First Roadside Park
Inscription
In 1918 the Iron County Board of Supervisors approved the recommendation of the road commission, through its engineer-manager, Herbert F. Larson, to purchase this 320-acre tract of roadside virgin timber and to dedicate it as a forest preserve. The following year Iron County established Michigan’s first roadside park and picnic tables.
This was quite likely America’s first such facility. Since then similar parks have been provided by most states for the comfort and enjoyment of the traveling motorist.
Location
Sources
More markers in Iron
Iron Inn
Iron River, MI
Erected in 1906, this hotel is said to be the first brick commercial building in the city.
Indian Village
Gaastra, MI
Here, in October 1851, U.S. surveyor Guy H. Carleton discovered an Ojibwa (Chippewa) Indian village, cemetery, and campground.
Iron County
Crystal Falls, MI
This county was set off in 1885 from Marquette and Menominee Counties.
Mac Kinnon House
Iron River, MI
Donald C. MacKinnon built this house, said to be one of the oldest frame houses in the area, in the mid-1880s.