This plaque was placed to commemorate a toll gate on the plank road connecting Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids. The marker reads, “This marker placed here by the D.A.R. marks the location of the old toll gate, built in 1852 and discontinued in 1868.”
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History of plank roads in Michigan - (
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RIDING ON THE PLANK
DESCRIPTIVE OF THE OLD PLANK ROAD FROM KALAMAZOO TO GRAND RAPIDS
Did you ever, friend or stranger.
Let me ask you free and frank,
Brave the peril, dare the danger,
Of a journey on the Plank?
Ever see the wild commotion,
Hear the clatter, din and clank,
Feel the quick electric motion,
Caused by riding on the Plank?
Horses balking, drivers lashing,
Wishing all plank roads in—blank—
And their owners with them flashing
So it goes upon the Plank.
Wagons creaking, groaning, crashing,
Wrecks bestrewing either bank
Jarring, jolting, jambing, dashing,
This is riding on the Plank.
Crocks and baskets rolling, smashing,
Helpless owners looking blank,
Eggs and butter mixing, mashing,
Cannot help it on the Plank.
Hats and bonnets strangely rocking,
Leave no space between them blank;
Kisses stolen, oh! what shocking
Things do happen, on the Plank.
Fathers swearing, children squalling,
Angry mothers try to spank;
Seats upset and they go sprawling
In the wagon on the Plank.
Tipping over, mercy on us!
Broken ribs, or shattered shank,
These afflictions come upon us,
Come from riding on the Plank.
Here, if you can save the pieces,
Lucky stars you well may thank,
Though your doctor bill increases,
'Tis for riding on the Plank.
Ye, with torpid livers sickened,
Cold and languid, lean and lank,
Needing life-blood warmed and quickened,
Try a journey on the Plank.
Ye, half dead with indigestion,
Stomachs cold as Greenland's bank,
This will cure without a question,
Take one ride upon the Plank.