Albert Kahn Helps Countryside Improvement Association

The Countryside Improvement Association, as reported in the Summer newsletter (Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society), is celebrating 75 years of philanthropic activity in West Bloomfield. One of their 1920 projects, as reported by Gail Smith, occurred when…” it was brought to our notice that the (Detroit) Free Press Fresh Air Camp very much needed a suitable place for the children to eat. The first reaction to this was an appropriation of one hundred dollars, but just prior to paying this amount, our president made a personal visit to the damp and realized that wind and rain and clouds of flies just isn’t an added comfort when one is eating, and resolved that if the organization was assuming this responsibility, it must be done worthily. So we rallied to the challenge and began planning ways and means of raising the money. Dancing parties at the club, card parties everywhere, bake sales, etc. This went on until we had a sufficient sum to make a start toward an attractive, screened, and convenient mess hall, the plans having been donated by Albert Kahn. Mrs. Kahn was a member of the association. On July 10, 1920, we dedicated the building and named it Humphrey Hall, (now Sylvan Lake Community Center) after Miss Humphrey, who had given much of her time and thought to the carrying on of the work begun by Mr. Arthur Mosely at an earlier date.” And coincidently, the Kahn’s daughter, Rosalie Butzel, has just donated to the society, Albert’s street and name sign for his famed “Summer Cottage”. (1917-1968, located on the north side of Walnut Lake) along with a 3 story hand-carved bird house constructed by Mr. Hamlin, a conductor on the Farmington-Orchard Lake Interurban line, caretaker of the Campbell complex on Apple Island (1902-1905), and father of Winford Hamlin, Albert Kahn’s caretaker for forty years, who is himself quite a crafty woodworker. It was Winford, you may recall, 93 years young, that gave us a working model of the water-barrel cart and Apple Island ferry at the last annual meeting of the Society.

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-334

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Smithson

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-333

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Smithson

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-332

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Smithson

gate of West Bloomfield, Indian Trail – Orchard Lake

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-331

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Smithson

gate of West Bloomfield, Indian Trail – Orchard Lake

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-330

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Smith

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-329

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Skae

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-328

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Schultz

gate of West Bloomfield – Pontiac Trail

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-327

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Schultz

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-326

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Schultz

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-325

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Schultz

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-324

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: cabinet, photograph

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-323

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: cabinet, photograph

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-322

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: cabinet, photograph

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-321

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Schultz

gate of West Bloomfield, Commerce Road – Green Lake

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-320

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Schultz

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-319

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Schultz

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-318

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: cabinet, photograph

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-317

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: map

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-316

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Schultz

gate of West Bloomfield, Comfort Road – Walnut Lake

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-315

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Schultz

gate of West Bloomfield, Commerce Road – Green Lake

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-314

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Schultz

gate of West Bloomfield – Old railroad track.

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-313

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: cabinet, photograph

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-312

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: postcard

gate of West Bloomfield, Commerce Road- Green Lake

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-311

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: postcard

gate of West Bloomfield, Middlebelt – Walnut Lake

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-310

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: postcard

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-309

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: postcard

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-308

Collection: Walnut Lake
Subjects: postcard

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-307

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Rogers

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-306

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Rogers

gate of West Bloomfield, Walnut Lake – 1990

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-305

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Rogers

gate of West Bloomfield, Walnut Lake Road

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-304

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

gate of West Bloomfield, Commerce Road – Green Lake

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-303

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

gate of West Bloomfield, Commerce Road – Green Lake

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-302

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

gate of West Bloomfield, Commerce Road – Green Lake

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-301

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

gate of West Bloomfield, Commerce Road – Green Lake

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-300

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-299

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-298

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-297

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-296

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-295

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-294

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-293

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-292

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: postcard

gate of West Bloomfield

Gate of West Bloomfield

Object ID: 2002-001-291

Collection: Gates of West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

gate of West Bloomfield, Pontiac Trail- Upper Straits Lake

Thornberry Sign

Object ID: 2002-001-290

Collection: Businesses
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin, sign

Thornberry Sign

West Bloomfield Nature Preserv

Object ID: 2002-001-289

Collection: Nature, Parks
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin, sign

West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve Sign

Royal Pointe sign

Object ID: 2002-001-288

Collection: Businesses
Subjects: photographic, print, Ribolin

Royal Pointe subdivision sign

West Bloomfield Town Hall

Object ID: 2002-001-287

Collection: Businesses, West Bloomfield
Subjects: postcard

West Bloomfield Town Hall located on 4460 Orchard Lake Road (Summer of 1975)

Late Frank Loyd Wright’s house designed and built by one of

Object ID: 2002-001-286

Collection: West Bloomfield
Subjects: postcard

Late Frank Lloyd Wright’s house designed and built by one of his contractors- torn down. Bloomfield Glen, West Bloomfield.

