Iron River, Michigan: First Rest Area in the U.S.
Created in 1919 by highway engineer Herbert F. Larson, after local lake resorts wouldn't allow him in to eat his picnic lunch.
Larson Roadside Park
- Address:
- US-2, Iron River, MI
- Directions:
- Five miles east of Iron River, on the north side of US-2.
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Roadside sign claims to be the first roadside park, or essentially rest stop, in the United States, which took off to what we have today. We have Michiganders to thank for the roadside stops that we enjoy today.
[Jeff Everman, 11/08/2022]Nearby Offbeat Places
Smiley Face Water Tower, Caspian, MI - 5 mi.
Albino Deer, Florence, WI - 19 mi.
World's Largest Soup Kettle, Laona, WI - 38 mi.In the region:
Bishop Baraga - Shrine of the Snowshoe Priest, L'Anse, MI - 45 mi.
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Herbert F. Larson, who managed Iron County's fledgling highway department, came up with the idea in 1919 after local lake resorts wouldn't allow him in to eat his picnic lunch.