Historic Mill Creek

Just 5 miles south of Mackinaw City, Mill Creek's 625 wooded acres are along the creek where, in the 1790s, a water-powered sawmill sawed lumber used in building parts of Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island. Today the sawmill has been recreated as part of Mackinac State Historic Parks. The woods and creek are interpreted as an introduction to north woods plants and animals.

Three and a half miles of attractive nature trails make this a nice place to get in touch with the natural environment without driving too far. Trails pass an active beaver colony. Displays and signs tell about the plant and wildlife habitats and forest management areas you pass on the way to a reconstructed sugar shack.

Mill Creek's dramatic highlights are demonstrations of logs being sawn every half hour. Some children are asked to help. After the sawmill demo, a naturalist moves to an outdoor clearing for a "Creatures of the Forest" program.

For years summer staff sawed and worked on building a reconstruction of the millwright's house from the 1820s, built around the ruins of the orignal hearth. Today the house is open, with exhibits. In a video the virtual millwright family tells about their life at Mill Creek.

On U.S. 23/Huron Ave. five miles south of Mackinaw City. From I-75 take exit 337 east to U.S. 23, turn right. (231) 436-4100. Open daily May 8-Oct. 7, at least 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. From June 9 thru Aug 25, open 9 to 5.
Admission $6.75/adult, $4 ages 6-17. For best deals, see Triple Choice and Family Pass after Colonial Michilimackinac. Wheelchair accessibile: historic buildings, trail up bluff to loop 1.

Return to Mackinaw City

MACKINAW CITY
POINTS OF INTEREST

Colonial Michilimackinac. Reconstructed to its appearance under the British in the 1770s, this palisaded village, first French, then British, is one of Michigan's most interesting and important sights ... more

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. This landmark lighthouse guided ships through the Straits of Mackinac from 1892 'til the bridge was finished in 1957. See exhibits and ongoing restoration, and climb the tower for great Straits and bridge views. ... more

Shepler's Lighthouse Cruises. A 3-hour cruise takes passengers under the Mackinac Bridge, then passes a variety of lighthouses on islands or hard-to-visit locations on its 20-mile route. ... more

Historic Mill Creek. A reconstruction of the 1790s water-powered sawmill that produced the boards and beams of some buildings in Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island. The wooded, creekside site and its 3 1/2 miles introduce visitors to northwoods plants and animals, passing an active beaver colony on the way to a sugar shack. Demos and nature talks for children and adults. ... more

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