Hadley Hills, Michigan

The mass of rough terrain in the southern part of the Hadley Township, Michigan known as the Hadley Hills has provided much romance in Hadley's history. The area includes some of the highest hills in south eastern Michigan (Pinacle Point, Michigan) and from their tops one has a spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Its winding one-lane roads would lead an unknowing driver into an experience he would never forget. In 1898, Professor Holms rode his bike over the hadley hills a feat never done by man before.

Years ago young man took their "best girls" for buggy rides on the hills on Sunday afternoons. Later with the coming of the automobile many of the roads became "Lovers Lane". Today snowmobilers, horseback riders, and dirt bikers, and hiking groups use the roads which have now became trails.

One hill reached today by a narrow trail (and lots and lots of mud) called Jasmond Road was part of the estate of the late William Neer during the 1920s. Mr. Neer served as a president of the Detroit STOCK Exchange and was the exclusive owner of the Tom O'Shanter Country Club. He spent his summers there (at Hadley Hills that is).

Buildings on the estate included a magnificent cottage and several smaller buildings scattered AbOUT the grounds. The cottage had its own electric light plant, a luxury which Hadley residents were not accustomed.

In 1926, a recreational lookout was built on the top of Pinnacle Point by Edwin Seelbinder. Mr. Seelbinder was the caretaker of the estate. The lookout was most unusual building made of logs and timber the six-sided figure was twenty-four feet in diameter and had a massive fireplace which stood sixteen-feet-high. There were windows on all sides. Inside, each of the six walls had a kerosene lamp. Materials for the lookout were hauled in by horses and an old Ford Model T truck.

Mr. Neer entertained many guest at the estate. Neighbors always knew when he was entertaining because he hung lanterns down the mile-long driveway to the cottage. At Halloween he would decorate the drive with ghosts and Jack-o-lanterns and other scary symbols of the day. Recreation activities included toboggan slides.

Mr. Neer lost most of his wealth in the Great Depression of 1929 and was no longer able to afford the luxury of the Hadley Estate. During World War II rumors directed to the German people how settled near Hadley Hills. The rumors, of course, were all false.

In 1946, the state of Michigan bought the property. The lookout burned to the ground by arsonists in 1949 and through the years all of the other buildings have been destroyed. Today only the old stone foundation of the lookout remains and it is slowly crumbling to the ground. From that old fireplace one can see as far as Flint, Michigan on a clear day.

References

This article is from the historical scrapbook of the Hadley Township of 1984.