Torch Lake Township
Torch Lake Township's history has been linked both as a mid-passage through the Keweenaw Peninsula used by the Native American people and French fur traders and intimately connected with the Calumet & Helca and other mining interests of Houghton County.
Torch Lake was a point on an important overland route from L'Anse to Keweenaw Point. The Chippewa (Ojibwa) word for the lake was "wasswewin", which Father Baraga translated as "Torch Lake." The Chippewas (Ojibwas), using torches to see and attract fish, speared them at night. The French name for the lake, Lac du Flambeau, had the same meaning. the early part of the 1800's the American Fur Company had a post at L'Anse, and from that time on that the route north included stops at Torch Lake.
In recognizing the need for local government at the south end of Torch Lake, the Houghton County Board of Supervisors in July, 1886, approved the creation of Torch Lake Township; the only population center at this time was around the mills and smelter at Grover (renamed South Lake Linden in 1989 and renamed Hubbell in 1902).
Torch Lake Township today is on the southern shores of Torch Lake, along the Torch Lake River, southern Portage Lake and the Portage Canal to Lake Superior. It enjoys a long Lake Superior shoreline.
Elected Torch LakeTownship Offices
Torch Lake TWP Supervisor/Clerk
PO Box 429
Hubbell, MI 49934-0429
Office Name Supervisor Brian Cadwell - 296-9373 Township Clerk Karen Rovano
906-296-6091Township Treasurer Diane Zurcher - 296-0116 Trustees Lou Ambuehl - 296-1082
Denise Lepisto - 296-9383Constable none Meetings 7:30 pm
3rd Wednesday of month
2000 Census for Torch Lake Township
| Population | Males | Females | 65+ | under 5 | over 18 |
| 1,860 | 912 | 948 | 395 | 116 | 1,443 |
Election 2004 Results which affected township offices
Treasurer
|
Marlene Perreault (D) |
576 |
|
Denise Lepisoto (no party affiliation) |
426 |
Trustee
|
Susan Mickus (R) |
514 |
|
Elsa Mugford (D) |
565 |
|
Brian Cadwell (D) |
681 |