When I traveled through the small town of Otter Lake located between Lapeer and Birch Run I noticed an old water tower standing above the trees on the other side of the lake. It seemed strange that the water tower was so far away from the town. I found out that next to the water tower was the old American Legion Childrens Billet. It was an orphanage built in the 1920s for orphaned children. During the 1940’s it was used as a tuberculosis sanitarium. After the cure was found in the late 40s, it was changed back to an orphanage. Through the years many children lived and grew up in the billet next to the lake until was closed in the 1970s. The property is currently privately owned and used as a treatment center for addictions. Unfortunately, it’s is not accessible to the public.
P.S. If you are wondering about the term billet like I was, the dictionary describes it as A place, especially a civilian’s house, where soldiers are lodged temporarily.
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