Near Powell in Delaware County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mulzer Mill Complex

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 13, 2018

1. Mulzer Mill Complex Marker

Inscription. The grist mill and, at times, an accompanying saw mill were operated by a series of owners starting around 1817, but none more successfully than Herman Mulzer who operated the mill from 1977 until his death in 1906. In the later years, Herman’s son, George Mulzer, was a partner and continued to operate the mill for a few years after his father’s death.

(photo and image captions, clockwise from top left)

The Mulzer grist mill and dam as seen in circa 1900 photograph postcard.
Portion of map of Liberty Township from Mode’s 1908 Centennial Atlas and History of Delaware County.
A young woman stands on the ruins of the dam that supplied the grist and saw mills with power. At the time of this photograph, around 1923, the mills were in a state of decay and no longer in use. She is standing on the rocks that you see just in front of you in the river.
In this photograph from around 1890, George Mulzer and his friend, Walter Pfaff, in a boat made by his father, Herman Mulzer, float just above the dam, mid-river from this point.
Mulzer’s Bridge, Powell O., destroyed by floor March 23, 1913. This through-truss bridge, seen in a circa 1910 photograph, was destroyed during the 1913 flood. It stood where the present Powell Road bridge is just to the north of where you are standing.
Mulzer grist mill photographed
Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online
during a public sale in 1926.

Erected 2014 by Metro Parks, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Environmental Services. Special thanks to the Powell Liberty Historical Society for providing the historic photographs.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is September 2013.

Location. 40° 9.339′ N, 83° 2.685′ W. Marker is near Powell, Ohio, in Delaware County. Marker can be reached from Columbus Pike (U.S. 23). Marker is in Highbanks Metro Park, in the woods near the riverbank near the Big Meadows picnic area. It is physically near the intersection of Powell Road (Ohio Route 750) and Olentangy River Road (Ohio Route 315) where there is a pedestrian gate, but there is no parking anywhere near this heavily travelled two-lane road with no shoulders. There is plenty of parking in the park at the marker and there is no charge to enter. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9466 Columbus Pike, Powell OH 43065, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Mulzer Mill Complex (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Union Land Company and the Case Family / The Olentangy River Road (about 400 feet away); Kingwood Memorial Park Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away);

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 13, 2018

2. Mulzer Mill Complex Marker

The brown water of a swollen Olentangy River can be seen through the brush behind and below the marker.

Powell WW I Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Four Chaplains (approx. 1.6 miles away); James Kilbourne / Anson Williams (approx. 1.6 miles away); Powell Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Gooding House and Tavern / Rural Taverns in Early Ohio History (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Powell.

A Swollen Olentangy River at the Mill Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 13, 2018

3. A Swollen Olentangy River at the Mill Site

This photograph was taken a few feet from the marker. Across the river behind the screen of trees is Olentangy River Road.

Mulzer Mill Circa 1900 image. Click for full size.

Powell Liberty Historical Society collection, circa 1900

4. Mulzer Mill Circa 1900

Image used by permission. This is the upper left image on this marker. The fence line to the right of the mill marks the edge of the dam.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 281 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 25, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on January 31, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.