Parker Mill County Park
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Parker Mill County Park is the only surviving mill property out of five that once stood along Fleming Creek, and it is the only pioneer mill that is still functional in Washtenaw County. The gristmill was constructed in 1873 by William and Mary Parker, and the adjacent cider mill was built in 1887 by their son Frederick. The family owned and operated the mills until about 1960. In 1984, the land was converted into Parker Mill County Park. Today, the historic mills are used for educational programs and tours, while the rest of the park is open year-round with access to nature trails, a wetland boardwalk, and picnic areas.
Images
Parker Mill Complex
Parker Mills with interpretive signs
Inside the gristmill
Children learn about the milling process
Milling machinery
One of the millstones
A cider press
The Parker's property as seen on an 1874 plat map
Parker Mill Complex
Bridge at the park
Pavilion at the park
Park entrance
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
William and Mary Parker were immigrants from England who
settled in Washtenaw County in 1863. At that time, they purchased about 60
acres of land for farming, which included an old abandoned sawmill that had
been built in 1824 by Richard Fleming. Lumbering had been a major industry in
the area, but business moved away as forests were depleted. In 1873, the Parkers
decided to build a gristmill over the foundation of the derelict sawmill. The mill
used running water from Fleming Creek to rotate a two-stone system to grind grain
into flour or animal feed. Initially, the Parkers ground wheat
and corn for their own use, but gradually neighbors and other community members
took advantage of the mill and their business grew. In 1887, the Parkers’ son
Frederick built a cider mill next to the gristmill, making cider out of apples
from their own orchard. The mills were constructed using local materials
such as field stone and sand and gravel from the riverbeds. The family also oversaw
construction of the Geddes Road bridge over the creek adjacent to the mills.1,2
When William Parker died in 1910, his son George took over the gristmill and expanded the business, selling flour, cereal, pancake mix, and vinegar commercially under the Fleming Creek Mill brand. The water-powered mill continued to operate despite growing competition from electric facilities. In 1924, the original wooden paddle tub was replaced with a metal turbine. That same year the mills were raised four feet to match the realignment of Geddes Road.2
The Parker family closed the mills in 1958 after George's death and almost over 80 years of operation. The land and mills were purchased that year by the Matthaei family. In the 1960s, the original millpond dam was washed out by heavy rains. In 1983, Fred Matthaei, Jr. sold 27 acres, which included the mills, to Washtenaw County for $165,000, accepting about $100,000 less than market value. A $133,000 grant from the Michigan Land Trust Fund allowed for the restoration of the mills, and the land was converted into Parker Mill County Park. The Parker family’s stone farmhouse and surrounding land remained in the hands of the Matthaei family until 2016, when they were sold to developers. The farmhouse is on the National Register of Historic Places and is expected to be used as a private residence or as administrative offices for the developing company.1,3
Parker Mill County Park today contains 45 acres of natural area along Fleming Creek and the Huron River. There are walking trails, a wetland boardwalk, fishing access, pavilions, and picnic areas. The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission offers interpretive nature programs at the park, as well as occasional tours and demonstrations at the mills. The grist mill still includes original machinery from when the Parker family ceased operations in 1958, and it is still operational, although it has been converted to run on electricity. The cider mill is used as a small museum with interpretive signs, and includes artifacts such as flour bags with the Parker logo. An 1870s log cabin is also on the property for visitors to explore.2, 4
When William Parker died in 1910, his son George took over the gristmill and expanded the business, selling flour, cereal, pancake mix, and vinegar commercially under the Fleming Creek Mill brand. The water-powered mill continued to operate despite growing competition from electric facilities. In 1924, the original wooden paddle tub was replaced with a metal turbine. That same year the mills were raised four feet to match the realignment of Geddes Road.2
The Parker family closed the mills in 1958 after George's death and almost over 80 years of operation. The land and mills were purchased that year by the Matthaei family. In the 1960s, the original millpond dam was washed out by heavy rains. In 1983, Fred Matthaei, Jr. sold 27 acres, which included the mills, to Washtenaw County for $165,000, accepting about $100,000 less than market value. A $133,000 grant from the Michigan Land Trust Fund allowed for the restoration of the mills, and the land was converted into Parker Mill County Park. The Parker family’s stone farmhouse and surrounding land remained in the hands of the Matthaei family until 2016, when they were sold to developers. The farmhouse is on the National Register of Historic Places and is expected to be used as a private residence or as administrative offices for the developing company.1,3
Parker Mill County Park today contains 45 acres of natural area along Fleming Creek and the Huron River. There are walking trails, a wetland boardwalk, fishing access, pavilions, and picnic areas. The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission offers interpretive nature programs at the park, as well as occasional tours and demonstrations at the mills. The grist mill still includes original machinery from when the Parker family ceased operations in 1958, and it is still operational, although it has been converted to run on electricity. The cider mill is used as a small museum with interpretive signs, and includes artifacts such as flour bags with the Parker logo. An 1870s log cabin is also on the property for visitors to explore.2, 4
Sources
1. "Parker Mill County Park History." Washtenaw County Official Website. Accessed September 4, 2016. http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/parks_recreation/parkermill/pr_pkpmh.html
2. Dennis, Mark. "History Lives on at Parker Mill." Washtenaw County Official Website. Published 2005. Accessed September 4, 2016. http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/parks_recreation/news/2005/pm_feature.html
3. Dunn, Patrick. "Last of the Matthaeis." The Ann Arbor Observer. Published August 2016. Accessed September 4, 2016. http://annarborobserver.com/articles/last_of_the_matthaeis_full_article.html
4. "Parker Mill County Park." Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission. Accessed September 4, 2016. http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/parks_recreation/forms%20and%20publications/brochure/brochure_pm.pdf