White Lake, Michigan is an unincorporated community in White Lake Charter Township, in the northeast corner of the Detroit Metro Region.
In Michigan, unincorporated communities do not have defined boundaries. Thus, in many cases, it can be difficult to define what is or is not in the community.
When it comes to White Lake, that can be doubly difficult because the township carries the same name. A logical assumption would be that it is located around the body of water with that name. However, township maps indicate that the body of water is adjacent to the township on the west, but excluded from it.
Often, that determination is made from the location of the post office, but the White Lake post office closed in 1910, although "White Lake" is a valid identifier for postal purposes. The National Weather Service has a White Lake office along White Lake Road, in the northeastern portion of the township, in the area of Crosby Lake, Robinson Lake, and Foley Lake.
One might presume that White Lake Road would lead to White Lake, but it passes through the northern part of the township, leading to the body of water by that name.
Wikipedia states that White Lake is centered around the intersection of White Lake Road and Ormond Road, which would correspond to the community that has developed along the eastern shores of the lake.
Some unincorporated communities in Michigan have defined boundaries through their designation as census-designated places, and these boundaries, although without legal status, are reflected in maps provided through Bing search. Although I do not see White Lake listed as a census-designated place, Bing maps does define boundaries for White Lake separate from that of the Charter Township of White Lake, as it would for a CDP.
These boundaries define to nearby areas as being part of White Lake. These include the area around the eastern half of the body of water named White Lake, which includes an area outside of that of the township. This area includes Stilson Lakes and some smaller bodies of water, north of M-59 (Highland Road).
These boundaries also include a larger area south and southeast of the first, with Cooley Lake Road being its southern boundary, and the Highland Recreation Area excluded, to the west. The Williams Lake Road serves as the eastern boundary, while its northern boundaries are broken. This area includes several lakes, the largest being Pontiac Lake, Oxbow Lake, Cedar Island Lake, and Brendel Lake.
Lacking confirmable boundaries, we will consider online resources representing governmental agencies, businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, or recreational opportunities that carry a White Lake postal address, or otherwise claim to be in White Lake, as being suitable for this portion of our guide.
Cities and villages within twenty miles of White Lake include Walled Lake, Milford, Clarkston, Keego Harbor, Wixom, Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake, Pontiac, Lake Angelus, Novi, Bloomfield Hills, Holly, Auburn Hills, Franklin, Ortonville, Birmingham, Bingham Farms, Farmington Hills, South Lyon, Beverly Hills, and Rochester Hills, although the unincorporated communities of East Highland, Seven Harbors, Highland, and Andersonville are within ten miles.
The area of the township was first settled by Harley Olmsted, who came from Monroe County, New York in 1830, and the first houses on the village site were built by Jesse Seeley and Cornelia G. Wyckoff in 1833.
A post office was established as White Lake on June 17, 1836, with Marfield Ludlow as postmaster. The office was renamed Mayville on June 10, 1840, but the Plainville post was changed to White Lake on May 29, 1841, and moved to White Lake, where it operated until January 31, 1910. From 1962 to 1976, the White Lake post office operated as a branch of Union Lake, which may currently be the case.
Prior to its settlement by European-Americans, the area was frequented by the Potawatomi, Ojibwa, and Ottawa people, who traveled and camped in the area.
The original White Lake Settlement was in the area of what is now Ormond Road and White Lake Road, the latter of which was a well-used Native American trail. A stagecoach line used the road to connect Grand Rapids and Detroit as early as 1836, making stops at the settlement. This portion of the township is now almost completely residential.
The former Oxbow Lake Village, along Elizabeth Lake Road near Oxbow Lake, was founded by Erasmus Hopkins, who came from Steubenville County, New York, in 1833. A post office was established there as White Lake Centre on June 11, 1873, with Ralph W. Hopkins as postmaster. The office was renamed Ox Bow on March 10, 1875, but was closed on June 29, 1901.
With twenty-one lakes in the township, the area offers several recreational and vacation opportunities today.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Offering goal-oriented riding lessons and equine training, with the objective that all clients will receive instruction focused on succeeding in their personal goals. The head trainer and assistant trainer are introduced. Fox River Farms also operates the Haverhill Equestrian Center on thirty-five acres in White Lake, Michigan, where it features two large outdoor rings and two large indoor arenas. Telephone numbers, email addresses, and an online contact form are provided.
https://www.foxriverfarms.com/
NWS Forecast Office Detroit/Pontiac, Michigan
Located along White Lake Road in White Lake, Michigan, the National Weather Service (NWS) office is part of the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, of the National Weather Service. Detailed forecasts are available from the site, including current hazards and conditions, radar, forecasts, climate and past weather, and river and lake forecasts. Publications and other text products, office contacts, and a blog are available.
https://www.weather.gov/dtx/
Catholic presence in the White Lake Settlement goes back to 1834, when the first settlers arrived, and the small chapel built by Irish immigrants in 1840 is believed to be the oldest existing frame Catholic Church building in the Lower Peninsula. By 1870, the chapel had become too small, so members traveled to Pontiac and Milford for services. However, after World War II, it was reopened, with a cement block foundation and electric lights added. A calendar of events and contacts are posted.
https://www.stpatrickwhitelake.org/
In 1855, Peter Voorhies acquired the property from the federal government. He sold it to Jacob Phoebe Smith in 1899, who sold it to Lewis E. Adams, who built the White Lake Inn, and has been a gathering place for customers who enjoyed its casual dining, weekend entertainment, volleyball, and outdoor sports, including a lakeside patio and bar. Located on Ormond Road in White Lake, Michigan, its address, a map, operating hours, contacts, a menu, and a calendar of events are featured.
https://www.thewhitelakeinn.com/
Situated on the North Bay of White Lake, a 540-acre body of water in northwest Oakland County, the seasonal campground offers seasonal and overnight camping sites with water, electric hookups, and hot showers, as well as a picnic area, bathroom facilities, a boat dock, boat slip rentals, and storage for boats, trailers, and RVs. An overview of the facilities and the lake, including the species of game fish in the lake, is provided, along with a gallery of photographs.
https://www.whitelakeparkandmarina.com/
In business since 1973, the White Lake, Michigan supermarket carries a full line of groceries, frozen foods, and dairy, as well as a wide variety of craft beer, fine wines, and liquor, and also includes a full-service deli using homemade recipes, Its address, directions, and a map are posted, along with telephone and fax numbers, a photo gallery, and its hours of operation, and a list of departments and services. An employment application may be downloaded from the site.
https://www.whitelakesupermarket.com/
White Lake Charter Township is in Oakland County, Michigan, on the northwest outskirts of the Detroit Metro Region. While there are no incorporated villages within the township, it does include the unincorporated communities of Oxbow and White Lake. The official township website features council agendas and minutes, codes and ordinances, the township master plan, election and tax data, and access to various forms and applications. Also included is a calendar of events.
https://www.whitelaketwp.com/