Welcome to Benzonia Township
Welcome to Benzonia Township
Benzonia Township Calendar
We have added a new feature to the Benzonia Township website. Our new calendar will have all meeting and event dates marked. When you click on any highlighted dates, if available, you will be able to see the details of the meeting or event and links to the pertinent documents for the meeting. For example, meetings will have Agendas and other materials relevant to the topics to be discussed.
Benzonia Township Calendar
We have added a new feature to the Benzonia Township website. Our new calendar will have all meeting and event dates marked. When you click on any highlighted dates, if available, you will be able to see the details of the meeting or event and links to the pertinent documents for the meeting. For example, meetings will have Agendas and other materials relevant to the topics to be discussed.
What’s Happening!
Benzonia Township Request for Proposals Legal Services
Benzonia Township invites qualified attorneys or law firms licensed to practice in the State of Michigan to submit proposals to provide professional legal services. The Township seeks experienced municipal legal counsel to advise the Township Board, officials, employees, and appointed boards and commissions.
Proposals must comply with all requirements set forth in this Request for Proposals (“RFP”). Click the button below to review.
Submissions are due by April 30, 2026
Lawn Maintenance 2026
Quotes are requested for the 2026 mowing and trimming season for 2717 Benzie Hwy (US-31), Benzonia.
Submissions must include a per time rate and must be insured.
Deadline for the quote is May 2, 2026 and can be emailed to: clerk@benzoniatownship.org , mailed to: PO Box 224, Benzonia, MI 49616 or dropped by the office.
Benzonia Township Shredding Day
Benzonia Township Shredding Day is scheduled for Monday, May 4th, 2026 at the new building located at 2717 Benzie Hwy Benzonia from 11am-12:30pm.
You must pick up your free shredding pass at the Township Offices at 2717 Benzie Hwy. in Benzonia. The office is open 9:00am – 3:00pm, Monday through Thursday. Proof of residency: Voter registration, and/or driver’s license will be required to get a pass.
Limited to 5 banker boxes per property owner. Business owners within the township are allowed a pass.
ITEMS ACCEPTED:
Paper, small paper clips within the papers, manilla folders, hanging file folders, CD’s, VHS tapes, DVD’s.
ITEMS THAT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED:
Binders, large quantity x-rays, big binder clips, hardboard folders.
Benzonia Township Spring Clean-Up Day
Benzonia Township Spring Clean-up Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 9th, 2026 at 6811 South St (Memorial Park). Drop off will be from 7:00am to 10:00am
You must pick up your free refuse pass at the Township Offices at 2717 Benzie Hwy in Benzonia. The office is open 9:00am – 3:00pm, Monday through Thursday.
Proof of residency: Voter registration, and/or driver’s license will be required to get a pass. Assistance will be provided by volunteers if possible but not guaranteed so please do not bring anything that you cannot offload yourself! If you would like to volunteer, please contact the Township Offices!
ITEMS THAT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED:
Appliances containing Freon, tires, auto batteries, chemicals, hazardous waste, motor oil, paints or thinners, construction site waste and/or yard waste including clippings, brush, grass, etc.
Everything must be in bags or boxes (that can be) or will not be accepted. Please bring your free refuse pass to the attendant. You will be permitted one pickup load OR equivalent.
Our History
According to J.B. Walker, one of the first settlers of Benzonia Township, the name Benzonia is from the Latin and Greek words that mean “good air” or “good area (zone).” The use of Latin and Greek in its name name is appropriate as the Congregationalist pioneers came to found a religious colony and sought to start a new college in the untamed wilds of northwest Michigan.
These first families were largely from Ohio, and the oldest maps of the area list Benzonia Township as the “Ohio Colony Lands.” Most had connections through Oberlin College in northeast Ohio. Oberlin College was the first college in the United States to admit women, and was dedicated to abolition (the freeing of the slaves).
In 1858, inspired by the high ideals of Oberlin College, Charles E. Bailey led a group of Oberlin Alumni including ministers, teachers, farmers, and business people, to what is today Benzonia Township. The colonists’ “Articles of Agreement and Plans for a Christian Colony and Institution of Learning” provided that a quarter of the stockholdrers’ lands were to establish and endow the college.
The original political organization of government for the colony was Crystal Lake Township, and part of Grand Traverse County. In 1861, Benzonia Township was organized from this, and so the new college chartered in 1863 was named Grand Traverse College. Over time, the name of the college was changed to Benzie College (1890-1899), and finally, the Benzonia Academy (1900-1918).
In addition to the college, the main industries of Benzonia Townhip have included lumbering, farming, and after the lowering of Crystal Lake in 1873, tourism. With the arrival of the railroad in 1887, resorters began to visit the area’s resorts and build cottages on Crystal and Platte Lakes. When automobiles became affordable, and roads improved, tourism as an industry continued to grow, especially along the north shore of Crystal Lake and the south shore of Platte Lake.
Today, except for the college which closed in 1918, that which attracted the original settlers to Benzonia Township can still be found. The many small businesses, agricultural products, and recreational activities in the woods and on the water, still attract visitors and residents to Benzonia Township.
Our History
According to J.B. Walker, one of the first settlers of Benzonia Township, the name Benzonia is from the Latin and Greek words that mean “good air” or “good area (zone).” The use of Latin and Greek in its name name is appropriate as the Congregationalist pioneers came to found a religious colony and sought to start a new college in the untamed wilds of northwest Michigan.
These first families were largely from Ohio, and the oldest maps of the area list Benzonia Township as the “Ohio Colony Lands.” Most had connections through Oberlin College in northeast Ohio. Oberlin College was the first college in the United States to admit women, and was dedicated to abolition (the freeing of the slaves).
In 1858, inspired by the high ideals of Oberlin College, Charles E. Bailey led a group of Oberlin Alumni including ministers, teachers, farmers, and business people, to what is today Benzonia Township. The colonists’ “Articles of Agreement and Plans for a Christian Colony and Institution of Learning” provided that a quarter of the stockholdrers’ lands were to establish and endow the college.
The original political organization of government for the colony was Crystal Lake Township, and part of Grand Traverse County. In 1861, Benzonia Township was organized from this, and so the new college chartered in 1863 was named Grand Traverse College. Over time, the name of the college was changed to Benzie College (1890-1899), and finally, the Benzonia Academy (1900-1918).
In addition to the college, the main industries of Benzonia Townhip have included lumbering, farming, and after the lowering of Crystal Lake in 1873, tourism. With the arrival of the railroad in 1887, resorters began to visit the area’s resorts and build cottages on Crystal and Platte Lakes. When automobiles became affordable, and roads improved, tourism as an industry continued to grow, especially along the north shore of Crystal Lake and the south shore of Platte Lake.
Today, except for the college which closed in 1918, that which attracted the original settlers to Benzonia Township can still be found. The many small businesses, agricultural products, and recreational activities in the woods and on the water, still attract visitors and residents to Benzonia Township.
