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Sites:
29. EVERGREEN DRIVE, at Twelve Mile Road west of the railroad tracks. The F.W. Clawson Land Company in 1902 planted approximately 1500 trees in the city. The stately spruces are still enjoyed today. 30. RED RUN GOLF CLUB, Northeast corner of Rochester & Twelve Mile Roads. 137 acres of T-shaped property, started about 1907. On the famous Red Run Shield is a five pointed star, a symboi of Red Run's part in pioneering golf in America. In 1918 it was enlarged to an 18 hole golf course. 31. WINDMILL, Lakeside Drive & Main Street, north of 12 Mile Road. In 1911 Rudolf Hagelstein dug the well, under contract to Anthony Dondero & in 1923 was made into a Dutch motif. In 1930 a generator was installed that provided electricity for the big house and the out buildings. Changed to be run by elec- tricity in 1960. Struck by lightning in 1974 and rebuilt in 1975. 32. "CHAMPION" OAK TREE,126 E. LaSalle. The largest oak tree measured in Royal Oak, using the American Forestry Association formuia, during a prolect sponsored by the Royal Oak Beautification Council in 1968. Girth 150"' Height 94.7' Spread 101', (269.9 pts.) 33. ORSON STARR HOUSE, 3123 N. Main Street, one block south of 13 Mile Road. This two story, ten room house was built in 1845 by animal bell manufacturer Orson Starr. Five generations of the Starr family lived there. This second oldest remaining house was obtained by the city in 1976 with Community Development Funds. 34. JOHN ALMON STARR HOUSE & REMNANT OF THE SAGINAW INDIAN TRAIL, 3123 Crooks Road at 13 Mile Road. One of the oldest remaining homes made of Starr bricks. Saginaw Indian Trail remnant may be seen as a depression passing northwestward under the house. Stand on the northwest corner of Crooks Road and Essex Street and look northward. See State Historic Marker and bronze plaque on boulder marking Indian Trail.
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35. CHASE'S CORNERS (STARR CORNERS), Thirteen Mile and
Crooks Road area. Settled in the 1830's, some of the original
buildings still stand today. This was the center of community
activity in pioneer days. The first store in the Township was
opened by Daniel Chase in 1826. One of the first post offices
was located in this store. 36. MEMORIAL PARK & ENGLISH OAK GROVE, Woodward Ave. and 13 Mile Road. Twenty-five acres with athletic and picnic areas. In 1949 the 47 young trees from the acorns (planted in 1937) of the Royal Oak Tree of England located near Wolverhampton, England were transplanted to this site as a living memorial to the men from this area who gave their lives in military service. This site is known as the "English Grove." Twenty trees formed the outer circle and the entrance path to the Great Oak Circle. The inner circle was planted with the other twenty seven oaks. Dedications, June 26, 1936, Sept. 2, 1941, March 8,1948 & Sept.19,1960. Named: October 22,1945. 37. N.J. OUICKSTAD PARK, Marais Ave. between Normandy & Lexington Bivd, north of 13 Mile Road. 31.5 acres, dedicated August 29, 1955. Two of three major kinds of forests in Michigan, beech-sugar maple on high ground and the elm ash silver maple on the low swampy ground. Nature trails. Named after a Royal Oak school superintendent. Maps available at City Hall. Also, see the Hessel W. Tenhave Woods, the work of Frederick W. Penney. 38. OAK TREE, Northeast corner Normandy Oaks Golf Course. Tallest tree, 96.3 feet. Measured in 1968 by the Royal Oak Beautification Council. 39. PIONEER PARK & HISTORICAL MARKER, West side of Woodward Ave. on block north of Normandy Road. "During the early summer of 1818 the first white men to systematically explore this region camped near this spot on the first night they spent in what is now Oakland County...". This land was acquired by the city in 1949. The Royal Oak Historical Society erected a monument plaque in 1948. 40. CUMMINGSTON PARK, Leafdale and Torquay Ave. north of 14 Mile Road. Twenty three acres of woods and trails. Serving as a wild flower sanctuary. Dedicated Sept. 1925. Named after the Cummings family July 30,1956. Maps available at City Hall. *41. "LITTLE STARR" SCHOOL, 1730 W. Thirteen Mile Road. Northwest corner of Thirteen & Crooks. This fine two-room brick building was built in 1919 in what was known as School District No.2. The quaint school house housed grades 1 to 8. [Gone!] EARLY INDIANS TRAIL (see map and Indian Trail Walk module) Indian trails existed throughout the area when the first white settlers came in 1819. Paint Creek Trail, a route used by Indians from the shores of Lake Huron, is now known as Rochester Road. Saginaw Trail twisted and turned out of Detroit to Pontiac and beyond. A part of this trail is now Woodward Ave. |