The History of Golf Manor Subdivision
The Burt L. Smokler Co. purchased a parcel of land to develop into a 300-home subdivision. The prices, 15 to 20 thousand dollars, and a good school system, made the homes a dream come true. The subdivision itself adjoined the brand new Clifford Smart Junior High School. At the corner of Union Lake and Commerce Roads was Union Lake Elementary School, and a short bus ride away, one high school, Walled Lake Central. One other junior high and perhaps four elementary schools comprised the Walled Lake System.
The homes had three designs: bi-level, ranch, and tri-level and offered as many as five floor plans, which provided the room needed as we averaged four kids per family. That’s approximately 1048 kids! We filled the schools without issue. From late 1959 through 1963, 262 couples with young children from infants to 12 years of age came to claim their dream.
The air was cleaner, the temperature was ten degrees cooler in the summer and twenty degrees colder in the winter. We had ice on the inside as well as the outside of our windows. Tiles which were loose, nails which had popped and caulking never completed, required a call to Leo, the liaison between builder and buyer. There were no storm windows or screens with the homes, so some of us bought wisely and others not so wise, but we all bought something. The first winters brought snows up to the garage roofs and with pregnant women in labor and gall bladder and kidney stone attacks, those needing medical attention were brought out to Commerce Road by toboggan to waiting ambulances. The loss of electricity during severe storms was disconcerting. Without it we had no light, no warm food and no water from our community well. We prepared for the next time with Coleman lanterns and stoves, powdered milk, canned soup, and lots of stick to the ribs oatmeal.
A small army of moms carpooled for swimming lessons in local lakes, art classes, babysitter instruction, gun club, rifle teams, Sunday school, bible school, preschool, and joined enthusiastically in room mothering, P.T.A., The Woman’s Auxiliary (the work horse of the Golf Manor Association). We had the best of the world and we held that world in our hands.
It was good! It was solid! If we worked hard, we could afford to give our kids the space to spread their wings, and that they might fly and set down roots on which to grow. They became doctors, engineers, nurses, draftsmen, managers, dentists, stock brokers, interior decorators, pharmacists, mechanics, advertising executives, accountants, attorneys, teachers, entrepreneurs, commercial designers, policemen, musicians, and firemen. I cannot for certain say, but I know of no actors or politicians.
The Village of Union Lake offered a little variety store, one family owned grocery, and a Kroger which we called a “super market”. There were two pharmacies, Clark and Vis, and you could call them in the middle of the night to get a prescription filled. The hardware stores and one lumber yard is where the men of our dreams and the dads of our kids could be found on weekends discussing and learning from one another the finer points of home ownership. What did we know?
We laid sod, planted seeds, trees, flowers and shrubs. We poured cement patios for our picnic tables and charcoal grills to rest on, made sand boxes and tree houses, anchored swing sets in cement and placed above ground pools in the back yards. We were her to stay. In spite of hard well water which clogged our water softeners, hard clay soil which broke many shovels, and septic systems which broke many a budget. We’ve built our dreams with bruised and bloodied hands, sweat, and tears of dissolution and laughter.
The trees and shrubs have become crowded, and the roots often invade our septic systems. The poured cement patios now cracked are mostly covered with wood decks and the well is capped and sealed as the “city” now provides water. The above ground pools are about all gone and in their place are a few shimmering waters of those in the ground. The pendulum is swinging back as our subdivision is again alive with the voices of the future.
We, the older residents, see in the Halloween parade, ghosts of our children hurrying from door to door. Thanksgiving becomes more important as we’re grateful for the friends and family we still have. The winter holiday brings the joy of hanging lights and festive greens and there are the shining faces of our grandchildren that glow with anticipation. The weather seems more hostile, but we are warmed by the memories of children caroling, hot chocolate, cookies, friends and neighbors now gone. We welcome spring which brings the rebirth of life and color to our landscapes and we begin the battle of the dandelion. We have admiration and respect for our newer community members. We know how hard you are working to make your dreams come true.
Your dreams recall for us the summers of our lives
In 1991 we decided we needed a larger home and combed the lakes area in our pursuit. There were new subdivisions starting up, there were small older areas close to a lake and there were subs so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. We didn’t feel comfortable in any of those areas.
When we came across Golf Manor our own childhood memories were revived. In the spring of ’91 we saw neighbors being neighborly, homeowners planting, painting, and sprucing up for summer. We saw the sidewalks, trees, and the park that we were used to seeing in neighborhoods gone by.
Having a 5 year old daughter was a major concern, playmates being an issue. Driving thru Golf Manor on a Saturday sealed the deal for us. We had never seen so many kids and we knew if we chose this sub our daughter would never lack for friends.
And so we found a home, moved in and began to do what our neighbors did. We planted, painted and started to spruce up. We got to know lots of neighbors and learned about the history of our sub from original homeowners who loved this place so much they have raised their families here and stayed. We love to walk through our sub every spring and summer to see what’s new. Somebody is always doing something new! We love to see the joggers, walkers, dog walkers, bike riders and baby strollers go by.
In fact, in the spring of ’93 we became one of those baby stroller walkers ourselves again. You know what they say – “new house – new baby.” God willing we will be here a long time too.
Coming Home Again
Growing up in Golf Manor I do not think I fully appreciated what a wonderful place this is to live. I spent many happy hours at the park and every year I looked forward to the bike parade and Ice Cream Social. As I return to living here after a 20 year hiatus, I look around and see so much good that has remained. The park, parades, picnic and our beautiful trees.
When I moved back with my children almost 8 years ago I was amazed at what an easy move it was. On 3 sides of me are neighbors I have known since my childhood. Everywhere I walk in this neighborhood I am greeted by new and familiar smiling faces. One of my favorite memories is a flood we had in the 70’s. We had rain and the drains were blocked. The streets were full of water and everyone was out walking and swimming in it. I even remember someone trying to raft down the street! We used to get some bad snow storms and the streets would be impassable. My dad would take his snowmobile and go buy groceries for us and the neighbors.
Transitioning to living in my parents’ house was easy. I never know what will trigger a memory. I was planting a garden a few years ago and I found Lego’s buried in the back yard right where my brothers and I had buried them. They washed off and look like new! One of my biggest surprises occurred when I was doing laundry. I discovered I could clearly hear everything that was said on the main house level from the basement. I remember how when I was a teenager my mom would always graciously leave me and my friends and go down and do laundry so we could have privacy…..
I lived in several states and homes in my 20 years away from Golf Manor. No matter where I travel I have found that the sight of a tri-level or any of the models in this neighborhood instantly makes me feel at home again, it centers me. It has been quite a gift knowing so many Golf Manor residents over the years. I look forward to meeting the ones I do not know. It is wonderful to be living in this caring community again.
Share Your Story
This history of the neighborhood plays a vital part in the identity of its residents. If you have lived in the neighborhood for many years, the neighborhood history is a heartfelt reminder of days gone by. If you have just come to call the neighborhood home, it is a way to learn more about the new community you have joined. We would love nothing more than to be able to share the history of the neighborhood with all who reside here.
If you are interested in writing a brief history of the neighborhood to share with the Golf Manor Subdivision website, please contact us at golfmanorsubdivision@gmail.com!