Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park (3.0 miles; d=3.20)
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Historic Mill Creek Hike Route Map
A very rough approximation of the track I followed on my hike around Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, as depicted a la Google Earth...
The site map better shows the route I followed...essentially following the series of trails up the east side of the creek and then the same back down the west side (with a side trip to the Sugar Shack)...
Mill Creek was the only option for a mill in the Mackinac region. It was the only creek with sufficient fall to operate a mill. In the winter the creek tends to freeze which did not allow the mill to operate.
This is a reconstruction of the mill built here between 1779 an 1781. The mill was important to the surrounding region for its wood and grain products. The mill operated until 1839 at which time it was abandoned. The State of Michigan aquired the property as a State Historic Park in 1982 and by 1984 the mill was open to the public. The park is closed in the winter.
Robert Campbell's Mill (ca.1781)
Freezing weather closes the mill until the creek thaws out.
This bridge crosses above the mill above the mill pond dam.
Michael Dousman's Cabin (ca.1820's)
Mill from the Bridge...
Closed for the Season...
In warmer months this open area is filled with water. In the off-season they just let it drain.
Prior to the construction of the mill logs were cut by hand. This workshop housed the tools needed for the areas operations.
The Back of the Mill
Prior to the construction of the mill logs were cut by hand. This workshop housed the tools needed for the areas operations.
In the summer there are costumed interpreters who demonstrate the difficulty of cutting wood by hand before the construction of the sawmill...little did I know that in two summers I would be one of those interpreters!
Waiting for the Summer
Off We Go...
British Workshop & Sawpit
This Seat is Full...
Easy Going...
Into the Woods...
The sun broke out just as I passed this opening in the trees allowing this pretty view down to the British Workshop.
This is a new feature to me, it wasn't here last summer when I visited. I'll have to return when the park is open to find out...UPDATE 2010: I didn't know this at the time but Mill Creek was planning on unveiling its 'Adventure Tours' the following summer. This is the 425' long Forest Canopy Bridge which I would become intimately familiar with after landing a job as a guide here in 2010.
Mill Pond-Evergreen Trail Junction
A Pleasant Start...
