Holly Michigan Water Towers

Three Historic Landmarks & A Breakfast Adventure

The Holly Michigan water towers aren’t your typical roadside attraction—this small town has THREE distinct historic water towers, each with its own character.

We headed into Holly early on a crisp fall morning with one mission: photograph all three. We expected fog, quiet streets, and maybe a few early risers. What we didn’t expect? That arriving *way* too early would lead us into one of the best breakfast spots we’ve had in a while, a Rubik’s Cube redemption arc, and some of the most peaceful small-town photos we’ve taken all year.

Hunting Down the Holly Michigan Water Towers

Most towns have one water tower. Holly, Michigan has three. We’re not entirely sure why, or if they all still function, but that just made the hunt more fun. If there are multiple towers to find—we’re in.

Our favorite? Holly Water Tower #1. It’s visibly different from the other two, and we’re guessing it was the original. There’s something about that vintage industrial look against October’s clear blue sky that just works.

Holly Water Tower #2: The Middle Child

Tower #2 sits in a different part of town, and while it’s not as distinctive as #1, it’s still worth the stop. The fall morning light hit it perfectly, and with barely any traffic around, we had the whole area to ourselves for photos. When you’re tower-hunting in Holly Michigan, water towers become a surprisingly fun scavenger hunt.

Holly Water Tower #3: Completing the Collection

The third tower rounds out the collection. At this point, we were fully committed to the mission—how many people can say they’ve photographed all three Holly Michigan water towers in one morning?

Too Early for the Farmers Market (But Perfect for Photos)

After hitting all three towers, we headed to downtown Holly to check out Battle Alley and the Holly Farmers Market. One small problem: we arrived at 7:30am, and the market didn’t open until 10am.

The upside? We got to photograph Battle Alley completely empty—no crowds, minimal cars, just the historic downtown at its most peaceful. The fall morning vibe was unbeatable.

With two and a half hours before the Farmers Market opened, we needed a plan. Enter: breakfast.

Zach Goes Rogue: The Laundry Restaurant in Fenton

Instead of waiting around Holly, Zach found us a spot in nearby Fenton: The Laundry. And let me tell you—this place was AWESOME.

Our server, McKenna, was hands-down one of the best we’ve ever had. She was attentive without hovering, gave us her menu favorites, kept our coffee and water topped off, and genuinely seemed excited when she found out we were full-time travelers. If you’re in Fenton after visiting the Holly Michigan water towers, ask for McKenna. She made the whole experience.

The Rubik’s Cube Redemption

Outside The Laundry sits a Rubik’s Cube sculpture. Innocent enough, right? Except I have history with giant Rubik’s Cubes.

Flashback to Knoxville, Tennessee: We were visiting the World’s Largest Rubik’s Cube, and I leaned on it for a photo. What I didn’t know? The cube actually FUNCTIONED. It rotated. I lost my balance. I tumbled. In public.

Luckily, the convention center was dead that day, so my only witness was Zach (who will never let me live it down). I ran off and curled up in a corner, laughing my head off.

So when I saw this Rubik’s Cube outside The Laundry, I knew what had to be done: stage a dramatic “fall” for the camera. Redemption achieved.

Holly Farmers Market (Eventually)

After our breakfast detour, we made it back to Holly just as the Farmers Market was setting up. The market itself was small but charming, with local vendors and that classic Michigan small-town feel. Worth the wait? Absolutely.

Why Visit the Holly Michigan Water Towers?

Holly is one of those towns that surprises you. It’s not flashy, but it’s got character: three historic water towers, a walkable historic downtown, a solid farmers market, and that peaceful small-town Michigan vibe that’s perfect for a fall road trip stop.

If you’re passing through southeastern Michigan, Holly is worth a couple hours of your time—especially if you show up early enough to catch Battle Alley before the crowds and hunt down all three towers.

Fact Check

True Story: Battle Alley earned its name in a brawl.
The alley at the heart of downtown started out as Martha Street, a row of saloons by the tracks. In 1885, a fight between local rounders and a traveling circus turned into an all-out brawl — and Martha Street has been Battle Alley ever since.

True Story: Carry Nation came to Holly swinging.
In 1908 the temperance crusader stopped in Holly on her Michigan tour and attacked the saloon keepers — the Holly Hotel’s owner included — for selling “demon rum.” Local lore upgrades the visit to a full hatchet-smashing that ended with her in Holly’s jail; the visit is documented, the jail night is the town’s favorite version.

True Story: Holly’s tap water started out free.
The Holly waterworks dates to 1869 — the first public waterworks in Oakland County, built after fires swept through town. In the early days, water ran to houses free through spigots that simply ran all the time, and some of the original wooden water mains are said to still be in use today.

True Story: Holly is named after a town in New Jersey.
When Jonathan T. Allen founded the township in 1838, he named the village Mount Holly after his boyhood home — Mount Holly, New Jersey. The “Mount” eventually fell away, but the New Jersey name stuck.

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Planning your own detour through Holly, Fenton, or beyond? Our Things To Do In Michigan page keeps the whole state’s roadside oddities in one place. Still in a small-town Michigan mood? Gee Farms is another Michigan morning worth waking up for, and the giant chair at The Bear Store in Hale is exactly as ridiculous as it sounds.

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