Historic Mill Creek State Park
Historic Mill Creek State Park, Historic sawmill complex in Mackinaw Township, United States.
Historic Mill Creek State Park is a 625-acre property in Mackinaw Township that features a reconstructed 18th-century sawmill building. The reconstructed structure demonstrates traditional lumber processing methods and sawmill operations during regular hours.
Robert Campbell built the original sawmill in 1790 to supply lumber for Fort Mackinac, and it ran continuously until closing in 1839. The mill's long operation shows how important it was to the region during the early years of American settlement.
Costumed staff members demonstrate traditional woodworking and sawmill operations to show how industrial practices worked in the early 1800s. These hands-on demonstrations help you understand the skilled labor that was essential to daily life back then.
The park offers 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) of walking trails, a visitor center with exhibits, and a museum store with food and drinks. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and the best time to visit is spring and summer when all outdoor areas are fully accessible.
The visitor center displays archaeological artifacts and tools found while digging at the site, offering insights into workers' daily lives. These discoveries provide a more personal view of the past that goes beyond the demonstrations.
Location: Mackinaw Township
Website: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=473&type=SPRK
GPS coordinates: 45.73890,-84.67640
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43
Michigan holds a wide array of natural and historical sites across its two peninsulas. The shoreline runs for hundreds of miles along the Great Lakes, showing sand beaches, rocky cliffs, and dune formations. In the north, dense forests, waterfalls, and rock formations shaped by erosion dominate the landscape. Lighthouses from the 19th century mark key points along the waterways. Historical sites document the region's development, from military posts to industrial monuments. Visitors can explore places like Pictured Rocks, where colored sandstone cliffs rise directly above the water, or Sleeping Bear Dunes, where sand piles up to 450 feet (137 meters) high. Mackinac Bridge connects the two peninsulas with a span of roughly 5 miles (8 kilometers). At Hartwick Pines State Park, pine trees stand several centuries old. Tahquamenon Falls ranks among the larger waterfalls east of the Mississippi. On Mackinac Island, Fort Mackinac dates to the 18th century, while the Heidelberg Project in Detroit presents contemporary art in an urban setting. This collection presents both natural and human-made sites across a region that stretches over both of Michigan's peninsulas.
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