Westland in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Nankin Millers House

Living on the Rouge River

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 18, 2016

1. Nankin Millers House Marker

Inscription.
It was a short walk to work.
This was home to milling families who owned and operated Nankin Mills during its gristmill heyday, from 1842 to 1918. Its Greek Revival style was popular when it was built in 1834. The last farmer living here was George Barnes, who sold the house to Henry Ford in 1923. The house also sheltered the family of Edward Cutler, Ford's architect, and later the family of Frank Davison, superintendent of the Ford factory at Nankin Mills until 1946. Today the house contains offices and program space for the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center.

You Auto Know Wayne County acquired the mill, miller's house and barn properties from Clara Ford in 1948.

Erected by Motorcities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 42° 20.946′ N, 83° 22.237′ W. Marker is in Westland, Michigan, in Wayne County. Marker can be reached from Ann Arbor Trail, 0.2 miles east of Edward N Hines Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 33175 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland MI 48185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Nankin Mills (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Nankin Mills (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Learning by Doing" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chief Tonquish Burial Site (approx. 0.8 miles away); Perrinsville School (approx. one mile away); Perrinsville (approx. 1.1 miles away); A Nankin Pioneer (approx. 1½ miles away); Newburgh Cemetery (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Westland.

<i>Upper left image</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 18, 2016

2. Upper left image

This late 1800s painting shows the setting of Nankin Mills, with horse-drawn loads of grain being delivered to the front of the mill for processing. The miller's house is at the right. Photo courtesy of Wayne County Parks.

<i>Lower left image</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 18, 2016

3. Lower left image

Floyd Bassett, his wife Mabel, and children Iva and Orrie, around 1909. Bassett was the last miller to own Nankin Mills, selling the mill to Henry Ford in 1918. Photo courtesy of Wayne County Parks.

<i>Lower middle image</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 18, 2016

4. Lower middle image

The Davisons enjoying the side yard of the miller's house in the 1940s. Photo courtesy of Frank Davison family.

<i>Lower right image</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 18, 2016

5. Lower right image

After Westland Historical Commission restored and used the house in the 1970s, the miller's house became a safe haven for battered women in the 1980s, known as First Step. Photo courtesy of Wayne County Parks.

Nankin Millers House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 18, 2016

6. Nankin Millers House and Marker

Nankin Millers House Marker and Mill image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 18, 2016

7. Nankin Millers House Marker and Mill

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 547 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 18, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.