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The Lapeer State Home has been a large part of the history of Lapeer County since its beginnings in 1895. After starting with three buildings and housing for 200 patients, the facility grew to encompass several hundred acres and, at its peak, accommodating over 4,000 patients. The history of the home includes a variety of memories from staff members, patients, and visitors who once walked its halls. Images of America: Oakdale: The Lapeer State Home provides a journey of this historic institution and attempts to bring some clarity to questions that remain about the home and its past.

The town of Hanover, chartered in 1761, began as a sleepy, idyllic community nestled in the Upper Connecticut River Valley. In 1770, noted Connecticut minister Eleazar Wheelock chose to relocate his school, Dartmouth College, to a virgin wilderness corner of the struggling young township. In spite of hardships, within several years Wheelock and his small college had taken root on the Hanover Plain, joining together with the local community that would come to be known as the "Village at the College." Over the next two centuries, the college and the village would grow together in triumph and tragedy, rich in history and events, to become a special place revered by generations of alumni and residents alike.

Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast's Camp Alice Chester (CAC) on picturesque Booth Lake first opened its doors in 1924 after a successful fundraising effort led by Alice Chester, the first president of the Milwaukee Girl Scouts. Thousands have walked its well-worn trails, cooked over campfires, and slept in the tents and cabins. Swimming and boating activities have consistently been a major appeal for campers. The historic European-style lodge has provided a gathering place for community meals, folk dancing, dramatics, arts and crafts, and ceremonies through the decades. CAC is a unique setting where skills and confidence are strengthened and lasting friendships are formed. Since the fall of 1980, CAC has also been known as Alice Chester Center (ACC). The name change brought expanded year-round, staff-led opportunities for Girl Scouts and others to utilize it during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. Today, the accredited property encompasses 333 acres and features frontage on two lakes.