Now a housing development? No, maybe now a brownfield development, being cleaned up to become corporate offices.
The City of Auburn Hills Brownfield Redevelopment Authority apparently thinks Silverbell was near the north west corner of Adams and Dutton Rds. in modern Auburn Hills. They say it was purchased by Bookmeyer and Gardner in the early 1960′s as undeveloped land and built into Silverbell. The developers accepted fill; including foundry sand, scrap metal, and 40-gal drums; to increase the size of the hill. Silver Bell closed in the late 1960′s and part of the land was used as a landfill in the 1970′s, apparently without complying fully with then current and very lax regulations. The site has been dormant since the landfill closed in 1979.
Yvonne Gursin passed on a scan of a booklet she found in her grandfather’s papers. It was published in September, 1966 by Ritter Productions and called “Where to Go, What to Do On a Weekend.” It said the area had 5 northeast facing slopes serviced by 2 T-bars and 5 ropetows. They had night skiing, rentals, a ski school directed by Kurt Ramel, a skating rink, a two storey, glass and timber lodge with two “massive” fireplaces, dining room and cafeteria, and nightly dancing in the tavern. They had parking for 2300 cars. This assessment is shared by the AAA 1966 Guide to Winter Fun in Michigan printed in The Cass City Chronicle on Feb. 3 of that year.
The booklet places the area at 4385 Bald Mtn. Rd., west of the road. This is about 1000 ft. south of Dutton Rd. and 1 mi. south of E. Silverbell Rd. The satellite shows a large brown field with heavy equipment marks and the topo map shows no remains of any elevation. This location is about 1.5 mi. west of the location listed by the city.
On Dec. 20, 1969, the Silverbell Ski Lodge in Pontiac (sic) was scheduled to host a concert featuring Fleetwood Mac, backed by (among other groups) Pink Floyd. Steve Burrows, who played keyboard for the Mushrooms remembers playing at Silver Bell. Bob Seger apparently played Silver Bell several times in 1967-69. At least one person remembers Silver Bell as being on Bald Mtn. Rd. which would agree with Ms Gursin’s booklet.
If you have any memories of skiing (or concerts) at Silverbell, please post them or send them to us using the instructions on the About MILSAP page like Yvonne Gursin did.
My first concert experience was Spencer Davis Group@ Silverbell. You had to be 16yr. to get in. Inside the hall, you find yourself body to body, yet able to enjoy the closeness of the band playing. I remember Steve Winwood dropped his microphone stand on the first row of people. They popped it back up to him and the band never missed a beat. Steve Winwood is an incredible musician. I always felt fortunate that I able to experience the Silverbell scene. I remember the glow of the roaring fire that destroyed an incredible ski resort and a most popular rock and roll hang out for us children of the 60′s. What a beautiful place Silverbell resort was!!!
Lynn, I was at the same concert and thoroughly ENJOYED it; lived out in Commerce and it was quite a distance to go for a concert. I also enjoyed concerts at Mt Holly. Thanks for the Memories of SILVERBELL! Dan Goff
I went there several times during high school. It wasn’t far from my house. Going east on Silverbell, we turned left onto Bald Mountain Rd. For the life of me, I can’t remember who we saw there. We were more interested in who was attending, than who was playing!
I do remember the corner of Adams and Silverbell was the site of a fatal accident for a classmate going home from the Ski Lodge.
Dave from Clarkston, saw Bob Seger System on New Year’s eve for $3 each! Awesome!
I saw Bob Seger at Silverbell in 1968. I stood about 3 feet away from him as he sang Heavy Music. I can still see him as the young man he was.
Link to a list of concerts at Silverbell from 1966 to 1970:
http://www.motorcitymusicarchives.com/silverbellhideout.html