Welcome to Angel River, where every corner holds a secret and every landmark has a tale to tell. In this series, Storied Places of Angel River, we’ll explore the hidden histories, whispered legends, and unforgettable moments that make our little town more than just a dot on the map. Whether you’re a longtime resident or just passing through, these stories are your invitation to discover the heart and soul of Angel River—one storied place at a time.
If you turn off one of the many winding back roads outside of Angel River, you’ll find yourself in a place that feels suspended in time. The trees hush their leaves there, the sky hangs lower, and the lake, known as Back of the Moon, glows with an uncanny kind of stillness.
Tucked in a secluded clearing along its shore are two aging houses known as the Twin Sisters. At first glance, they seem like sentinels from another life, two souls frozen in quiet conversation across the years. One is a compact Craftsman, all clean lines and charm. The other is a small Victorian—tall, ornate, and a little proud, as if still holding its chin high.
The houses were built in 1940 by Joseph Kittlewatt, a descendant of one of Angel River’s oldest families. He constructed them as engagement presents for his twin daughters, who, much like the houses, shared little beyond their bloodline. One was practical and reserved, the other romantic and full of fire.
Their weddings were to take place the following year. But the world had other plans. When the United States entered World War II, both of their fiancés were called overseas. Neither man came home.
The sisters never married. Some say they never truly lived in the houses after that. One version of the story claims they did—for a little while—each in her own space, unable to bear the grief of being near, or the grief of being apart. But however it unfolded, eventually the windows went dark, the doors closed, and time moved on without them.
The Victorian house, though weathered, still stands upright like a stubborn ghost. The Craftsman is beginning to fade into the trees, its secrets crumbling into the earth. Locals say if you visit the lake late at night, you can hear something in the silence—whispers, perhaps, or just the sigh of a story unfinished.
Back of the Moon lake and the Twin Sisters houses appear briefly in The Book of Forgotten Angels, and will feature prominently in the upcoming novel One Secret Summer. You can read more about Angel River at this page on my website, and find all the books on Amazon.
Thanks for visiting one of the storied places of Angel River. If you enjoyed this glimpse into our town’s past, be sure to follow along for more tales still to come. Have a favorite Angel River memory or a place you think deserves the spotlight? I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment or email me at misha@mishacrews.com.
Sending hugs from between the pages,
Misha