Although the city of Clarkston, Michigan, was incorporated in 1992, we can trace its roots all the way back to the 1800s. The first home was built in 1832 by a settler from New York named Linux Jacox. The area was platted by the Clark brothers, whom the town was named after, in 1842. The Village was named a Michigan State Historic site in 1976 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It was named a historic site because of its historical significance and architecture. There are many well-preserved Queen Ann-style homes as well as Colonial Revival, Gothic Revival, Stick Style, and Greek and Tudor Revival. The 800 or so residents are proud to claim the founder of the Ford Motor Company and industrialist Henry Ford, actress Valerie Bertinelli and musician Kid Rock as their own.
Don’t overlook this quaint town just because it sits on a little over half a square mile. For over 20 years, the DTE Energy Music Theatre has been named the most attended amphitheater in the country. Due to the expiration of the naming rights and coinciding with its 50th anniversary, the facility is going back to its original name, the Pine Knob Music Theatre. The 15,000-plus seat arena is hosting a celebration in the summer of 2022. Since 1972, there have been over 3,100 events here, including the recording of Peter Frampton’s Live In Detroit album.
The small city does not lack big family entertainment. Independence Oaks County Park is the largest park in the county. There are 12 miles of trails, a beach, an archery range, boating, fishing, etc. Camp Wilderness offers group overnight camping for youths, while The Wint Nature Center has interactive exhibits and Scout Badge Days.
Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard Resort cater to beginners and experts alike. Their certified instructors teach the ins and outs of snowboarding and alpine and telemark skiing. Telemark is a combination of Alpine and Nordic styles. The facility was named Best of the Best 2021 by the Oakland Press Reader’s Choice Awards.
Rated as the #1 outdoor attraction in Clarkston is the 27-hole Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club. Surrounded by miles of forest, the course is as relaxing as challenging. Club events include culinary wonders from around the world. The Champagne Shoot Out features French cuisine and bubbly, and Margaritas and Golf offer Tex-Mex. There is also the Tour of Italy and Flavors of the South.
Clarkston is the place to be if you have an appetite for the paranormal. Resident Chip Carlson has been experiencing otherworldly phenomena since moving into his mid-1800s-built home in 2015. There have been doors opening on their own and words written in German appearing on the bathroom mirror. Incredibly, Stephen Harlton had similar experiences in the house 20 years earlier.
For more pleasant memories, there are experts at Kenney Landscaping. We can professionally install pergolas, gazebos, and patios that add to your property’s serenity. Fire features like fire pits and fireplaces have been proven to have a calming effect on us. For your outdoor living space needs, contact Kenney Landscaping.