Remembering Days at School Section Lake

Reading an article on the front page the Morning Sun newspaper about the first African-American settlers in Isabella County made me think about School Section Lake. As a boy our family would travel west of Mt Pleasant thirty five miles or so to the lake. Its a small beautiful lake with a large field stone concession building on the east shore. The building was a house or hotel many, many years ago. However in the 1960's is was a very cool concessions building. Inside they sold Schwann's ice cream treats, popcorn, soda, and candy bars. It was a special occasion to go to the lake, swim for hours, and then enjoy an ice cream sandwich and a soda.

Standing to the south of the concession building was and still is a historical marker. The sign describes the early Black settlers of the area. The text reads that Old Settlers came to the park at School Section Lake each summer for a family reunion.

On one quiet, sunny, summer afternoon I stood facing the lake and closed my eyes. I could hear the voices of the children playing, smell the food cooking on the camp stove, and I could picture the large family gatherings from the early part of the 1900's. I remember that moment like it happened today.

I encourage your to take a journey back in time and visit the oldsettlersreunion.com web site soon. Let me know what you discover on your visit.