LAMONA BEACH

"Dedicated to the use of the Public" by the Houghton Lake Syndicate; 1928
Home     Where is LaMona Beach?     Lake Videos     Lake Web Cams     Vintage Houghton Lake     See the Plat Map     MDOT Traffic/Construction     The Lake Weather     LaMona Beach Blog      
History of the first LaMona Beach Structure
THE LAMONA LODGE
  
The first structure erected in LaMona Beach was the Lamona Lodge (pictured above) it still exists today at the end of Tomahawk.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

HISTORIC LAMONA BEACH

 

LaMona Lodge photo donated by the grandson of the man who built the original LaMona Lodge

and is dedicated to his fond memories of his childhood at the LaMona Lodge

where he spent time with his grandfather as a child.  If you look closely you can see his

grandmother standing in the window on the

far right of the photo.

 
In the beginning there were a total of 5 structures,
Including the lodge pictured here
2 structures on Cheyenne and the 1on Cherokee
 
Originally there WERE NO structures along the beach.
The beachfront structures were not erected until a few decades after the dedication.
 
 
 

History of the

HOUGHTON LAKE SYNDICATE

 

Capital Stock certificate donated by Jessica from Escanaba whose family was one of the original Houghton Lake Syndicate founding families. 

 

The HOUGHTON LAKE SYNDICATE were friends primarly from the Detroit and Flint or areas who came together to create a resort on Houghton Lake to vacation to. 

 

The Syndicate was founded February 23, 1928 and dissolved in 1931, maybe for an oil and gas merger, with corporate offices at the Flint P Smith Building in Flint. 

President:  Mr. EG Smith from Swartz Creek. 

VP:  Mr. I.N. Latchaw of Lansing. 

Sec/Treasurer:  Mr. William Arbuckle from Flint.

 

The owner of this certificate was Miss Permelia Miner, believe to be single and childless all her life along with her sister Cornelia Minor.  These ladies are Jessica's great aunts and were from the Flint and Detroit areas.  One of these original ladies is still alive today.  Jessica's uncle Charlie Minor who owned a pharmacy in Detroit is believed to have gifted capital stock certificates to the ladies. 

 

 

 

 
THE INTENT OF THE FOUNDERS
 
The accounts coincide of the party who donated the original stock certificate and the party who donated the photograph of the original lodge, for safe keeping with theLaMona Beach Historical Club.   The original intent of the founders for LaMona Beach was that it was formed to be a RESORT formed by a group of friends out of the Genessee County and Detroit areas to vacation at and play.  People could buy into the resort by purchasing property and visitors were welcome at the Lodge.   LaMona Lodge was where everyone who visited the resort gathered.  The Lodge originally had a long bar with a toasty fireplace made of beautiful fieldstone (still intact).  There were two long porch areas for lounging.  It was a lively place on the weekends.
 
Originally there were no houses along the beach and the area bordering the beach was all wooded with beautiful tall pines.  The beach was originally intended for everyone who owned or visited the LaMona Beach resort and those people had to walk through some little trails through that patch of beautiful woods (where the beachfront houses now stand) with their towels in tow to get to the beach. On the other side of the woods was a long and deep stretch of beautiful sandy golden beach framing Houghton Lake's grand waters.   The beach itself has ALWAYS been sandy and beautiful - never swampy.
 
There was an small sandy island across from the end of Cherokee Drive.  There was a short wooden walk bridge from the shore to the island.  This was a favorite picnicing and sunning area for visitors.
 
The original plat owners WERE ALL  BACKLOTTERS and they WERE ALL DOWNSTATERS and everyone that owned in or visited LaMona Beach as a resort used and shared the beach in an equal and respectful friendly way.   LaMona Beach was intended by the founders to be exactly and as generally as what the Syndicate dedicated it to be back in 1928:
 
LaMona Beach
"Dedicated to the Use of the Public"
1928; Houghton Lake Syndicate
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to do in the Houghton Lake Area BELOW 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAMONA BEACH TODAY

 

LaMona Beach has been verified as high as Michigan Court of Appeals to be preserved for the public,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lamona Beach Slideshow
Pause Stop Previous Next View full-sized photos

 

The Roscommon County Court created a win-win situation on LaMona Beach ruling LaMona Beach to be a public beach, preserving the public rights and the valuable dedicated access of the LaMona backlot owners.  The public cannot be prevented from using the beach or the water with the only limitation being that whatever is brought to the beach has to be removed at the end of the day, as no one including beachfront houses, can leave personal property on the public beach. 

 

The Court also awarded beachfront houses in LaMona Beach to be riparian where the water begins again in that they only have the right to place docks, boats, and hoists in the water in front of their property. 

 

The court declined to address the issue of the beach area opposite the area of the road-end other than to observe that the road ends at the beach and so it is the use of the beach.

 

Bottom line ... everyone needs to be neighborly and respectful and SHARE on beautiful LaMona Beach.

 

WHAT TO DO IN THE HOUGHTON LAKE AREA

 

                                    

 

The Houghton Lake area features 3 primary lakes: Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake, and Lake St. Helen.  Houghton Lake is Michigan's largest inland lake with over 32 miles of beautiful shore line and 22,000 acres of sandy bottom water.  average depth of Houghton Lake is approximately 8 feet, with the deepest spots being approximately 22 feet.  Higgins Lake was described by National Geographic as one of the 6th most beautiful lakes in the world. Higgins Lake is a kettle lake with gorgeous emerald colored shoreline contrasting a depthly center lake.  Beautiful Lake St. Helen is the childhood home of Charleton Heston with a stretch of lake in this quaint northern MI community still preserved in his name.

 

Located in the center of Michigan's lower peninsula, Houghton Lake is easily accessible by the two main north-south corridors; I-75 (exit 227) to the east and US-27 (exit M-55) to the west.

