Chain of Lakes History

History of the Lakes

The Huron River Chain of Lakes have provided recreational opportunities for centuries.

Native American tribes fished the lakes for food and traveled them by canoe. In the 1800s, loggers floated timber down the Huron River using the lakes. In the early 1900s, cottages, resorts, and recreational camps were built along the shores of many of our lakes. People swam, fished, boated and held summer camps on the lakes.

After World War II, many more homes were constructed along the lakes and more people began to live on the lakes year-round. This resulted in ever increasing levels of activity on our lakes. For more history on the lakes go here History of the Huron River Chain of Lakes,

PBWOA (now known as HRCOLA) has been an active force on the lakes since the 1940s.  Articles about the history and activities of PBWOA (now known as HRCOLA) were covered by Riparian Magazine.  You can read the articles here.

Photo Credit: historypbw.org