Torch Lake Township, Houghton County, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Torch Lake Township, Michigan
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Location within Houghton County (red) with the administered portion of the Hubbell community (pink)
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 Torch Lake Township, Houghton County, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Torch Lake Township, Houghton County, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Houghton |
| Established | 1886 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 93.0 sq mi (240.9 km2) |
| • Land | 80.1 sq mi (207.6 km2) |
| • Water | 12.9 sq mi (33.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 741 ft (226 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,893 |
| • Density | 20.355/sq mi (7.858/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) | |
| Area code(s) | 906 |
| FIPS code | 26-80120 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1627170 |
Torch Lake Township is a special kind of local government area called a civil township. It is located in Houghton County in the state of Michigan. In 2020, about 1,893 people lived here. The township was created in 1886. It is one of the biggest townships in Houghton County by land size.
Torch Lake Township is surrounded by three large bodies of water: Torch Lake, Portage Lake, and Lake Superior. Part of the Baraga State Forest is also in the township, right along the shores of Keweenaw Bay. The township shares borders with Schoolcraft Township to the north, Osceola Township to the northwest, and Chassell Township to the southwest.
The community of Hubbell is the main town in the township. It is also where the Township Hall is located. The township even includes a mostly empty island called Rabbit Island. This 91-acre island is located offshore in Lake Superior.
Contents
Exploring Torch Lake Township Communities
Torch Lake Township is home to many small communities. Each one has its own unique story and features.
Local Communities to Discover
- Bootjack is a small community right on Torch Lake. It is a great spot for fishing and other fun water activities. It sits next to a place called Dreamland.
- Chickenville (sometimes called "Chickensville Location") is a community found along M-26. It is located between Lake Linden and Hubbell.
- Dreamland is a community on the east side of Torch Bay. It is mostly known for the Dreamland Inn. This inn was built in 1913 as a resort for visitors.
- Hubbell is a larger community that is partly in Torch Lake Township. The main Township Hall is located here. Hubbell is also on the M-26 highway.
- Jacobsville is a community on the south side of the Keweenaw Peninsula. It is famous for its old sandstone quarries. These quarries used to provide red sandstone for buildings all over North America and Europe. The town was named after John Henry Jacobs, who started the sandstone business.
- Linwood is a community located right next to Chickenville.
- Little Traverse is another small community within the township.
- Mellonsville is a community found along M-26. It is located between Hubbell and Tamarack City.
- Mud Lake is a community also located within the township.
- Point Mills is another small community in the township.
- Rabbit Bay is a community located on a bay of the same name. It sits on Keweenaw Bay, which is part of Lake Superior.
- Rice Lake is a community located on a lake also called Rice Lake.
- Senter is a community located about three miles east of Dollar Bay. It was named after a successful merchant from the 1800s, John Senter. This small town was once home to workers from the Atlas Powder Company. This company made dynamite for copper mines until the early 1960s.
- White City is a small area near Jacobsville. It is located where Lake Superior connects to the Portage canal. It was once a popular resort area in the early 1900s. It had a roller coaster and a merry-go-round. Today, it is a park with a pier and a lighthouse.
Geography and Fun Places to Visit
Torch Lake Township covers a total area of about 93.0 square miles. Most of this area is land, with about 80.1 square miles. The rest, about 12.9 square miles, is water.
Exciting Attractions and Parks
- The White City Park is a popular outdoor area in the community of White City. It is located along the Portage Waterway. The park has a beach, swings, and picnic areas. You can also find a boat launch, barbecue grills, a pier, and a lighthouse here. The beach is kept clean by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
- Rabbit Island is a special island in Lake Superior. It is part of the township, even though it is three miles east of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The island has never been built on and is protected for nature. It also hosts the Rabbit Island Residency. This program allows artists to live on the island during the summer.
- The historic Jacobsville Finnish Lutheran Church is a very old building. It is recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1886, its simple design shows how many people used to live in the Jacobsville area.
- The Lake Linden—Hubbell Forest is a large forest area. It is owned by the local Lake Linden—Hubbell School District. This 400-acre forest is great for hiking and cross-country skiing. It also has a special area for archery and a log cabin. You can even find many geocache sites here.
- The Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entrance Light is a lighthouse located inside White City Park. It was finished in 1919. This lighthouse is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The "Ernie" Poisson Memorial Park is a community park in Hubbell. It is about 7.3 acres in size. The park has a boat launch, docks, and a beach area. There are also picnic tables, a pavilion for small gatherings, and swings for fun.
Understanding the Climate
Jacobsville, a community in Torch Lake Township, has a climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. This type of weather is common in this part of the world.
Who Lives in Torch Lake Township?
In 2000, there were 1,860 people living in Torch Lake Township. These people lived in 740 households, with 523 being families. Most of the people living here were White (98.98%). A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. Some people were also from two or more races.
Many families lived in the township. About 26.6% of households had children under 18 living with them. Most households (59.9%) were married couples. The average household had about 2.40 people.
The population had a mix of ages. About 22.4% of people were under 18. About 21.2% were 65 years old or older. The average age in the township was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were about 96 males.
The average income for a household in the township was $35,893. For families, the average income was $43,077. About 9.8% of the people in the township lived below the poverty line. This included 15.3% of those under 18.
Images for kids
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The sign for Chickensville Location