Houghton Lake enjoys a rich cultural history and is recognized for its many top rankings by the State:  2nd in combined area of natural/artificial lakes and ponds, 3rd in number of miles designated for off-roadvehicle trails, 7th in number of natural heritage sites and 9th in number of historical attractions open to the public.

 

Whether you are dining at Houghton Lake's historic landmark restraunt - the restraurant with the big fish outside - Coyle's Restraurant 

  

  Or spending an evening socializing at the Frog Tiki Bar after a gourmet dinner at the East Bay Grill / Springbrook Inn

 

QUAINT LITTLE RESTAURANTS & SHOPS    

  

  

EXPLORING THE PAST

 

     Historical Village

  

CCC - Civilians Conservation Corps Museum   "More than 100,000 young men worked in Michigan's forests during the Great Depression and lived in barracks like this. See how "Roosevelt's tree army" served the state, creating a legacy that we enjoy today."

 

 

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS


 

Fireman's Memorial Festival      Home of Tip-Up Town USA, Winter festival on the lake since 1951,        The Pumpkin Run custom car show;  

 

Pumpkin Patch Party              power boat, jet ski, motorcycle and snowmobile  races; dinner theatre; music festivals; craft shows; and more!   

 

 

    FISHING    

 

Houghton Lake's sparkling water covers 22,000 acres and is filled with northern pike, walleye and large and small mouth bass. Its huge weed beds team with pan fish too; bluegill and crappies offer great sport to fishermen year round. Ice fishing rivals summer fishing to make Houghton Lake a true four season fun area for the entire family.    

 

CAMPING & HAYRIDES 

Roscommon County is abundant with campgrounds making it a great place to bring the kids or grandkids, such as North Higgins Lake State Park       

 

 

SNOWMOBILING   Snowmobiling in Houghton Lake is like a visit to a winter playground. Houghton Lake is the center for numerous snowmobile trails.   

 

ATV & ORV TRAILS     View the Roscommon County Trail Map  of over 80 miles of groomed state land trails.

 

 

 

HIKING

 Marl Lake Hiking Trails at South Higgins Lake State Park offers 3 serene woods and wildlife trails ranging in length from 2 miles to 5.5 miles 

 

Hiking Trails at Margaurite Gahagan Nature Preserve  

 

 

 

  

 

 

SKIING   For the cross country enthusiast, located at Higgins Lake is the Cross Country Ski Headquarters with 8 Snowcat groomed trails 12 miles of trails with one lighted for night skiing. Ski lessons and rentals available. Day lodge with fireplace and picnic area/restaurant are available.

 

 

    HUNTING The approximately 175,00 acres of state land surrounding Houghton Lake offer a variety of cover to accommodate all types of hunting. County maps which identify state land are available at the Houghton Lake Chamber office. Houghton Lake’s businesses and residents welcome hunters, providing numerous sporting goods stores and an excellent variety of retail stores to satisfy all your equipment needs.

 

GOLF  

 

White Deer Country Club offers 18 holes of relatively open, flat play with enough obstacles to challenge both the new and seasoned golfer. Large greens, four water holes and a tree in the green on #3 are a few of the challenges to experience at this resort-style course, as well as a fine clubhouse with refreshments and snacks. Watch for the signs on M-55.

 

Pineview Highlands sits 150 feet above Houghton Lake. This 18 hold golf course offers the most spectacular lake views. The well maintained, watered, and contoured fairways are surrounded by 60 to 100 year old red and white pines. The clubhouse offers sandwiches and refreshments with a pro shop and reserved tee times are also available. Pineview Highlands is located at M-55 across from the Elks Lodge.

 

 

   SWIMMING – BOATING – WATER SKIING - TUBING-

Being the largest inland lake in Michigan, Houghton Lake has long been renowned for its excellent water sports. With its relatively shallow waters near shore and sandy bottom, Houghton Lake can be enjoyed by the experienced and non-swimmer alike.

 

 CANOOING             WIND SURFING

 

 

 

A WEDDING DESTINATION   Every year brides and grooms flock to Houghton Lake to bind their lives in an "up north" wedding on the romantic shores of Michigan's largest inland lake - Houghton Lake.  Whether amongst the romantic waves along Houghton Lake's beautiful shore or nestled in a serene setting amongst the grand northern Michigan pinesm, or anything inbetween, Houghton Lake is the perfect place to make your "Up North" themed wedding your perfect day. 

  

 

ATTRACTIONS

 

Visit the summer Indian Pow-Wows at Zublers,               the Merritt Raceway     the Houghton Lake’s Historical Village 

 

 

 

  the DNR Wildlife Gazebo and Fishing Platform       .    Relax and Enjoy a movie at Houghton Lake's historic Pines Theatre

displaying numerous wildlife mounts .

 

  Take a short ride to the Ogemaw Nature Park near St. Helen. The Nature Park is open to the public, exhibiting penned deer. The park also offers a picnic area for your relaxation.

 

 

  Experience the past at Wellington Farm Park near Grayling. The park is a working replica with many special events of typical mid-American 1930's farmstead - rural mid-America during the Great Depression.   
 

 

Cindy Lou's Petting Zoo                 BLODGETT MEMORIAL AIRPORT 

 

 

AMUSEMENT PARKS AND PUTT-PUTT GOLF

 

Spend a day at the FUNLAND AMUSEMENT PARK        has watrslides, a token arcade, batting cages, go-carts, harness trampoline, small rides and water boats.

 

LAKELAND RECREATION has miniature golf, a haunted house, go-karts, batting cages, bumper cars, moonwalk, power wheels (3-6 yrs) and boats, an arcade, pool tables, foosball, and a food court.

 

              PIRATES COVE PUTT-PUTT GOLF  

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
...