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

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

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.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003

2. Old Mill Creek Marker

Click or scan to see
this page online

45° 44.682′ N, 84° 40.25′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Cheboygan County. Marker can be reached from Old Mackinaw Road, 0.2 miles east of U.S. 23. Marker is located just off US route 23 on Old Mackinaw Road, near entrance to Old Mill Creek Michigan State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mackinaw City MI 49701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 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 miles away); Breaking the ice (approx. 3.4 miles away); Michigan State Ferry System / Michigan State Car Ferries (approx. 3½ miles away); Auto Ferries (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.

Also see . . . Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park. (Submitted on October 4, 2012, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Mill Creek Bridge & Saw Mill image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003

3. Mill Creek Bridge & Saw Mill

Saw Mill & Mill Race image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003

4. Saw Mill & Mill Race

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003

5. Mill Race

Saw Mill Waterfall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003

6. Saw Mill Waterfall

19th Century Log Squaring Technique image. Click for full size.

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

Saw Mill Drive Wheel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003

9. Saw Mill Drive Wheel

Water-powered Board Cutting image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003

10. Water-powered Board Cutting

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003

11. Water-powered Board Cutting

Mill Creek Pond image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 13, 2003

12. Mill Creek Pond

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2012, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 705 times since then and 15 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.