Life at Scotts Mill
A few years ago, I learned what was involved in being a MILLER. How did that come about? Did I enjoy the experience? Read on!
A Bit of History
Archeological evidence shows that Native Americans — Chippewa, Ottawa and Potowatomi tribes lived in the area where the mill stands today.
Lyman Earl, in 1844, purchased the land at that site for $759. In 1845, a saw mill and a flour mill were constructed. Sadly, the saw mill burned down in 1896.
The White family, whose descendants still live locally, operated the mill for several generations.
At one point, the flour mill sold over 40,000 sacks of flour per year, plus other products like pancake mix and bakery materials.
The flour mill stands to this day in 2023.
Sources: https://www.kalcounty.com/parks/scottsmill/
https://www.paviliontownship.com/our-history
This mill is water powered and, thus, the mill pond is behind a dam, waiting for when the water is needed.
Here is the water wheel…waiting for the miller to open the ‘gate’ to allow the water to flow over the wheel. Then the work begins.
When we first moved there, the water wheel was in disrepair, unable to be used. Thanks to some local men who knew just what was needed to repair it, we were able to open the mill for walking tours, showing how corn or wheat were ground.
From above, standing on the dam, one has a clear picture of where the water goes after its power has been utilized.
Here is another view of the mill pond:
This bench sits on top of the dam, overlooking the mill pond and the sky.
When the water power isn’t needed for the mill, the water that flows into the mill pond needs to go somewhere. Here is how the pond level is regulated — by raising and lowering boards in this waterway to adjust the flow. Ahhhh, the sound of this constantly flowing water is a delightful sound to wake up to in the morning!
Taking a closer look just before the run-off, one can see that the water, due to the oaks surrounding the shores, is full of tannin. Just imagine doing laundry with THAT ‘shade’ of water. Yes, my white clothes turned a rust color.
The Miller’s House
No, we didn’t live IN the mill. That would be too drafty and cold, even in summer. Thus, the miller’s house was provided. Thankfully, it was in good repair.
Here’s the FRONT of the house which no one ever used.
The back of the house found MANY using that ‘entrance’ right into the kitchen.
This leaning tree was where my clothes line was hanging. Then it was tall and straight as the other one is. Thirty years later and it, like all of us, might lean a bit.
In addition to caring for the mill and house, my family also took on the task of keeping the boardwalks open. Running all along the mill pond on the north side, often branches would need to be trimmed back.
There were other paths winding through the woods which needed to be kept cleared, too. I always felt sad for this tree. Do you?
Every spring, the walk into the woods, yielded some wonderful ‘friends’. Do you know what this is? Hint: Skunk cabbage just popping out of the leaf litter.
Even in winter, blanketed by snow, the woods was an interesting place!
Over the three years we lived there, a gathering of approximately 100 volunteers could be seen at any given time as they repaired the water wheel or used their tractors to plow fields. Men and women were busy! There were blacksmithing classes in which women participated, too, and created some beautiful items. Soapmaking, the old fashioned lye soap kind, was made. Basket weaving classes could be seen going on at picnic tables. Papermaking was a success! Dyeing of wool using natural ingredients was messy but quite effective in learning what items in the woods and garden would create the desired color.
Please Meet Sarah
Sarah was one of my six sheep. There were 3 mamas and 3 babies. Over time, the herd increased.
Sarah was such a stubborn girl! Yet we did use the mama’s fleece to learn how to shear them, wash the wool, card (comb) it and then SPIN it. Many different kinds of spinning wheels could be seen whirring around. Thre were walking wheels to Navajo spindles (my choice). Then, to complete the process, the yarn was knitted into warm and handsome scarves, mittens, blakets or sweaters.
Let’s Go Back Inside the Mill
f you want to feel powerful, just stand at this lever and use it to open the gate for the water to flow from the pond, over the waterwheel (right outside that window) and onward. The entire mill is thrown into a noisy, shaking action as the grain is moved from the third floor of the mill and down to be ground.
It would never meet safety nor cleanliness standards today, as the ground grain was collected into a bucket. On this particular day, we were grinding corn which we would bag and sell for a small fee — delicious for cornbread!
Historical Items in the Mill
I’d like an office like this!
Other historical items were gathered which may or may not have ‘lived’ in the mill at that time.
I would NOT have wanted to spend my day churning butter.
Yet I would love to find old fabric to cover the seat of this old rocker and sit and read all day by that window. Of course, I’d need to make some lacey curtains.
I’d love it if this old Kalamazoo wood burning stove could talk. Since Scotts Mill is just southeast of Kalamazoo, Michigan, it must have a story to tell
I hope you enjoyed your visit with me to Scotts Mill. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to do so.
Personal note: I debated about adding this portion but here goes — -
I have such rich memories of living at the Mill yet there are some dark memories, too.
The morning after we (my husband, son age 20 and daughter age 5) moved in, I woke up thinking, “What have we done!”
As I looked out my bedroom window at the mill and could hear water pouring over the spillway, I felt so disquieted. Yet we had moved there with a vision of what could be….
That was 30 years ago. We lived there for three years, working hard every day whether it was caring for “my” six sheep, planting gardens, helping move buildings, walking the trails to keep them open or creating a volunteer base,. The days were full as I also homeschooled my daughter and did the normal household chores — cooking, cleaning and laundry.
When it was time to leave there and the county took the park back, it was like shedding an old worn coat. I was tired! My kids were tired! Thankfully, the Lord provided a quiet place in the country with fenced pasture for the sheep. We could rest and recover, not ever wanting to return to the park for any reason, ever.
Of course, after a couple of years, my son and I did return and walked the pathway to the mill. The first time, we gritted our teeth, not knowing what emotions would rise to the surface. Yes, some tears flowed down my face at the good and difficult memories.
Over these next few years, my son and I find his car headed that way again and again. We walk the paths which are so familiar to us. We notice that no one lives at the house any more. The mill stands as it has for over 100 years. The boardwalk along the mill pond is gone now. A lone bird song can be heard from the woods. There is a new covered picnic area and children’s playground. All else seems frozen in time.
