“When a community loses its memory, its members no longer know one another. How can they know one another if they have forgotten or never learned one another’s stories? If they do not know one another’s stories, how can they know whether or not to trust one another? People who do not trust one another do not help one another, and moreover, they fear one another.” (Wendell Berry, What Are People For)
Everyone has a story. This page will link to memories for each person in the township who cares to share one.
Twala Wolfe and the Torch Crest Party Store
You’ll find other Torch Lake Memories in these archived posts:
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The Elk Rapids Schools oral history project:
- Stone Circle’s 25th season
- Cottages of Torch Lake: Harris Beach
- Betty Beeby’s Shady Adventures and a nod to Log Cabin Day
- An old-fashioned barn-falling
- A camel in Antrim County
- Eastport Baptist Church 125th Anniversary
- Mystery flag
- Letter from Norton: GAR emerges from mist
Other resources
There are some fascinating things on the Antrim County genealogy website, including photos, cemetery records and more.
What a wonderfull site… Torch Lake Views reflects the very soul of those of us who have been touched by the lore surounding this most beautiful lake and community. My Bennett family came to Antrim County way back in 1868 and now I represent the fourth generation.My Great Grandfathers Henry Bennett and Henry Dawson who traveled so many miles from Ireland to raise their families, break the Antrim soil, and view the lake views are now so honored too.
By: Bill Bennett on March 11, 2008
at 4:33 pm
Bill, thank you so much for your comment. I’d love to learn more about the Bennetts and the Dawsons, and to add links to their stories. I look forward to hearing any you’d like to share!
By: Gerry Sell on March 11, 2008
at 5:49 pm
I was looking for a true Traverse City (or surrounding area) pie to give as a gift. The name New York Cakes threw me. Had to look you up to make sure that these pies were truly from Up North!
By: T on July 4, 2008
at 6:38 pm
Well, T, what can I say – the Warners used to live in New York – thus the name – but these days they live in Eastport, and the bakery in Atwood is about as Up North as you can get this side of the Bridge. I really recommend the peach cream cheese bearclaws.
By: Gerry Sell on July 4, 2008
at 11:07 pm
It was great to meet you! I will e-mail you some *great* photos.
Thanks for arranging such a beautiful weather week for us. And young Joseph Toner was very distressed yesterday when we pulled into our driveway here in PA yesterday. It might have been the 12-hour car trip, or the fact that he realized we weren’t going to My Torch Ake anytime soon!
By: Beth Dunham (Toner) on August 18, 2008
at 11:09 am
Young Joseph is welcome back in Torch Ake anytime, along with you and the very engaging Viola. It was nice to meet you, too – I look forward to another installment of your memoirs, and to the great photos!
By: Gerry Sell on August 18, 2008
at 11:55 am
Speaking of preserving memories, I have a friend who has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. One of the items on her to do list is to go back to the area of Torch Lake where her family spent time many summers. What she remembers is staying in “Lila’s Cabins” and she thinks they were on the southern tip of TL. She thinks they have since been torn down and replaced by something else. I’d really like to take her back there for a few days. Does anyone have information about the “Cabins” and their location? Thanks so very much, Vicki
By: Vicki on September 24, 2008
at 11:42 am
Hello, Vicki. My best wishes to your friend as she tends her to do list. She should just get up here now — there are still some warm Indian Summer days, the lake is every shade of blue, and there are hints of color in the woods. To me, this is glory time, with lovely vistas, local food at the peak of perfection, and no crowds.
I don’t know of Lila’s Cabins, but perhaps other readers will, and I’ll ask around. There are a lot of amateur historians around here! Most of the summer cabins will be closed now, but there are other places to stay as a base, and lovely daytrips all around the lake. Ask your friend to tell you about all her summer memories – even show you old photos if she has them. Maybe it will help you to find Lila’s location, maybe it will help you find places to visit (Brownwood? Alden? Dockside?) – and maybe the memories themselves will be a comfort.
By: Gerry Sell on September 24, 2008
at 1:00 pm