Welcome to Friends of Proud Lake.com
Proud Lake Camp originally belonged to the Montclair Hunt Club. There were ten members in the club.
President of the organization was H. B.Seymour, who now lives at 8162 E. Jefferson, Detroit. He also has a brother,
B.A. Seymour now living at 876 Edgemont Place, Grosse Pointe, who was a member. The original club house was an
octagon, 60 to 80 feet. Circling this large lodge were the eight cabins which served as bedrooms for the various
members and caretakers.
The club hired Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Oesterle (now living in Milford), as caretakers in
November, 1923. They served in this capacity until November 1945. Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Oesterle had recently come from Germany and
were well qualified for the position. Mr. Oesterle was a landscape gardener. Mrs. Oesterle had worked in tree planting
and reforestation in Germany. The beautiful growth of pine trees as you approach the building at Proud Lake was planted
by members of the Oesterle family in 1924-1925. Although the members of the club hunted small game such as rabbits,
squirrels, and ducks, they also enjoyed fishing at Proud lake. Members held stag parties every Thursday night at
the club. They also enjoyed weekends at Proud lake. To better accommodate their families and friends they decided
that each member be assigned a definite weekend to do their entertaining. This arrangement seemed to be most
satisfactory. The club purchased a buck and two does and kept them in an enclosure.
This project was under the supervision of the conservation department. Turkeys were also raised.
The club sold their holdings to the state conservation department in November, 1945. The huge lodge burned in 1947.