Lakeside for Children was established as Lake Farm for Boys by William S. Dewing on September 30, 1907. By the spring of 1908, 55 acres of farmland were purchased on the shores of Whites Lake just south of downtown Kalamazoo. The population of boys on campus slowly grew after 1908 and by 1942 numbered 42 ranging in ages from 6 to 16. The average were orphans, but others that were abused and neglected, or those from poor families that could not care for them.

In 1877, William G. and Jane Tuttle Dewing (William S. Parents) opened the Children’s Home, later renamed Dewing Hall for Young Girls. Located in a building in the Vine Neighborhood it later merged with Lakeside in 1963

In October 2005, the organization took on the name Lakeside for Children. In 2007 the board narrowed the focus to just 12 to 18 year olds. At one time children were sent to schools in the Kalamazoo Public School System. Later classes were held on-site provided by KPS. In 2020 Lakeside closed permanently.