Moon Valley (Independence Township, Michigan)

Moon Valley is located in the southern end of Independence Township in Oakland County, Michigan, United States. It comprises most of section 32 on the northern base of Waterford Hill.[1]

Moon Valley
Geography
Coordinates42°42′50″N 83°24′44″W / 42.71389°N 83.41222°W / 42.71389; -83.41222
RiversClinton River, Greens Lake

Formation

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Moon Valley was formed during the retreat of the last continental glacier, approximately 14,000 years ago.[2] As they retreated, the glaciers left behind debris, called moraines, and valleys. The retreating glaciers also formed numerous lakes.[3][4]

History

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In 1854, Stephen Moon (1823-1909) came to Independence Township, Michigan from Palmyra, New York and was the first to settled in a valley on the northern side of Waterford Hill along the Saginaw Trail (now Dixie Highway). His tract of land was in section 32 of the township. There he established a 120-acre stock farm where he raised sheep, hogs, cows and fowl.[5]

Moon's son, Melvin C. Moon (1854-1933), eventually took over ownership of the farm and ran it until 1910. The valley became known as "Moon Valley"[6] and the farm was subdivided and today consists of a residences on Maple Lane and a commercial district along Dixie Highway.[7]

Geography

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The Clinton River winds its way around Moon Valley and through Greens Lake, a 117 acres, 55 foot depth lake which borders the western side of the valley.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Historic Map Works, Residential Genealogy ™".
  2. ^ "atlaslayout.aug.30c.fm" (PDF). usgs.gov. USGS. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Map and Download 7148 Lakes in Michigan to your GPS | Maps of all 7148 Lakes in Michigan (Topo maps, street maps, aerial photos)".
  4. ^ "Oakland County MI Lakes - LakePlace.com". lakeplace.com. Retrieved 2022-10-02.
  5. ^ "Independence Township, Clarkston, Whipple Lake, Walters Lake, Mill Pond, Atlas: Oakland County 1896, Michigan Historical Map".
  6. ^ "Melvin C. Moon |". Archived from the original on 2016-08-04. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
  7. ^ "Independence Township, Clarkston, Whipple Lake, Walters Lake, Mill Pond, Atlas: Oakland County 1896, Michigan Historical Map".
  8. ^ "Independence Township, Clarkston, Whipple Lake, Walters Lake, Mill Pond, Atlas: Oakland County 1896, Michigan Historical Map".