When the new Community Services Building is dedicated on May 24, [Ed. update: the dedication eventually took place on June 28] the Upper Torch Lake Association will place a time capsule in the cornerstone. I thought you might like to know a little about the contents, so I posted the list on a special Time Capsule Page. Here’s a little about one item, a newspaper clipping about the delivery of our very first fire truck.
During the 1940s the Upper Torch Lake Association launched a public subscription to establish a fire service in the township. By December of 1946, the Eastport firehouse was under construction, and the Association took delivery of its new fire truck, a two-ton International that carried its own 430-gallon water supply. President Paul Woll posed at the wheel for this Record-Eagle photo.
As construction of the Eastport firehouse wouldn’t be finished until spring, the truck was housed temporarily at Klooster Implement in Atwood. Two firemen had already completed fire school, and were promptly named temporary fire chief and assistant fire chief. (Another ten had been recruited, but “None of the others were ready to go to this first course.”) They were eager to begin service, and residents were instructed in proper procedures :
In case of fire, call “Ellsworth 11-F-13”. This is the fire chief, John DeYoung’s phone number for day or night. If no answer, then call Ass’t. fire chief, Hans DeYoung, at “Ellsworth 11-F-31”. Do not call collect. Tell the operator that this is a fire call and she will clear or cut off any busy line during the emergency. DO NOT call Paul Woll or Klooster’s Implement Co.
Something to think about in an era when we take cellphones and 911 service for granted!
Torch Lake Views 
Babs Young
March 28, 2008
Just a little more on UTLA’s President Paul Woll. Paul Woll was the developer and first owner of Blue Heaven (1 mile south of Eastport on Torch Lake). He built 12 cottages there in the early 1940’s and sold the “resort” to Tom Lucas in 1949. Tom eventually sold all the properties to various folks in the late 1950’s after deciding that making the “resort” provide a good living was not going to happen. Blue Heaven still exists and the sign is there although each cottage is now individually owned.
Gerry Sell
March 30, 2008
Thanks for adding that bit of Blue Heaven history, Babs. Do you know if Paul Woll or Tom Lucas lived to see Blue Heaven become an established neighborhood?
The stories of the old cottage developments are pretty interesting. I’d like to learn more about Eden Shores. The folks who laid it out in the 1920’s would be astonished to see it now! Actually, I’m astonished myself.
Sherry
August 26, 2008
Bob Seger sang a song called “Fire Lake”. Yrs ago while on the sandbar, my husband and I met a man that told us that Bob was referring to Torch Lake and he at one time had a boat on the River. True or false?
My husband’s ashes are there right where he asked to leave them. I have nothing but fond memories of this beautiful place.
Gerry Sell
August 26, 2008
Hi Sherry – Only Bob himself (and maybe Punch) would know the truth, but he sure has a lot of connections to this part of the state, and it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if “Fire Lake” is Torch Lake. I’m sorry for your loss, and glad that you have the fond memories.