Ann Arbor Township in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Parker Family & Mill

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 18, 2017

1. The Parker Family & Mill Marker

Inscription. William Q. Parker and his new bride, Mary, came to Washtenaw County in 1861 from England. After two years in Lodi Township, Mary purchased 61 acres between Geddes Road and the Huron River. Here, in 1873, on the ruins of the old Fleming sawmill, William Parker constructed a small grist mill to produce corn feed for the family farm. The Cider Mill building was added in 1887, but was soon closed due to a severe apple blight. In 1910, after William's death, son George took over the operation of the mill, expanding it into a commercial flour mill. Products produced at the mill included pancake mix, graham flour, buckwheat flour, corn meal, and cracked wheat breakfast cereal. The mill ceased operations in 1959, three years after George Parker's death.

Erected by Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 42° 16.418′ N, 83° 40.066′ W. Marker is near Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in Ann Arbor Township. It can be reached from

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Geddes Road 0.2 miles east of North Dixboro Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in Parker Mill County Park, in the Visitor Pavilion near the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4650 Geddes Road, Ann Arbor MI 48105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hoyt Garrod Post and Family History (here, next to this marker); Cider Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Grist Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Parker Family Mills! (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gristmill (within shouting distance of this marker); Log Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Frontier Cozy (within shouting distance of this marker); Native American Trails

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 18, 2017

2. Top Image

Parker Mill, circa 1917

(within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ann Arbor.

Bottom Image image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 18, 2017

3. Bottom Image

Children of William and Mary Parker

Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 18, 2017

4. The Parker Family & Mill Marker

This marker is the one on the far left.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 533 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 29, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.