Rochester Hills in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Yates Cider Mill
Registered Michigan Historic Site
In 1863, William (1820-1911) and Caroline (1833-1892) Yates moved from New York to Michigan and purchased 80 acres of land. Using an existing dam on the Clinton River, they opened a water-powered lumber mill. The business soon grew to include a grist mill. By 1876, their cider press had begun offering fruit pressing services to local farmers. In the late 1870s, the Detroit and Bay City Railway, which passed in front of the mill, made Yates Station a busy freight and passenger stop. In 1894, Yates built a larger mill next to the original building to accomodate the area's growing agricultural production. The new mill housed a 26-inch-wide water-driven turbine purchased from James Leffel and Company of Springfield, Ohio. As of 2016, the 1894 building and turbine were still being used to press cider.
The Yates family continued to grind grain and press fruits for local farmers as the mill operations passed to William's son Frank (1854-1935) and Frank's son Harry (1889-1979). When Harry installed a new cider press in 1924, Avon Township had begun to grow. Charles (1919-2013) and Ruth (1917-2008) Posey moved next door to the mill in 1939. Their Posey's Isle shop offered donuts to mill visitors. A 1948 newspaper noted mill customers arriving with their own "glasses, jars, jugs and kegs." By 1959, when Harry Yates retired, the part of the township that became Rochester Hills in 1984 was a major urban center. The Posey family bought the mill, refurbished the water power system, added the outside, decorative water wheel, and expanded the building. Later generations of the Posey family who operated the mill rebuilt the nearby Clinton River dam.
Erected 2016 by Michigan Historical Commission, Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2280.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 42° 40.367′ N, 83° 5.706′ W. Marker is in Rochester Hills, Michigan, in Oakland County. Marker is on East Avon Road west of 23 Mile Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1990 East Avon Road, Rochester MI 48307, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Yates Cider Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rochester Paper Mill (approx. 1.7 miles away); Western Knitting Mills Dam and Michigan Central Railroad Bridge (approx. 1.8 miles away); Stony Creek Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); 1927 Van Hoosen Calf Barn/1927 Van Hoosen Bull Barn (approx. 1.9 miles away); The Hammer (approx. 1.9 miles away); 1927 Van Hoosen Dairy Barn (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rochester Hills.
Also see . . .
1. Yates Cider Mill. Business website homepage (Submitted on June 17, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. Yates Cider Mill. Wikipedia article about the cider mill. (Submitted on August 18, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 385 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 17, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.