The opening of the Great River Road opened Alton Lake up to tourists. Many a Sunday drive was taken along the scenic route to Grafton and Pere Marquette State Park. The old Clifton Terrace Hotel was remodeled and featured a restaurant with a river view. The upstairs Verandah was screened, and many a boatload of people enjoyed a well-cooked dinner while watching water sports and beautiful sunsets. The hotel was operated by Mike and Kay Whitford for many years. A part of life along the river was the ‘dinky’, which ran on the interurban tracks to Grafton, and transported locals and tourists. It was transportation of the ‘Toonerville Trolley’ type. The last of the dinkies is part of the collection of the St. Louis Museum of Transport.