Much of Long Lake Township is suburban due to its proximity to Traverse City.

The Long Lake township area was initially settled in 1862 when Ira Chase and his brother-in-law Eliphalet Fillmore traveled from Whitewater township to Grand Traverse County to select land.

The next few years saw the gradual influx of families who cleared forested areas to establish farms.

An annual cycle of farming in the summer, logging in the winter, and maple sugaring in the spring began.

The most notable historical incident in the early 1870s was the probable murder of John Eley, his wife Philopena, and their two daughters in July 1871.

A hired hand, William Benton, was the prime suspect, since he claimed to have been sold the Eleys' farm.

In the late 1870s, members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) began to move to the township from Indiana.

Today, many residents of Long Lake township are retirees or commute to work in Traverse City.

The roadway continues east into Garfield Township, and enters Traverse City as West Front Street.

To the west of Long Lake Township, County Road 610 continues into Lake Ann as Maple Street, and continues west in northern Benzie County.

The entirety of Long Lake Township is zoned within Traverse City Area Public Schools.