Letter by Harold F. Gardner
This clubhouse was later remodeled by the Conservation Department and
then burned down a few years ago. At the time I camped there, from 1920 to about 1922, this property was part of the
Geigler Farm and to get down to the Landing it was necessary to pass through the Winterhalter Farm adjoining.
We fenced off a space on the riverbank at the landing and camped inside the fence enclosure. This was necessary
to keep cattle away and who came down the river to drink. On these camping trips I was accompanied by a brother-in-law
who owned one of the original Dodge Brothers Touring Cars and we were then able to drive from Detroit.
The Grand River paved road ended just west of Farmington and from there Grand River and Wixom Road was a rough,
dusty gravel road. After this property was sold to private parties for a clubhouse site we again moved back to
Proud Lake for camping and picnics. The Proud Farm had then been sold to a Dr. Mowers, who in turn rented to a
farmer who we knew only as “Tony.” For a small sum of money he allowed the general public to camp and picnic down at
the lake.