Mackinaw City in Cheboygan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Old Mill Creek
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003
1. Old Mill Creek Marker
In 1780 the British garrison at Fort Michilimackinac moved to Mackinac Island as a safer location during the American Revolution. Robert Campbell built a sawmill on this site to furnish lumber for the new fort and settlement. His sawmill and dam were one of the earliest industrial enterprises in northern Michigan.
The Complex later included a grist mill, an orchard, a blacksmith shop, a warehouse and several homes. Michael Dousman purchased the site in 1819 and continued to operate the mill until 1839. By 1867 the buildings were gone and the site had fallen into disrepair. In 1975 the Mackinac Island State Park Commission acquired the site. It opened its recreated working sawmill to the public in 1984.
Erected 1985 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number 1154.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1780.
Location. 45° 44.682′ N, 84° 40.25′ W. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula, on the Straits of Mackinac, and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, in the Great North Woods, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mackinaw City Water Level Station (approx. 3.3 miles away); Windy City? (approx. 3.3 miles away); Before the bridge (approx. 3.4 miles away); Crossing the Straits (approx. 3.4 miles away); The Mighty Mac (approx. 3.4 miles away); North Central Trail (approx. 3.4
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003
2. Old Mill Creek Marker
Also see . . . Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park. Mackinac State Historic Parks website entry (Submitted on October 4, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003
3. Mill Creek Bridge & Saw Mill
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003
4. Saw Mill & Mill Race
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003
5. Mill Race
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003
6. Saw Mill Waterfall
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003
7. 19th Century Log Squaring Technique
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003
8. 19th Century Log Squaring Technique
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003
9. Saw Mill Drive Wheel
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003
10. Water-powered Board Cutting
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003
11. Water-powered Board Cutting
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003
12. Mill Creek Pond
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2012, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,057 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on October 2, 2012, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
