Residents attach a strong identity to the 750-acre all-sports lake they flock to for recreation that their community long ago unofficially took the lake's name as its own - Whitmore Lake.

Officially speaking, the lake community that straddles Livingston and Washtenaw counties on the east side of U.S. 23 is not a munipipality but a part of Northfield Township. However, the school district, post offfice and Chamber are named after Whitmore Lake. The Whitmore Lake community has grown from a rural vacation getaway destination to a four-season residential, retail and recreational community. The area offers several restaurants, a variety of retail and service business, a motel and much more.

All eyes have turned their attention to the area where a lifestyle mall, several restaurants and big box stores have opened just north of Whitmore Lake.

The Northfield Township Downtown Development Authority continues to imporve Whitmore Lake's beauty and walkability with improvements in roads, walkways, benches and more. The improvements, coupled with special events, have been drawing more people into the business district, helping local businesses to thrive.

Despite the growth and planned changes, Whitmore Lake officials and residents have not lost sight of what makes this community so special - it's small-town atmosphere and its friendly, caring people - and they will work to maintain that attractive atmosphere through positive growth experiences.