Locations

People come from miles around to enjoy the summertime treats and food offered at the Dairy Bar. In operation since 1952, this is a great place to stop and relax while in the Irish Hills. There are shaded picnic tables available and a wonderful playscape where the little ones can stretch and climb. Which of the 50 toppings will you choose?

 

 

 

 

This is a private property but there is a parking area where the towers can be seen and photographed.

Once upon a time, there was a man named Ed Kelley who lived peacefully on Brighton Hill.  One day Ed found out that the Michigan Observation Company wanted to build a very tall tower right next to him, and that made him unhappy.  He told the Michigan Observation Company how he felt, but the company went ahead and built the tower anyway.  It was 50 feet tall!

This made Ed Kelley very, very upset.  To show how angry he was, he built his own tower, identical to the Michigan Observation Company's tower - except taller.  Ed Kelley's tower was 60 feet tall!

Thus began "The War of the Towers."

The Michigan Observation Company added 14 feet to its tower.  Not to be outdone, Ed Kelley added another 4 feet to his tower, making both towers even at 64 feet.

Fed up, the Michigan Observation Company told Ed Kelley that if he kept up this competition, they would build a larger tower out of steel.  Ed Kelley could not beat that, so he gave in.  That ended the rivalry between the two, but neither tower won the war - they both stand exactly 64 feet tall!

Come visit the breathtaking beauty of the Brighton Hill landscape and the infamous towers!

Move out the cows and move in the cars- an interesting beginning to this track's history in 1949! Today, Super Late models, Limited Late models, and Factory stock drivers race around a 3/8 mile, high bank, paved oval. New to the Saturday night schedule this year will be the Pure stock division. Kalamazoo Speedway has the distinction of being the only Michigan short track invited to host a race as part of the NASCAR  Dodge Weekly Series.

Season: April-October

Admission: Call or visit website for pricing.

A hands-on museum geared toward children and families, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum also preserves local history and the region's automotive past within its special collections. This museum also tells the fascinating story of the world famous Checker Cab Co.

Now a part of Kettering University, this 30-year-old Industrial History Collection began with the acquisition of William C. Durant's Collection. The noncirculating library has photographic duplication services for the extensive business, industrial, and economic industry as it relates to the automotive market.

In June of 1937, Lansing's United Auto Workers Local 182 decided to follow Flint's example with a sit down strike for workers rights. In support of the UAW and Local 182's President, 2,000 - 5,000 people took to the streets in show of support. 

This town was a major staple for the people living in the area as it had a mill, a brewery, and several shops located by the river. Even more so, once the auto industry began to grow, the town became a place where auto workers found jobs, bought homes, and shopped in the large commerical centers.

In 1922, Henry Ford purchased the company for $8,000,000, turning the Lincoln into Ford Motor Company's luxury brand. Leland retained his management post after the sale, but the strong-willed Leland and Ford immediately clashed, and Leland resigned after a few months. Ford immediately began refurbishing the plant layout and manufacturing. Ford also added onto the size of the complex, hiring architect Albert Kahn to design some of the many buildings along Livernois, adding over 300,000 square feet (28,000 m2) to the plant. The Lincoln Zephyr and Continental were made in the factory until 1952, when production facilities were moved to Wixom, Michigan.

To learn more by visiting the Southwest Detroit Auto Heritage Guide.

The sweet scent of fresh wood shavings, clop-clopping of horse hooves, warm cornbread muffins melting in your mouth:  the Ella Sharp Museum will take you on a carriage ride down Jackson's Memory Lane.

Now known as a "car parts" town, originally Jackson produced over 20 early Automobiles. The Ella Sharp Museum houses the historic collections of Jackson County including several Jackson-made automobiles.

View changing art and local history exhibits. Enjoy a tour of Ella Sharp's 19th century historic home. Savor a bite to eat in the old farm granary, now an award winning restaurant. Spend an hour or a day exploring the museum�s wonderful automotive collections and archives but be sure to call ahead for reservations.

Visit Edsel & Eleanor Ford's family estate on Haven Hill, located within the Highland State Recreation area. Edsel Ford broke ground on the estate in 1923 and lived and visited there until his death in 1943. The property was sold to the state in 1946.