Two rival towers rise over U.S. 12 in Michigan’s Irish Hills, in 1925. A roadside showdown that became a landmark.
In the early 1900s, Michigan’s scenic highways were lined with wooden towers—built to draw in curious motorists looking for a better view. From the dueling Irish Hills Towers to the electric-elevator-equipped White Swan Tower, these once-popular attractions gave travelers a reason to stop, climb, and gaze across the Great Lakes State. This 3-minute Michigan Moments episode takes you to the top of the state’s most memorable tourist towers—and back to a time when the view was worth the stop.
