Michigan State Historic Site - The James B. Dutton House

Michigan State Historic Site - The James B. Dutton House

Meet the James B. Dutton House in Lapeer County—an 1863–1864 Italianate home on the National Register, known today as the Calhoun Apartments. National Register Road Trip, Lapeer County Edition: Stop #2 — The James B. Dutton House (aka the Calhoun Apartments)

Michigan State Historic Site - The Joseph Armstrong House

Michigan State Historic Site - The Joseph Armstrong House

Start a fun Lapeer County history series with the Joseph Armstrong House—an 1887–1888 Queen Anne / Victorian home on the National Register in Lapeer. National Register Road Trip, Lapeer County Edition: Stop #1 — The Joseph Armstrong House

Inside the Lapeer Area Chamber of Commerce

Inside the Lapeer Area Chamber of Commerce

A clear look at why chambers exist and what the Lapeer Area Chamber does—events like Lapeer Days, the Spring Expo, Food Truck Fest, networking, and business support. What the Lapeer Chamber Really Does

Lapeer Optimist Club: Youth in Focus

Lapeer Optimist Club: Youth in Focus

An in-depth look at the Lapeer Optimist Club—its history, major fundraisers, and how it supports Lapeer County youth through scholarships, events, and local giving. Lapeer Optimist Club: Youth in Focus

Lapeer State Game Area History

Lapeer State Game Area History

A local look at the Lapeer State Game Area—its roots before state ownership, how it was assembled, and how people use it today for hunting, wildlife, and quiet walks in Lapeer. Lapeer State Game Area: the “big woods” hiding in plain sight

When Vacation Plans Include Your Pet

When Vacation Plans Include Your Pet

Pets are a part of our family and are frequently included in our vacation plans. If you are traveling with your pet this summer, it is important to plan ahead, allow extra time for travel, and be prepared for an emergency.

The Turners — Love in Motion, Community at Heart

The Turners — Love in Motion, Community at Heart

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when love, purpose, and passion collide in one dynamic family, look no further than Chris and Penny Turner of Potter’s Lake. Their journey is a storybook that starts with meeting in high school at Lapeer West, separated by life’s winding roads, only to reconnect decades later through a Facebook photo of a granddaughter. That one spark ignited a flame, and in 2022, they sealed their story in a lakeside wedding at home, surrounded by the people they love most. From Arizona’s red rocks to the blue waters of Barbados, their adventures together mirror the depth and excitement of their shared purpose back home.

Part 1 of 7 - Origins & Vision: The Birth of Oakdale State Home (1893–1895)

Part 1 of 7 - Origins & Vision: The Birth of Oakdale State Home (1893–1895)

Discover how Oakdale began in 1893 with big promises of care and reform, shaping Lapeer’s history as Michigan’s home for the “feebleminded.” In the summer of 1893, Michigan lawmakers gathered in Lansing to debate a growing social dilemma. Across the state, poorhouses were overcrowded, jails were taking in people who hadn’t committed crimes, and families were overwhelmed with the care of loved ones who suffered from epilepsy or intellectual disabilities. The prevailing belief of the era was that these individuals could be “trained” to live useful lives, but if they could not, they should be cared for—and contained—in a special setting.