Michigan is home to many beautiful parks, but none offer quite as much charm or history as the stunning McCourtie Park in Somerset Township. The story behind this park is like something out of The Great Gatsby, and visitors can still peruse the stunning grounds where lively parties were once thrown. Some would argue that this landscape is straight out of a fairytale! Here’s a brief preview of what you’ll experience on your visit to McCourtie Park in Michigan.
McCourtie Park is tucked away off of US-12 in Hillsdale County. The park was originally built as the estate for William H.L. “Herb” McCourtie, a Michigan cement tycoon.
Google Maps Originally known as Aiden Lair, the old W. H. L. McCourtie Estate is full of history, art, and charm.
McCourtie was a Michigan native who earned his riches after a move to Texas in the late 1800s.
vWikiMedia Commons/Cohan genealogy In the 1920s, he returned to Michigan and purchased the 42-acre property that now houses McCourtie Park (known at that time as Aiden Lair).
Over the years, Aiden Lair became a Gatsby-esque hotspot for lavish celebrations and massive parties, many of which featured stunts by flyers, live music, poker competitions, and dancing late into the night.
TripAdvisor/Gregory M. Famous faces like Henry Ford are said to have attended some of these gatherings.
The lair was rumored to house a speakeasy where gangsters, including Al Capone, stopped for a few drinks on their bootlegging travels from Chicago to Detroit.
Wikimedia Commons/United States Bureau of Prisons Another rumor states that the land held secret tunnels that served as part of the Underground Railroad. Some have even reported seeing ghosts on the property — particularly a “lady in blue” who wanders about aimlessly.
McCourtie’s property features a series of beautiful bridges: 17, to be exact. These bridges were built over the course of ten years by talented Mexican artists and cement-workers. Intricate details and designs are carved into the bridges, which are created to appear as if they’re made of wood.
Flickr/Julie Falk The collection of bridges made using el trabejo rustico, or “rustic work,” is the largest in the country. Shaping cement to look like wood is a folk art tradition in Mexico, and it creates an absolutely whimsical ambiance in the park.
Following McCourtie’s death in 1933, the property was purchased by the Kiessling family of Jackson, who maintained the area privately for years. It was officially purchased by Somerset Township in 1987 and McCourtie Park opened to the public in 1989.
Flickr/BB and HH Of course, the site was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. Each bridge is unique and an absolute delight to visit.
Today, visitors can peruse McCourtie’s majestic bridges, enjoy a picnic in the shade, or simply marvel at the natural beauty of the land. It remains on the National Register of Historic Places, and with good reason — McCourtie Park is a one-of-a-kind Michigan gem for nature-lovers and history buffs alike.
Flickr/Julie Falk Prepare to fall in love, because this little scenic spot is straight out of a fairytale. To learn more, click here.
Have you made a stop at McCourtie Park in Michigan? It’s a stunning landscape, and locals and tourists alike can’t get enough of it. Tell us about your favorite bridge on the property and share your photos in the comments below!
Google Maps
Originally known as Aiden Lair, the old W. H. L. McCourtie Estate is full of history, art, and charm.
vWikiMedia Commons/Cohan genealogy
In the 1920s, he returned to Michigan and purchased the 42-acre property that now houses McCourtie Park (known at that time as Aiden Lair).
TripAdvisor/Gregory M.
Famous faces like Henry Ford are said to have attended some of these gatherings.
Wikimedia Commons/United States Bureau of Prisons
Another rumor states that the land held secret tunnels that served as part of the Underground Railroad. Some have even reported seeing ghosts on the property — particularly a “lady in blue” who wanders about aimlessly.
Flickr/Julie Falk
The collection of bridges made using el trabejo rustico, or “rustic work,” is the largest in the country. Shaping cement to look like wood is a folk art tradition in Mexico, and it creates an absolutely whimsical ambiance in the park.
Flickr/BB and HH
Of course, the site was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. Each bridge is unique and an absolute delight to visit.
Prepare to fall in love, because this little scenic spot is straight out of a fairytale. To learn more, click here.
Want to spend more time in the Michigan sun? Pack up the kids and head over to County Farm Park in Ann Arbor for more outdoor adventure.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: McCourtie St, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
McCourtie Park in Michigan June 14, 2020 Nikki Rhoades Which state parks should I visit in Michigan? When it comes to state parks in Michigan, you will find that there is much to see and do. Nature is abundant in pretty places like Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Ludington State Park, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. You’ll appreciate the diversity of the landscape across the state so, quite frankly, you should visit as many state parks as possible to get a broad sampling of it. You’ll fall in love with the majesty of Michigan as soon as you get a taste of these pretty state parks. What are the most picturesque hiking trails in Michigan? The most picturesque hikes in Michigan vary in terms of length, but many of them feature both natural and man-made attractions that make each trek worthwhile. Some of the finest parks have trails leading to stunning waterfalls, as in the case of Bond Falls Loop and Laughing Whitefish Falls Trail. Can I hike to historical sites in Michigan? There are so many historical places of interest in Michigan that one could fill up an entire road trip with interesting spots to visit. Colonial Michilimackinac will take you back to the early days of Michigan, but spots like Traverse City State Hospital offer a more modern, and very dark, glimpse into the state’s history. If you don’t have a chance to swing by any of the most historical landmarks in the state, be sure to soak in some culture in our historic small towns.
The OIYS Visitor Center
McCourtie Park in Michigan
June 14, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
Which state parks should I visit in Michigan? When it comes to state parks in Michigan, you will find that there is much to see and do. Nature is abundant in pretty places like Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Ludington State Park, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. You’ll appreciate the diversity of the landscape across the state so, quite frankly, you should visit as many state parks as possible to get a broad sampling of it. You’ll fall in love with the majesty of Michigan as soon as you get a taste of these pretty state parks. What are the most picturesque hiking trails in Michigan? The most picturesque hikes in Michigan vary in terms of length, but many of them feature both natural and man-made attractions that make each trek worthwhile. Some of the finest parks have trails leading to stunning waterfalls, as in the case of Bond Falls Loop and Laughing Whitefish Falls Trail. Can I hike to historical sites in Michigan? There are so many historical places of interest in Michigan that one could fill up an entire road trip with interesting spots to visit. Colonial Michilimackinac will take you back to the early days of Michigan, but spots like Traverse City State Hospital offer a more modern, and very dark, glimpse into the state’s history. If you don’t have a chance to swing by any of the most historical landmarks in the state, be sure to soak in some culture in our historic small towns.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
When it comes to state parks in Michigan, you will find that there is much to see and do. Nature is abundant in pretty places like Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Ludington State Park, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. You’ll appreciate the diversity of the landscape across the state so, quite frankly, you should visit as many state parks as possible to get a broad sampling of it. You’ll fall in love with the majesty of Michigan as soon as you get a taste of these pretty state parks.
What are the most picturesque hiking trails in Michigan?
The most picturesque hikes in Michigan vary in terms of length, but many of them feature both natural and man-made attractions that make each trek worthwhile. Some of the finest parks have trails leading to stunning waterfalls, as in the case of Bond Falls Loop and Laughing Whitefish Falls Trail.
Can I hike to historical sites in Michigan?
There are so many historical places of interest in Michigan that one could fill up an entire road trip with interesting spots to visit. Colonial Michilimackinac will take you back to the early days of Michigan, but spots like Traverse City State Hospital offer a more modern, and very dark, glimpse into the state’s history. If you don’t have a chance to swing by any of the most historical landmarks in the state, be sure to soak in some culture in our historic small towns.
