Near Cooperstown in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Rock Mill

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

1. Rock Mill Marker

East side of marker.

Inscription. In 1847 New York millwright and speculator Pliney Pierce built this mill adjacent to the rapidly falling waters of Devils River. First constructed as a sawmill, Rock Mill was quickly converted to a gristmill after the area's available timber was depleted. Serving mostly local German, Czech and Irish immigrant farmers, Rock Mill ground as many as 118 bags of grain a day and produced wheat, rye and graham flour and animal feed. The mill functioned as the social center of rural life here for almost 90 years, ceasing operation in 1934.

Erected 1998 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 377.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 44° 17.971′ N, 87° 46.516′ W. Marker is near Cooperstown, Wisconsin, in Manitowoc County. It can be reached from County Highway R half a mile north of Schley Road. Marker is located at Devils River Campers Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

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16612 County Highway R, Maribel WI 54227, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wisconsin's Dairy Industry (approx. 2.4 miles away); Denmark (approx. 4.2 miles away); Na-Ya-to-Shingh "Chief Mishicott" Potawatomi Leader (approx. 7.7 miles away); Tisch Mills (approx. 7.9 miles away); Rogation Shrines (approx. 9.1 miles away); Black Earth Indian Village (approx. 9.3 miles away); St. Joseph's Church (approx. 9.8 miles away); The Norman General Store (approx. 9.8 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Wisconsin's Maritime Industries (was approx. 2½ miles away but has been permanently removed).

Additional commentary.
1. Maribel

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

2. Rock Mill Marker

West side of marker.

Caves Hotel
The old stone structure that once was the Maribel Caves Hotel crumbled to the ground from a tornado in the early morning hours of August 7, 2013.

— Submitted August 9, 2013, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

Rock Mill and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

3. Rock Mill and Marker

State and National Register of Historic Places #82000680
Certification date: June 21, 1982

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

4. Rock Mill

The Mill and Waterwheel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, June 10, 2012

5. The Mill and Waterwheel

The Mill Building and a Grinding Stone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, June 10, 2012

6. The Mill Building and a Grinding Stone

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

7. Rock Mill

Entrance to Devils River Campers Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

8. Entrance to Devils River Campers Park

Nearby Devils River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, June 10, 2012

9. Nearby Devils River

This river once fed the mill.

Nearby Maribel Caves County Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, June 10, 2012

10. Nearby Maribel Caves County Park

Nearby Maribel Caves Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

11. Nearby Maribel Caves Hotel

Maribel Caves Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, June 19, 2010

12. Maribel Caves Hotel

Located on private property 0.7 miles south of the Rock Mill marker on County Highway R, this 200 acre health spa and resort was built in 1900. The interior of the building was gutted by fire in 1985.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 3,149 times since then and 123 times this year. Last updated on May 11, 2023, by Gary Sonnenberg of Waukesha, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 2, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 5, 6. submitted on June 11, 2012, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. 7, 8. submitted on July 2, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 9, 10. submitted on June 11, 2012, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. 11, 12. submitted on July 2, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.