Bloomfield Glen

Object ID: 2002-001-285

Collection: Walnut Lake
Subjects: postcard

Bloomfield Glen, West Bloomfield. Late Frank Lloyd Wright’s house.

Bloomfield Glen

Object ID: 2002-001-284

Collection: Walnut Lake
Subjects: postcard

Bloomfield Glen, West Bloomfield. Late Frank Lloyd Wright’s house.

Gen. Frederick Strong

Object ID: 2002-001-283

People: Strong, Frederick S.

Collection: Apple Island, Biography, Orchard Lake, Ward
Subjects: postcard

General Frederick Strong at the West Bloomfield Bicentennial Celebration

WB – Bicentennial

Object ID: 2002-001-282

Collection: Officials
Subjects: photographic, Prince, print

West Bloomfield Bicentennial Celebration

WB – Bicentennial

Object ID: 2002-001-281

Collection: Officials
Subjects: photographic, Prince, print

West Bloomfield Bicentennial Celebration

WB – Bicentennial

Object ID: 2002-001-280

Collection: Biography
Subjects: photographic, Prince, print

West Bloomfield Bicentennial Celebration

WB – Bicentennial

Object ID: 2002-001-279

Collection: Officials
Subjects: photographic, Prince, print

West Bloomfield Bicentennial Celebration

WB – Bicentennial Chorus

Object ID: 2002-001-278

Collection: Officials
Subjects: photographic, Prince, print

West Bloomfield Bicentennial Celebration featuring the chorus from a methodist church in Keego Harbor

WB – Bicentennial

Object ID: 2002-001-277

Collection: Officials
Subjects: Pelletier, photographic, print

West Bloomfield Bicentennial Celebration

WB – Bicentennial

Object ID: 2002-001-276

Collection: Officials
Subjects: Pazik, photographic, print

West Bloomfield Bicentennial Celebration

WB – Bicentennial

Object ID: 2002-001-275

Collection: Officials
Subjects: Parmenter, photographic, print

West Bloomfield Bicentennial Celebration

Civic Center Dedication

Object ID: 2002-001-274

Collection: Officials
Subjects: Oswald, photographic, print

West Bloomfield Township Civic Center Dedication (September 16, 1976)

Civic Center Entrance

Object ID: 2002-001-255

Collection: Nature, West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print

Civic Center Entrance, Looking South (August 10, 1976).

Civic Center Dedication

Object ID: 2002-001-273

Collection: Officials
Subjects: Oliver, photographic, print

West Bloomfield Township Civic Center Dedication (September 16, 1976)

Civic Center Dedication

Object ID: 2002-001-272

Collection: Officials
Subjects: Noble, photographic, print

West Bloomfield Township Civic Center Dedication (September 16, 1976)

Civic Center Dedication

Object ID: 2002-001-271

Collection: Biography
Subjects: Noble, photographic, print

West Bloomfield Township Civic Center Dedication (September 16, 1976)

Civic Center – Dedication

Object ID: 2002-001-270

Collection: Officials
Subjects: Noble, photographic, print

West Bloomfield Township Civic Center Dedication (September 16, 1976)

Civic Center – Dedication

Object ID: 2002-001-269

Collection: Officials
Subjects: Noble, photographic, print

West Bloomfield Township Civic Center Dedication (September 16, 1976)

Minnow Pond Marker

Object ID: 2002-001-268

Collection: West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print

The Minnow Pond marker on the Southeast corner of 14 Mile Road and Halstead.

