My Genealogy Hound

THE CITY OF PONTIAC.

Pontiac, the judicial seat of Oakland County, Michigan, stands upon ground that less than 100 years ago was occupied by a frontier Indian trading post. That men now living fought the wild beasts of the wilderness and fled from the savage Indians where the roar of traffic and the heavy clang of the iron wheels of mills and factories driven by the dynamos never then dreamed of, is marvelous indeed, and a history of this wonderful change should be interesting not only to the fortunate residents of Pontiac, but to those who watch the star of the empire westward take its way.

With the exception of Detroit, no other city of the State of Michigan has been more closely identified with the early history of this section than Pontiac. In 1819 the first white settlers came, a trading post having been established in the previous year, and a government post office was located at this point. For many years prior to the coming of the whites, this had been the chosen home of a powerful tribe of Indians, and in honor and commemoration of their famous chief, the new town was named Pontiac. In 1820 its advantageous location made it the county-seat and for a long period it was the only trading point of importance for hundreds of miles. A stage route was established in 1822 and the population rapidly increased in this beautiful and fertile section. It became a center for men of enterprise and energy, whose opportunities were confined in the East, and in 1837 it was incorporated. In 1861 it secured its charter as a city, the beautiful location and healthful climate having attracted sufficient population. From that time until the present, Pontiac has steadily increased in wealth, population and importance.

From its earliest days education has occupied the attention of the citizens. The Oakland Chronicle, the first newspaper in the State published outside of Detroit, was born here, in 1827, which later was merged into the Detroit Free Press. The present educational system is carried out along modern lines and the handsome school edifices compare favorably with those of any other city in the country. In addition to the public school system, the healthful location of the city has made it a most desirable point in which to establish private schools, a number of which are in a most prosperous condition. The famous Michigan Military Academy is located at Orchard Lake, within five miles of the city. Here, too, have been located various charitable institutions, the healthful and invigorating air being conducive to health, and the beautiful scenery and surroundings, to moral reform.

Situated as it is, near the source of the Clinton River, its location is almost in the center of the lake district of Oakland County, thus enabling its citizens to enjoy delightful rural surroundings, beautiful drives and inspiring scenery. This natural location has had an effect upon the residents of the city as may be evidenced in the wide, well kept streets and carefully tended lawns, the boulevards resembling those of the most highly praised cities of Europe. Hence it is a charming place for a home and the many elegant private residences testify that taste and wealth are prominent factors here.

Pontiac also is distinguished as a manufacturing city, its products including the commodities most useful in modern life, and there are few civilized spots upon the earth where some of them have not reached. Particularly is this the case concerning vehicles and the latest inventions in this line of transportation promise to carry the name of Pontiac still farther.

Since the organization of the Pontiac Land & Improvement Company in 1891, the beauties and advantages of this city have become more generally known to the outside world, and a most wonderful growth of population has taken place during the past few years. To accommodate this, electric lines of railway have been built, new systems of water and sewerage have been introduced, metropolitan features have been added to hotel life, and now, with a population of 12,000, Pontiac, the whilom Indian post in the wilderness, stands at the head of a long line of brilliant, delightful, enterprising and prosperous cities.

A legacy from the late Hon. Byron G. Stout made possible a fine new library building, while social and literary clubs fill every demand for intellectual or pleasureable occupation. The 500 lakes of Oakland County surround the city and afford attractions for the sportsmen and charming sites for summer homes. Pine Lake, situated very near, is one of the most noted, and is a lovely sheet of water, with a hard gravel beach. Orchard Lake lies immediately west of the city and gained its name from a famous apple orchard on an island in its center, the orchard dating from Indian days. Other lakes in the near vicinity, on the banks of which are erected private residences and palatial club houses, are: Cass Lake, Sylvan Lake, Timber Lake, Otter Lake and Pickerel Lake, all beautiful in their own way and filled with gamey fish. As a summer resort, Pontiac possesses every attraction, while as a permanent home it possesses all those things which bring peace, plenty, health, wealth and contentment.

The poet Wordsworth found his muse inspired by the beautiful lake region in which his home was found, and Pontiac, too, has had a bard who not only has written appreciatively of her beauties, but, as in the succeeding lines, has permitted himself to be also facetious.

PONTIAC

Selected from “Original Miscellaneous Poems” by the well known character and poet, Robert McCracken, published in 1877. By courtesy of J. E. Sawyer.

I am an old man, I am something in years —
I have traveled the country far and near;
For wealth and for wisdom I always did lack —
But I’ll make a few verses for Pontiac.

It’s a place of great business — a grist and a mill,
Two blacksmith shops and a whiskey still;
A factory, too, to make cloth for the back —
And this is the village of Pontiac.

The miller is Buckland, a very good man,
If you don’t take a bag you’ll lose your bran —
But the weight of your flour you seldom do lack —
And this is the custom at Pontiac.

Two taverns, a merchant, and a hatter likewise —
And who can a village like this despise?
They have two doctors, a transient quack —
These are the physicians of Pontiac.

And as for their ‘squires, upon my soul,
There’s Gideon O. and Sidney Dole;
They’ll issue a warrant to slap on your back —
A h — 11 of a place is Pontiac.

And there’s a man that lives over the bridge,
Nearly half-way to the top of the ridge;
He’ll run with a summons, the night ne’er so black,
He’s some officer’s bum of Pontiac.

And there is the hatter, I’m sure he’s no fool,
He’ll make you a hat of the coarsest of wool,
Tuck in a few hairs that he shaved from a rat,
And sell it for beaver, in Pontiac.

There stitch with his needle, he sets on his board,
He says he works cheaper than he can afford —
But for silk and for trimmings you always do lack,
And this is the tailor of Pontiac.

The carpenter says he will build you a house,
So close and so snug it won’t harbor a mouse.
But when the work’s done you’ll find a great crack,
And these are the joiners of Pontiac.

They won’t work for less than ten shillings per day,
A quart or three pints of whiskey, we’ll say,
And for all this great wages, at business they’re slack,
They spend half their time in Pontiac.

And there’s old McCrackcn can make a good broom,
For weaving of baskets his knees is his loom;
You’ll see him come down with a load on his back —
He supplies the people of Pontiac.

And there’s the stay merchant, he lives at his ease,
He’ll promise you anything, just what you please;
But give him the advantage, he’ll take the shirt from your back,
He’s the greatest rascal in all Pontiac.