Bellevue Gothic Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bellevue Mill
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 218 E. Mill St., Bellevue, Michigan |
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| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Built | 1852 |
| Built by | Horatio Hall |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000942 |
| Added to NRHP | March 4, 1975 |
The Bellevue Gothic Mill is a historic building in Bellevue, Michigan. It's a special kind of mill called a gristmill, which grinds grain into flour. You can find it by the Battle Creek River. This old mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This means it's an important place to protect because of its history.
Contents
History of the Bellevue Mill
Early Days and First Mills
In 1832, a man named Isaac Crary bought the land where Bellevue now stands. He picked this spot because it had good access to water power. Soon after, he built the very first mill in Bellevue.
Building the Gothic Mill
Years later, in 1852, Manlius Mann from Marshall, Michigan, bought this land. He hired a builder named Horatio Hall. Together, they constructed the gristmill you see today. They also built a sawmill nearby.
Mill Owners Over Time
Manlius Mann ran the mill until 1873. Then, he sold it to Hiram Ovenshire and Daniel D. Gardiner. In 1881, Ovenshire bought out Gardiner. He became the only owner of the mill. The Ovenshire family kept the mill for many years. Later, A.G. Butler, one of Ovenshire's family members, took over in 1923. The Butler family continued to operate the mill until 1958. That's when the mill stopped grinding grain.
After the Mill Closed
After 1958, the mill was used to store grain for a while. In 1977, the Stockhausen family bought the property. They worked hard to fix up the outside of the mill. They also changed the inside to make it a private home. Sometimes, the mill is open for people to visit and learn about its past.
What the Bellevue Mill Looks Like
Mill Structure and Size
The Bellevue Gothic Mill is a tall building. It has three and a half stories. It is about 25 feet wide and 40 feet long. The mill sits on a strong foundation made of stone. Its roof is made of sheet metal and has a pointed shape.
Building Materials and Style
The outside of the mill uses two types of wood siding. Some parts have tongue and groove siding. Other parts use vertical board and batten siding. The mill is built with very large walnut timbers. These timbers are 12 by 12 inches! The floor supports are also very strong, measuring 3 by 12 inches. There used to be a loading dock connected to the mill. This dock helped load and unload grain. However, it is no longer there today.
