Downtown Allegan is still a small town with charm.  The old buildings located in town still hold their style of it's early days.  You can find reminders of life years gone by.  On our stop we visited with the owner of B C's Emporium.  Craig Phillis was a wealth of information in the short time we spoke to him.  His store was once a Hardware store in the early days of Allegan.  One of the old ladders that went from the floor to the ceiling was still on its rollers.  He had two photos from the past that showed what it lookec like in its better days.
Thank you again Craig, we will be stopping in again for more information on our next visit.

After out visit to Gun Lake we ventured west to the City of Allegan.  One thing I have found when traveling through Allegan County there is no way to drive from east to west or north to south without having to make several turns down one road to another to get to where you want to go.  Which can be rather fun.  The things you see along the road can be interesting. 
Once we arrived in Allegan we looked for a wonderful store well worth the time to stop.  Phillis of Hamilton, Home Furnishings.
Located in an old school house. Walking through you could almost hear the kids of the past that attended the two room school house back in the late 1800s.
Thank you Phillis for the information you shared with us.

History has it that Gun Lake has a little dark history and a connection to the mob.  Al Capone use to visit and stay in the area.  The place Chicago Point Resort.  Is that why it's called Gun Lake?  What was it like back in those days?  I have heard of several other places that Al use to visit and stay in Michigan, besides Detroit.

Today the Hat traveled south to a beautiful area in Michigan, Gun Lake.  I have ventured that way several times over the past few years.  Its charm and beauty brought me back there today for a wonderful photo opportunity.  Although it was a bit overcast weather wise it still gave me a beautful place to share in photos.
So take the time to turn east off US 131 or find the back roads to find your way there. Stop in at the Terrace Grill for lunch.  I enjoyed the "Dip" sandwich. My travel mates had the Chicken Wrap and the Shrimp Po-boy that I was told was very good too.  If you are there for dinner, the Prime Rib is a good choice. 

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Today the Traveling Hat made its way to three different cities.  Shelby, Hart and Silver Lake Michigan.  All three cities had special trasures to explore.  From the Brown Bear Restaurant downtown Shelby, that serves an excellent burger (Hint if you havent eaten all day go for the big burger otherwise just get the cub size is rather big.)  moving on the Hart where one of 300 Auto Traveler Camps was located.  It dates back to the 1920's. These were free camp grounds for travlers.  There is a renovated movie theater that on Saturday nights plays old silent films accompanied by an organ.  On to Silver Lake.  Dune rides to taking your own four wheeler out in the sand for a day of fun. No four wheeler, well take a drive over to their lighthouse for a tour.  Walk up the sprial stairs to the top of the light tower and look out.  Oh, at the top you will see a plack that says your shoes are 92 feet off the ground.  So if you are afraid of hights this is not your thing.  Take the time to take the back roads to get to these hidden gems of Michigan.  It is worth your time.