Something About Tekonsha

Brace yourself!

I wrote something about Millhorn's Michigan a few weeks ago. It reminded me of an issue I had with The Gargoyle in the Dump, John Bellairs's long-lost short story. Not familiar with this one? The story was published in Sept. 2015 as an ebook, and tells the tale of three young boys who find a talking gargoyle in the trash. Hijinks ensue.

During my initial reading, I remember a distinct sense of place within the story, but I had no clue where any of the action occurred. What city? Which state? On a recent rereading, the location revealed itself, and it's practically Bellairs's backyard. Note this line from the epilogue:

There was a little item in the Tekonsha Patriot-Chronicle, with the headline GARGOYLE TERRORIZES BRACE LAKE COUPLE, but no one paid much attention to it.

I should have paid more attention to it.

Tekonsha is a village in Calhoun County, south of Marshall and a bit west of Homer. The village sign and Wikipedia entry boast it's the birthplace of Talbert Abrams, famous as the father of aerial photography. According to Michigan Newspaper History, the Tekonsha Patriot likely began publishing around 1893. By 1936, Meredith G. Clark was the publisher, meaning it was probably still active when Bellairs was born.

The 70-acre Upper Brace Lake is also in Calhoun, County. Take Homer Road south of Marshall, turn right on 18 Mile Road, and the access just past Stuart Lake Road. For those of you keeping track of county lakes, Lyon Lake – where Mrs. Zimmermann had a cottage – is further south and a bit west of Brace Lake.

All said, these are more places to visit the next time you're attempting the John Bellairs Walk around Marshall.