Where History Comes Alive - Historic Bowens Mills

We love traveling – even if it is only for a day or two.  Sometimes we just get in the car and take an afternoon drive to destinations unknown.  During this particular weekend, we found ourselves in Michigan’s Barry County. 

Since we are history buffs, we decide to visit Historic Bowens Mills.  Their mailing address is 200 Old Mill Road (Middleville, Michigan, USA) but you access the property and the parking lot from 55 Briggs Road.  There is a large round millstone next to the entrance sign on Briggs Road.

This 19-acre park has a picnic area and restrooms.  We are told the buildings are open and there is not fee to park your vehicle or to enter the grounds.  However, they are privately owned so donations are always welcome.  If you wish, you can call (269) 795-7530 and make an appointment to tour the buildings.  Today, we are on our own.  The first building we see is a new building called the “Gathering Place”.   The porch looks so inviting …

We discovered this place because it is home to a one-room schoolhouse.  That’s my history thing …

Near the parking area is the Moe School (1850’s) complete with an outhouse behind the school building.  It was originally located at the corner of Parmalee and Moe Road (Middleville).  It was eventually moved to Bowens Mills.  We enter through the front door.  At the front of the room is the teacher’s desk with a small hand-held brass bell and the notorious hickory switch used for discipline.  A small wood organ is tucked in the corner.  At the back of the room is the pot-belly stove.  Rows of old school desks fill the middle of the room.  Lanterns attached to the walls must have provided additional lighting. 

Moe School - Exterior and Interior

We leave the school and look around the grounds.  There is a horse-drawn surrey with the fringe on top.   Wondering where the horses are?  They are in the nearby barn along with other farm animals. While we are walking around the grounds, we can hear roosters crowing and sheep bleating.  

The 1840’s “Plank House” was moved to this site in 1985 and the building was restored.  Now, it is used for spinning and weaving demonstrations.

Plank House

The Carpenter - Cooper Shop is a woodworking and cooper shop.  Okay, I know what a carpenter does but what does a cooper do?  I had to look this up on Wikipedia.  “A Cooper refers to a professional involved in the work of making utensils, casks, drum and barrels and other accessories, usually out of wood but may also include other materials.”

Carpenter - Cooper Shop

We walk across the grassy expanse of lawn to the 1860’s Bowens House.  This Victorian-style farmhouse has 11 rooms. The house was built by William Bowen.  He and his wife Adeline lived in the house for many years.  They did not have children so the house was sold after they died.  Now, the house is home at Historic Bowens Mills.  

Bowens House

On the other side of the property are three other buildings (a log cabin and two other log buildings that I don’t know what they – no signs to identify them). 

Log Cabin

I like the use of tree branches for the railing

We walk over to the covered bridge that crosses the Old Mill Stream.   I am reminded of my Dad who loved singing Barbershop tunes and “Down by the Old Mill Stream” was one of them.  I can hear him singing it now, “Down by the old mill stream, where I first met you, with your eyes so blue, dressed in gingham too …

Covered Bridge & View From Bridge

Next to the covered bridge is the four-story 1864 Grist & Cider Mill.  The old mill is a living museum.  It is still grinding corn meal by a water-powered wheel and pressing cider to sell during their fund-raising event weekends.  I love this stately old tree with the swing in front of the grist mill.

 Grist Mill

A working 17’ water wheel is located at the backside of the Grist Mill.  

There is a small Blacksmith’s Shop near the covered bridge on the lower level of the Grist Mill. 

Blacksmith Shop

Bowens Mills was added to the list of State of Michigan Historic Places in 1972.  The sign reads, “Settlement began here in the mid-1830s, and in 1850 a post office known as Gun Lake was established. The village, never over 100 population, contained a sawmill, general store, blacksmith shop and several other businesses. E. H. Bowen constructed the present gristmill in 1864 and in 1870 the name of the town was changed to honor its leading citizen. Bowen and his son William operated the mill, famous for its buckwheat flour, until 1912. Production continued until mid-twentieth century.”

We have spent an hour or so here but now it is  time to leave and continue our search for one-room schoolhouses.  If you would like to see more one-room schools, please refer to my Blog on Michigan One Room Schools by clicking on the following link:

Denice's Michigan One Room School Blog