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NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. Aug. 2002) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register ofHistoric Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If any item: does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. N arne of Property historic name Irish Hills Towers------------------------------- other names/site number N/A ·----------~----------------------- 2. Location street & number 8433 West US-12___________________ not for publication_N/A city or town _Cambridge Township__________ vicinity _N/A state _Michigan code _ MI_ county _Lenawee code 091 zip code _49265_ 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this _X_ nomination __ request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for · · registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property _X_ meets __ does not nieet the National Register riteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant_ nationally statewide _locally. L_See continuation sheet for additional comments.) ial __Michigan SHPO__ :--:-:~-----------------­ State or Federal Agency or Tribal government Property Name/County/State _Irish Hills Towers, Lenawee Co., MI. ___________ In my opinion, the property __ meets __ does not meet the National Register criteria. ( _ See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Signature of commenting official/Title Date State or Federal agency and bureau entered in the National Register See continuation sheet. __ determined eligible for the National Register See continuation sheet. __ determined not eligible for the National Register __ removed from the National Register----------_____ __ other (explain): -~----- ~~lure of Keeper Date of Action 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) _X_ private public-local public-State public-Federal Category of Property (Check only one box) X building(s) district site structure object Property Name/County/State_Irish Hills Towers, Lenawee Co., MI._________ _ Number of Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing __ buildings 1 sites (miniature gold course) 4 4 structures (C=2 towers, N side retaining walls, S wall) __ objects (NC="mill"lboulder features, 2 concrete walls) 4 5 .Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register _N/A Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) ~_NIA_________________________ __ 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Category Sub-category Recreation and Culture Other: observation towers--- Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Category Sub-category Vacant/Nor in Use------------------------------------------ 7. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) _Other: enclosed wooden observation towers-------------------------------- Materials (Enter categories from instructions) foundation Concrete--------------- roof N/A----------------------- walls Other: composition siding__ Aluminum ------~ ~-------------- other N/A ~---------------------- Property Name/County/State _Irish Hills Towers, Lenawee Co., MI ___________ Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) · 8. Statement of Significance Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing) X A Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. B Is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. C Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. D Has yielded, or is likely to yield information important in prehistory or history. Criteria Considerations (Mark "X" in all the boxes that apply.) A owned by a religious institution or used for religious purposes. B removed from its original location. C a birthplace or a grave. D a cemetery. E a reconstructed building, object, or structure. F a commemorative property. G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Entertainment/Recreation PeriodofSignificance_l924-57_; ________________ Significant Dates _1924__ ; _1947__ ; _1957__ ; ________ Significant Person (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) NIA----------------------- Cultural Affiliation N/A ---------------------- NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Section 8 Irish Hills Towers Page 5 Lenawee Co . , MI running through the center of the high ground. Brighton had an apple orchard on his side of the hill, while Kelly used his as a pasture for sheep. The MOC first approached Mr. Kelly with an offer to purchase his half of the hill- perhaps because Kelly was already being pestered by passersby wanting to see the view from his hilltop- but Kelly wouldn't sell because he did not want to commercialize the property and destroy the view. The MOC then purchased Mr. Brighton's half and began to build the tower very close to the Kelly property line at the crest of the hill. The tower, originally almost identical to the Bundy Hill one, had its opening weekend OCtober 4-5, 1924. Frederick Hewitt, owner of the Walker Tavern, gave a speech on the beauty of the Irish Hills, and a band was engaged to entertain visitors on both days (Brooklyn Exponent, October 2, 1924). Admission was five cents. Visitors passed through a souvenir shop in the base and climbed the stairs to the viewing platform. Edward Kelly was upset by the MOC's actions in building so close to his property line. Apparently taking the time-honored position of"Don't get mad, get even," he soon began construction of his own very similar tower on his side of the line, but with its base only twelve feet away, before the MOC's tower was completed. It was completed and in operation by mid November 1924. The MOC's tower was initially fifty feet high. Kelly made his ten feet taller. Thus, the competition began between the owners of the two towers. The MOC soon added a fourteen-foot vertical-sided extension to their tower, with a viewing area on the top and an enclosed observation deck below. They emblazoned their tower with the painted label, "Original Irish Hills Tower." Mr. Kelly, not to be outdone, then added four feet to his tower, so that both towers were sixty-four feet high. His tower displayed the labeling, "Gray Tower, Heart o' the Irish Hills, Kelly Knoll," painted in very large letters. Exasperated with Kelly, the MOC reportedly told him that if he added any more height to his tower they would tear their tower down and put up a much taller steel one. Mr. Kelly, with fewer fmancial resources than the corporate group, did not want to escalate the competition any further, so efforts to outdo each other on the structures ended ("Irish Hills Towers History," 1968, and Barnett, 6). Each tower had an interior stairway to the top via a series of l~dings. Windows along the stairway provided viewing opportunities. When they arrived at the top, visitors enjoyed a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and Iron, Sand, Wamplers, Evans, and Vineyard lakes. The Manchester Enterprise reported that fall that both towers were "doing a 'land office' business" shortly after opening (November 20, 1924). fu the mid-1920s the Chicago Turnpike, now US-12, was being rebuilt as the main highway between Detroit and Chicago. The Irish Hills section was the last part to be done. fu 1924 it was a dirt road, passing the towers on the south side (Brooklyn Exponent, October 2, 1924). Despite the condition ofthe_road, people came to the towers in droves. The Irish Hills section was reconstructed and paved in 1926. fu the course of the rebuilding, the alignment past the towers was moved from the south to the north side. The old dirt road NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Section 8 Irish Hills Towers Page 6 Lenawee Co. , MI remained in use for access and parking for visitors to the towers. The paving of the Chicago Turnpike made it much easier and quicker for daytrippers from Detroit and southeastern Michigan and from Toledo and northwestern Ohio, vacationers, and through travelers to visit the Irish Hills. Those seeking

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