Lovells Township in Crawford County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Douglas Mill Site
Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 1, 2024
1. The Douglas Mill Site Marker
Thomas E. Douglas built a saw mill and an electric plant in 1896 on the banks of the North Branch of the Au Sable River in Lovells. The electric plant supplied power to the saw mill and the Douglas Hotel. A shingle plant was added in December, 1901. The mill burned in January, 1908 at a loss of $8,000 and 300,000 shingles. Douglas rebuilt the mill in June, 1908 and it included a saw mill, lathe mill, shingle mill and stave mill. The mill employed as many as 100 men. This mill burned in July, 1910 at a loss of $12,000. Three Michigan Central Railroad cars were also lost in the blaze. Douglas again rebuilt the mill in 1912. This mill ran until it was shut down in the 1930's. Many boarding houses sprang up in Lovells to house the mill workers. In winter, Douglas employed as many as 100 men in three logging camps. The remains of the foundation blocks of the last Douglas Mill can be seen 30 yards to the Northwest of this sign.
This Historical Marker fulfills the dream of long time Lovells citizen and Historical Society Board Member, Allan R. Smith.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1908.
Location. 44° 48.279′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, 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 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Thomas E. Douglas / The Douglas House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Lone Pine School (approx. Ό mile away); Kirtland Warbler's Fight for Survival (approx. 6.2 miles away); Michelson & Hanson Saw Mill (approx. 10 miles away); Hartwick Pines State Park (approx. 10 miles away); Major Edward E. Hartwick (approx. 10 miles away); Early Recreation in Lewiston
Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 1, 2024
2. The Douglas Mill Site Marker
Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 1, 2024
3. The marker is at the back of the parking lot at Neumann's Landing.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2024, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 260 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 10, 2024, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
