Wells in Delta County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Waterpowered Sawmills
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 18, 2019
1. Waterpowered Sawmills Marker
Inscription.
Waterpowered Sawmills. . Donald McLeod of Green Bay purchased Alden Chandler's water-powered mill, the first sawmill built on the Escanaba River, and in 1844 sold it to John and Joseph Smith. Chandler was again "first" when he became the first postmaster serving "Esconawba." The Smith Brothers built a second mill on the river at the site of Mead's No. 1 Dam which is located just down hill from this point. A tramway extended from this dam to a point below the rapids where schooners could receive lumber from the mill. The tramway was constructed of 10" x 10" red pine ties with 6" x 6" oak rails on which cars were pulled by oxen. Evidence of this tramway existed as late as the 1950's. The watermill period in the Escanaba lasted from 1836 to 1888 when the I. Stephenson Co. built a huge steam sawmill at the mouth of the river.
Donald McLeod of Green Bay purchased Alden Chandler's water-powered mill, the first sawmill built on the Escanaba River, and in 1844 sold it to John and Joseph Smith. Chandler was again "first" when he became the first postmaster serving "Esconawba." The Smith Brothers built a second mill on the river at the site of Mead's No. 1 Dam which is located just down hill from this point. A tramway extended from this dam to a point below the rapids where schooners could receive lumber from the mill. The tramway was constructed of 10" x 10" red pine ties with 6" x 6" oak rails on which cars were pulled by oxen. Evidence of this tramway existed as late as the 1950's. The watermill period in the Escanaba lasted from 1836 to 1888 when the I. Stephenson Co. built a huge steam sawmill at the mouth of the river.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.
Location. 45° 47.841′ N, 87° 4.6′ W. Marker is in Wells, Michigan, in Delta County. Marker can be reached from Mead Road north of US Highway 2/US Highway 41/Michigan Highway 35. Marker is on a nature/historical trail behind the parking lot at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Escanaba Forest Management Unit. Touch for map. Marker
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is at or near this postal address: 6833 Hwy 2, 41 & M-35, Wells MI 49894, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 166 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
