Orion Township was approved by the Michigan Territory in 1835, the same year it was applying for statehood to the federation. Jesse Decker was the first Supervisor, drawing a salary of $2.00 a year. Walks to Flint to file property claims were not uncommon for Mr. Decker. He and his partners dammed Paint Creek in 1829 for their sawmill, and Lake Orion (previously 6 small lakes) was born.

Another settlement nearby, New Canadaigua, was eventually absorbed by Orion. The first public school was established in 1844 at Church and Anderson Streets, and the village, already well established, was platted and chartered in 1859. Even though a fire destroyed everything in 1862, the charter was reinstated by 1869 after zealous landowners rebuilt the town. The railroad opened the door to development in 1872 and the great resort era soon followed, with another incredible recovery in 1874 after a second devastating fire destroyed the business district.

The Orion Good News in 1876 was Orion’s first paper (today the Lake Orion Review), and telephone lines were installed in 1882.

The DeCou Cancer Infirmary contributed to Orion’s already well-known status. It was established by Dr. DeCou who, famous for his opposition to surgery, attracted patients from all over the country for treatment.

Orion was a popular stop for lumberjacks bringing lumber to Pontiac and Detroit. Drunken brawls were common, thereby developing a questionable reputation for Orion. Whether the town’s nickname “Dogway” came from this reputation, or whether it is a shortened form of Canadaigua, is disputed.

Lapeer Road was improved in 1916 and paved in 1929, and the automobile brought year-round residents to settle.