Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park

Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, now also known as Dousman’s Mill, preserves one of the Straits of Mackinac’s earliest industrial sites. Established around 1790 by Robert Campbell as a sawmill supplying lumber to nearby settlements, especially Mackinac Island, it later passed to Michael Dousman, who operated it from 1819 to 1839. The mill prospered during the fur trade era, then declined as that trade weakened, and the site was eventually abandoned. Surviving timbers in Mackinac Island buildings, along with archaeological work, made possible reconstructions of the dam, sawmill, workshop, and millwright’s house. Today the park combines interpretation of early industry with trails and creekside recreation.

Michigan · United States