Commerce Township in Commerce Charter Township in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Commerce Roller Mill
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
1. Commerce Roller Mill Marker
The Commerce Roller Mill, built in 1837 by Amasa Andrews and Joseph and Asa Farr, harnessed the water power of the Huron River. It served the farm communities of western Oakland County for ninety years, closing in 1927. The mill's owners included Milton Parshall (circa 1900) and Isaac Lutz (circa 1920). With its undershot water wheel, the Commerce mill was the center of commercial activity in the township throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The mill processed flour and ground feed for farmers' livestock. It was destroyed by fire in 1939. Only the excavations for the mill race, the mill flume and the stone foundations of the mill buildings remain. The site was developed as an interpretive historic area in 1984.
Erected 1984 by Michigan History Division, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1155.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.
Location. 42° 35.478′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Commerce United Methodist Congregation / Commerce United Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Commerce Village Burying Ground (approx. half a mile away); Wolverine Lake (approx. 2 miles away); Sharing the Ride (approx. 2.9 miles away); Westacres Community (approx. 2.9 miles away); Westacres (approx. 2.9 miles away); St. Patrick Church (approx. 2.9 miles away); Hathaway-Hess Farm (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Commerce Charter Township.
Also see . . . Mill Race Park, Commerce Township, MI. My Michigan Trails website entry (Submitted on April 12, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
via MSU, unknown
2. Commerce Roller Mill
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
3. Commerce Roller Mill Marker
Huron River at Mill Race Park.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 22, 2016
4. Mill Race Park Signs
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 460 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 26, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 2. submitted on April 12, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4. submitted on October 26, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
