The following document was commissioned by the Orion Township Library Board.  Written by Paul M. Scott, and published in 1976, this book provides a history of Orion Township from its founding in 1818.  This document is considered by many local historians to be the most complete compilation of historical evidence to date.

Paul Scott loved history and integrated his passion with his continual civic activities.  He was a village councilman (the youngest one ever), gave countless presentations on Orion history at the library, and for scout and school groups, and, together with Pat Warfield, started the North Oakland Genealogical Society.

Paul moved to Lansing in 1980 to get a degree in city planning and immediately became immersed in Lansing civic affairs.  In 1994 he returned to Lake Orion to address the first organizational meeting of the Orion Historical Society.  His message to OHS members spoke passionately of his connection to Orion and its past.

Paul’s death in 1998 took many by surprise but left our community with a memory of someone who made a difference for the future of Orion.  In the year 2000, the Orion Historical Society’s Legacy Award was awarded posthumously to Paul in honor of his contributions.

The version contained here has been retyped by Alice Young and Sara Van Portfliet of the Orion Historical Society.  The photos for the graphics contained herein have been provided by Mike Sweeney. It has been offered on this site with permission for free download.  You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader software to open the printable version.  Please select the link below if you do not have this software.