THE IRISH HILLS: a tourist area
Source: Image Courtesy of Patti Leader, former GEO 333 Student
As one approaches the Irish Hills area the hills begin to
roll and farmland begins to disappear. The fields of soybeans and corn turn into hay
fields and pasture lands.
Source: Image Courtesy of Patti Leader, former GEO 333 Student
The other main characteristic of the Irish Hills is the overwhelming presence of
tourism. Children and children at heart can splash down a waterslide or zip around in a
go-cart. Tourists are able to walk through an 1800's western town with a petting zoo and
street shows at Stagecoach Stop. After a trip back to the Old West one can visit a
forest full of prehistoric dinosaurs; play a game of basketball or tennis; see water run
uphill at Mystery Hill; enjoy a drive through hidden lake gardens; enjoy a day of shopping
in the Village of Brooklyn at their many unique stores; and picnic at the state park, lake
parks, and roadside parks.
Source: Image Courtesy of Patti Leader, former GEO 333 Student
In the Irish Hills one can also enjoy the historic sites, antique shops, miniature or
full-course golfing, fishing, water sports or just relaxing by a campfire and enjoying
nature at one of the many campgrounds in the area. Because of the over 50 lakes in
the area the spring and summer months are the busiest for tourism. However fall brings
beautiful colors to the trees and winter gives tourists a chance to cross-country ski, ice
skate, and snowmobile.
Source: Image Courtesy of Patti Leader, former GEO 333 Student
In the past these lakes were surrounded by small cottages owned by
families in the local area. Today, more and more, the small cottages are being torn down
and huge luxury homes are being put up. These homes are not being put up by locals but by
commuters from the large metropolitan areas of Michigan.
Source: Image Courtesy of Patti Leader, former GEO 333 Student
But with all these pleasant parts of the Irish Hills there is one
problem. The highways that run through the area are plagued by sharp curves through steep
hills. One curve in particular had been given the name "Dead Man’s Curve".
Many people have been involved in fatal accidents and there are at least 4 to 5 accidents
there a year.
Source: Image Courtesy of Patti Leader, former GEO 333 Student
One of the more famous tourist attractions of the Irish Hills is the Twin Towers.
The Twin Towers are located in Lenawee County and stand 64 feet
tall. These towers are an important landmark in the Irish Hills; standing 1,400 feet above
sea level they are the highest point in southeastern Michigan.
These towers have an interesting history starting in 1924. The first
tower was built in 1924 by The Michigan Observation Company. They chose a site on
Brighton Hill. However a man named Ed Kelley also owned property on this hill and was
opposed to the tower being built on this site. The Michigan Observation Company was aware
of his feelings but built anyway. Their tower stood 50 feet high.
The tower angered Kelley; he in turn built an identical tower right next to the Michigan
Observation Comapny, but his stood 60 feet high.
This started "The War of the Towers" which compelled the
Michigan Observatory Company to add 14 feet to the top of their tower. Kelley then added
another 4 feet to his tower making both towers even at 64 feet. After all this the
Michigan Observation Company told Kelley that if he kept this competition up they would
build a larger tower out of steel. That ended the rivalry between the two to have the
tallest tower.
Over the years the towers have had several owners. Currently the towers
are owned by the same person and are connected at the top with a bridge so that tourists
can visit both. The site on which they were built has seen many changes over the years
since 1924. An 18- hole miniature golf course called Leprechaun Hills is located at the
base of the towers. The towers are open to visitors from Mothers Day through Labor Day.
Click here for full size image (491 kb)
Source: Unknown
This page was created by Patti Leader, a former GEO 333 student. Great job,
Patti. Also contributing was another former student: Rhiannon Lees.
This material has been compiled for educational use only, and
may not be reproduced without permission. One copy may be printed for personal
use. Please contact Randall Schaetzl (soils@msu.edu)
for more information or permissions.