Irish Hillsis an area of land located roughly in southeasternJackson Countyand northwestLenawee CountyinSoutheast Michigan.It was named after the numerousIrishimmigrantswho settled there from 1830 until 1850. Today it is known throughout the state for its scenery, especially in the summer. Its hills and largerkettle lakessurround the 654-acre (2.65 km2)Hayes State Park.It is also known for its chain of smaller kettle lakes bordered byUS Highway 12(US 12, Michigan Avenue). These link toCambridge Junction Historic State Park,which is adjoined by theMichigan International Speedway.[1]
Starting in the 1920's the Irish Hills has had several family-orientedroadside attractions,including an old west theme park known as Frontier City,a mock dinosaur exhibit named Prehistoric Forest, and a fairy tale themed park named Fantasy Land,all of which have closed.[2]Frontier City saw some competition in 1965 with the opening of the Stagecoach Stop, a similar park with a better location.[3]As of 2024, Mystery Hill, agravity hill,is still in operation.[4]Attempts are being made to save the observation towers known as theIrish Hills Towers.[5]In the 1970's,Cedar Pointacquired land in an attempt to build an amusement park, which would have complemented its location inSandusky, Ohio.However, local residents spoke out against the project and it was eventually cancelled.[6]
TheMichigan International SpeedwayhostsNASCARraces, attracting over 300,000 fans a year during the racing season of June and August. The Michigan International Speedway also hosts the Faster Horses Music Festival and Nite Lights a drive-through winter holiday light display around Christmas.[7]
Some towns in Irish Hills includeBrooklyn,Napoleon,NorvellandOnsted.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Schepeler, Matt (January 30, 2019)."Where, exactly, are the Irish Hills?".TheExponentLive.RetrievedJuly 10,2024.
- ^Smith, Leanne (May 23, 2013)."Peek Through Time: Irish Hills attractions beckoned tourists to see dinosaurs, wild west, Mother Goose".mlive.RetrievedJuly 10,2024.
- ^Robinson, John (June 6, 2022)."An Inside Look at Stagecoach Stop in the Irish Hills".99.1 WFMK.RetrievedJuly 10,2024.
- ^"Mystery Hill".Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce.July 10, 2024.RetrievedJuly 10,2024.
- ^"Irish Hills Towers near possible reopening after restoration work".Detroit Free Press.Associated Press. October 28, 2017.RetrievedJuly 10,2024.
- ^Hildebrandt, John (October 2018).Always Cedar Point - A Memoir of the Midway.Casa Flamingo Literary Arts. pp. 74–76.ISBN978-0-9967504-1-7.
- ^Miller, Chloe (August 3, 2023)."55 years of racing history being honored as NASCAR hits the track at MIS".mlive.RetrievedJuly 10,2024.
External links
edit- Lenawee County CVB
- Lenawee County government site
- Complete text ofHistory of Lenawee Countypublished in 1909 by the Western Historical Society
- Brooklyn-Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce
- Peek Through Time: Irish Hills attractions beckoned tourists to see dinosaurs, wild west, Mother GooseMlive news, May 23, 2013Archived 11-18-2015