Detroit Finnish Co-operative Summer Camp

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Coordinates: 42°32′55″N 83°31′3″W / 42.54861°N 83.51750°W / 42.54861; -83.51750
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Detroit Finnish Cooperative Summer Camp Association
Detroit Finnish Co-operative Summer Camp is located in Michigan
Detroit Finnish Co-operative Summer Camp
Detroit Finnish Co-operative Summer Camp is located in the United States
Detroit Finnish Co-operative Summer Camp
Location2524 Loon Lake Rd., Wixom, Michigan
Coordinates42°32′55″N 83°31′3″W / 42.54861°N 83.51750°W / 42.54861; -83.51750
Area76 acres (31 ha)
Built1926 (1926)
Architectural stylewooden summer camp
NRHP reference No.06000723[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJanuary 25, 2007
Designated MSHSOctober 16, 1997[2]

The Detroit Finnish Cooperative Summer Camp Association is a camping facility located at 2524 Loon Lake Road in Wixom, Michigan. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1997[2] and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.[1]

History[edit]

In about 1906, a group of Detroit-area people of Finnish descent formed the Detroit Finnish Educational Association to preserve and share the traditions of their native land.[3] The Association members participated in communal summer activities, often renting beaches and parks for camping and swimming.[3] In 1925, the Association formed a committee to select a permanent spot for the group's outdoor activities. After some searching, the committee selected the present site, and formed the Detroit Finnish Cooperative Summer Camp Association as a separate organization, open to anyone who was "of Finnish descent, Finnish speaking, of good character and [living] in the Detroit area."[3] In June 1925, the Summer Camp Association purchased this land with the purpose of constructing a permanent summer camp .[2] The first sauna was constructed in 1926, and the dance hall in 1927.

Description[edit]

The Detroit Finnish Cooperative Summer Camp Association, fondly known as “Finn Camp”, is set on a wooded property along Loon Lake, and entirely surrounds the smaller Sun Lake.[2] The property is bounded by Loon Lake, the Hickory Hill Golf and Country Club, the Detroit Finnish Cooperative Summer Camp Association subdivision, and the Loon Lake Estates subdivision.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d "Detroit Finnish Cooperative Summer Camp". Michigan State Housing Development Authority: Historic Sites Online. Archived from the original on August 27, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "ELMER'S STORY (from – 50th anniversary book)". Detroit Finnish Cooperative Summer Camp Association. Retrieved August 13, 2013.

Further reading[edit]

  • Detroit Finnish Co-operative Summer Camp Association (1975), 50th anniversary, 1925-1975, Detroit Finnish summer camp

External links[edit]

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