Dedication of Flag Pole

Object ID: 2002-001-267

Collection: Officials
Subjects: photographic, print

Dedication of Flag Pole at Bloomer Park

Dedication of Flag Pole

Object ID: 2002-001-266

Collection: Officials
Subjects: Morley, photographic, print

Dedication of Flag Pole at Bloomer Park

Dedication of Flag Pole

Object ID: 2002-001-265

Collection: Officials
Subjects: Morley, photographic, print

Dedication of the Flag Pole at Bloomer Park

Dedication of Flag Pole

Object ID: 2002-001-264

Collection: Officials
Subjects: Morley, photographic, print

Dedication of the Flag Pole at Bloomer Park

Flag Pole Dedication

Object ID: 2002-001-263

Collection: Officials
Subjects: Miller, photographic, print

Dedication of the Flag Pole at Bloomer Park

Flag Pole Dedication

Object ID: 2002-001-262

Collection: Officials
Subjects: photographic, print

Dedication of the Flag Pole at Bloomer Park.

Civic Center – Bike path

Object ID: 2002-001-261

Collection: Nature, West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print

Civic Center, Looking west – Bike path grading to Green school drive (August 20, 1976).

Civic Center – Bike Path Exten

Object ID: 2002-001-260

Collection: Nature, West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print

Civic Center, Bike path extension west to West Bloomfield Lake Subdivision entrance (August 20, 1976)

Civic Center – Looking West

Object ID: 2002-001-259

Collection: Nature, West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print

Civic Center, Looking west along Walnut Lake Road north R.O.W. – Entrance paving in progress (August 20, 1976).

Civic Center – Bike Path

Object ID: 2002-001-258

Collection: Nature, West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print

Civic Center, Looking east – Bike path to Green school from top of old house site (August 20, 1976).

Civic Center – Fill Covering O

Object ID: 2002-001-257

Collection: Nature, West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print

Civic Center, Fill covering old house foundation just west of Green school (August 20, 1976)

Civic Center – Looking East

Object ID: 2002-001-256

Collection: Nature, West Bloomfield
Subjects: photographic, print

Civic Center, Looking east from entrance – Bike path along Walnut Lake Road (August 10, 1976).

Civic Center – Bike Path

Object ID: 2002-001-254

Collection: Nature, West Bloomfield
Subjects: Laarman, photographic, print

Civic Center, Looking West – Bike Path along Walnut Lake Road (August 10, 1976).

Civic Center – Slag Walk

Object ID: 2002-001-253

Collection: Nature, West Bloomfield
Subjects: Kahn, photographic, print

Civic Center, Looking North – Slag walk construction (August 10, 1976).

Civic Center Road

Object ID: 2002-001-252

Collection: Nature, West Bloomfield
Subjects: Kahn, photographic, print

Civic Center Road, Parking Lot and Road, Ditch – Looking North Note Drain in the Foreground (July 30, 1976).

Civic Center – Rough Grades

Object ID: 2002-001-251

Collection: Nature, West Bloomfield
Subjects: Kahn, photographic, print

Civic Center, Looking Northwest over Rough Grades – Road and Parking Lot (July 30, 1976)

Civic Center – Looking South

Object ID: 2002-001-250

Collection: Nature, West Bloomfield
Subjects: Howard, photographic, print

Civic Center Entrance, Looking South to Walnut Lake Road (July 30, 1976)

Civic Center

Object ID: 2002-001-249

Collection: Nature, West Bloomfield
Subjects: Howard, photographic, print

Civic Center Entrance, Parking Lot – Looking North (July 30, 1976).

Civic Center – Road Grading

Object ID: 2002-001-248

Collection: Roads, West Bloomfield
Subjects: Hiller, photographic, print

Civic Center, Road Grading betwen Parking Lot and Walnut Lake Road, Looking West (July 30, 1976).

Civic Center – Walnut Lake Rd

Object ID: 2002-001-247

Collection: Roads, Walnut Lake
Subjects: Higby, photographic, print

Civic Center, Looking West on the North Shoulder of Walnut Lake Road at Entrance (July 21, 1976)

Civic Center – Bike Path Site

Object ID: 2002-001-246

Collection: West Bloomfield
Subjects: Haskins, photographic, print

Civic Center, Looking East From Entrance, Bike Path Site (July 21, 1976).

Civic Center – Tree Saved

Object ID: 2002-001-245

Collection: West Bloomfield
Subjects: Haskins, photographic, print

Civic Center, Looking North at Entrance, Ash Tree on Left to be Saved (July 21, 1976).