Mills Community House
This building was a girls dormitory erected in 1909 for the Benzonia Academy. Named Mills Cottage in honor of the Reverend Harlow S. Mills, pastor of Benzonia Congregational Church from 1896 to 1916, it became property of that church when the Academy closed in 1918. Renamed Mills Community House, it hosts local gatherings and houses a public library. Its purposes are consistent with the educational and religious beliefs held by the town's early settlers.
Erected 1977 by Michigan History Division, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L0468.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 44° 37.147′ N, 86° 5.94′ W. Marker is in Benzonia, Michigan, in Benzie County. It is on Michigan Avenue (U.S. 31) north of Traverse Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 891 Michigan Avenue, Benzonia MI 49616, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula, in the Grand Traverse Bay Region, and in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, 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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bruce Catton (here, next to this marker); Benzonia College (about 400 feet
Also see . . .
1. Mills Community House Association History. (Submitted on September 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. History of Benzonia Public Library. (Submitted on September 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 626 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.


