Category Archives: Grain Elevators

Elowsky Mill – Michigan Historical Marker

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elowski mill posen Michigan

Prussian immigrant Michael Elowsky fled the turmoil brewing in Eastern Europe in 1862. He settled in Detroit, was joined by his family, and migrated to Presque Isle County around 1870. under President Lincoln’s Homestead Act of 1865, he obtained his land on the north branch of the Thunder Bay River near Posen at no cost. He built a log dam and moved a part of this structure from Trout River and eventually developed a complex of flour,shingle, siding, planing, and lathe milling operations. Residents of Metz, Posen, and Krakow townships brought grain and timber to this mill. With the help of Thomas Edison, Michael’s son Emil added a generator and electric lights to operate the mill 24 hours a day. When the Mill closed at the end of the harvest season in October of 1963, that became the last time it would operate. During the winter of 1963-4, a great amount of snow fell, so with the spring melt, a very great run-off on the river caused the original log dam to collapse. The great run off also wiped out the saw mill that the family had across the river on the south bank. All the equipment was left intact and remains to this day.

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Monarch Milling Co. in Alpena – Michigan Historical Marker

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Monarch Milling Alpena Flour Mill MI

The historical marker says: In 1916 the Monarch Milling Company, a grist and flour mill, began operations in this building, which was constructed in 1914. By 1920 it was known as the Alpena Flour Mills, producing “Leader” and “Velvo” brand flour. The mill closed in 1956, but during its forty years of operation, it played an integral part in the daily life of the community. Much of the original equipment remains in place.

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Sharon Mills Historic Site and Park

Posted on by Posted in Grain Elevators, Historic Places .

Sharon Mills

Sharon Mills near Manchester was built in the 1830s. Later a gristmill was erected and operated by John Rice and subsequently by the Kirkwood family until the late 1920s. In 1928, Sharon Mills was purchased by Henry Ford for use as a small plant. He rebuilt the mill, added a stone addition, and installed a hydroelectric generator for power. Sharon Mills became the thirteenth Ford Village Industries plant employing approximately 15 men who manufactured cigar lighters. Regrettably, Ford’s Village Industries concept proved economically nonviable and the Sharon Mills plant closed in 1946. This association with Henry Ford makes this site particularly significant according to the Michigan Historic Commission. Apart from a brief period as an antique business, through the 1950s until the close of the ’80s, Sharon Mills was used primarily as a private residence. Sharon Mill was listed as a State Register Historic Site in 1989. In the 1990s, the mill was converted into the Sharon Mills Winery, bottling and selling Michigan wines. When the winery closed, the family sold the mill and its 24-acre site to the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (WCPARC) in December 1999. Additional purchases of surrounding farmland have increased the park to 170 acres.

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The Clifford Elevator

Posted on by Posted in Grain Elevators .

clifford michigan elevatorIt’s hard to miss this beautiful red grain elevator in the small town of Clifford in the middle of Michigan’s Thumb.  I was doing a little research on it. I did not find much, but I found this pic of what it used to look like HERE. Amazing what a little hard work and some paint will do. I hope I can get back there when the weather is better and the grass is green.

Click Here for the Before Pic I found on Flckr

There was a sign next to the road that said “HALL RENTAL” it looks like it has been restored and renovated and used for banquet space. I know some other old elevators around Michigan that could be done to. Like the Phleps Bros Mill in Manton

 

Phelps Bros Mill

Posted on by Posted in Grain Elevators, small towns .
Phelps Bros Mill

Phelps Bros Mill in Manton Michigan

I was in the little town of Manton north of Cadillac and in the middle of town was this old mill along the railroad tracks. I think a lot of towns in Michigan are built around an old grain elevator or train station. when I saw the “Save The Mill” sign it made me think of how many small communities are struggling to save their heritage. Another good reason to get off the expressway and see what you can find.