When Oakdale finally closed its doors in September 1991, it marked the end of nearly a century of institutional care in Lapeer. For decades, the institution had been a city within a city—employing thousands, housing generations of residents, and shaping the economy and identity of Lapeer County. But after the last residents left, the sprawling property stood eerily silent, its purpose erased almost overnight.
The question then became: What would happen to the vast grounds and the history embedded in its walls?
The Sale of the Land
Shortly after Oakdale’s closure, the state sold 400 acres of the campus to the City of Lapeer for just $1. This transfer was symbolic—an effort to return the land that had defined Lapeer’s history for so long back to the community. Some portions were redeveloped, while others sat unused for years, the empty buildings slowly deteriorating.
But the campus was far too large to maintain without purpose. The state began a systematic demolition program, removing most of the cottages, workshops, and dormitories between 1992 and 1996.
Demolition of a “City”
The demolition of Oakdale was a poignant time for former staff and local residents. Entire neighborhoods of buildings were torn down. Hallways where staff once cared for children and adults were reduced to rubble. For those who had worked there for decades, it was like erasing a lifetime of memories.
Yet some structures were spared from the wrecking ball. Building #45, which had served as the nursery, was repurposed into Mott Community College’s Lapeer campus. Building #71, part of the administration complex, was renovated and became the Chatfield School, a charter school for elementary and middle grades.
What Remains Today
Walking the former Oakdale grounds today, little remains of the once-massive institution. Scattered across the property are small relics of its past:
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The Oakdale Cemetery, where more than 1,000 residents are buried, many with only numbered markers instead of names.
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Cupolas salvaged from demolished buildings, now displayed as historical markers.
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A dolphin statue from the administration building that found a second life in downtown Lapeer.
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Small pieces of playground equipment and landscaping, ghostly echoes of a bustling community.
For those who know where to look, subtle details still reveal the outlines of a campus that once spanned over 1,000 acres.
Remembering Oakdale
Although the physical institution is largely gone, Oakdale’s story lives on through the memories of former staff, residents’ families, and the community. The Lapeer Historical Society and Lapeer District Library preserve photographs, newsletters, and artifacts. Each year, local groups hold cemetery tours, where guides share the stories of residents who never left Oakdale.
There are also films and books that keep the history alive. The 1962 documentary A Wind is Rising offers a rare glimpse inside Oakdale during its final decades of operation. The book Oakdale: The Lapeer State Home by William Fromwiller and Ron Gillis collects oral histories, photographs, and personal accounts of life inside the institution.
For some, these efforts honor the care that Oakdale provided. For others, they serve as a solemn reminder of the people who lived and died there, often without ever experiencing life beyond the institution’s walls.
A Complicated Legacy
Oakdale’s legacy is complex. It provided shelter and stability for thousands who might otherwise have been abandoned. It gave steady work to generations of Lapeer families. Yet it was also a place of control and confinement, where residents lost their freedom and, in many cases, their ability to decide their own futures.
Today, when people drive past the grounds where Oakdale once stood, they might see a school, a community college, or simply open land. But for those who remember, Oakdale is more than a place. It is a story—of care and control, progress and mistakes, community and loss.
Key Details from Part 6
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After Oakdale’s closure in 1991, 400 acres were sold to the City of Lapeer for $1.
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Most buildings were demolished 1992–1996, erasing much of the campus.
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A few buildings were repurposed, including Mott Community College and Chatfield School.
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The cemetery, cupolas, and relics like the dolphin statue remain as historical reminders.
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Annual cemetery tours and historical collections preserve Oakdale’s memory today.
Sources for This Article
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Oakdale: The Lapeer State Home by William Fromwiller & Ron Gillis
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Lapeer Historical Society archives and cemetery tour records
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The County Press reports on Oakdale’s demolition and land transfer
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Michigan Department of Mental Health closure documentation
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Lapeer District Library Oakdale Gallery
Teaser for Part 7: Reflections on Oakdale’s Legacy
Oakdale’s story is more than just buildings and policies—it’s about how society viewed disability, care, and community for nearly a century. In the final chapter, we’ll reflect on Oakdale’s place in Michigan history, what it taught us about institutional care, and how its legacy continues to influence today’s conversations on human rights.