Schuyler Mill – Ford Soybean Plant Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Schuyler Mill – Ford Soybean Plant Complex
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 555--600 Michigan Ave., Saline, Michigan |
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| Area | 11.5 acres (4.7 ha) |
| Built | 1845 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000477 |
| Added to NRHP | May 08, 1996 |
The Schuyler Mill, also known as the Ford Soybean Plant Complex, is a historic factory in Saline, Michigan. Famous inventor Henry Ford bought this old mill. He turned it into one of his special small factories called village industries. The mill is located at 555-600 Michigan Avenue. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Contents
History of Schuyler Mill
Early Days as a Gristmill
In 1845, a man named David Schuyler Haywood built a gristmill here. A gristmill grinds grain into flour. This mill was on the western edge of Saline, Michigan. A small town called Barnegat grew up around the mill. Barnegat became part of Saline in 1848. But by 1865, the mill's business slowed down. It closed soon after.
Henry Ford's Soybean Plant
Henry Ford bought the mill site in 1936. He fixed it up and opened it in 1938. This new factory processed soybeans. It was one of Ford's "village industries." These were small factories in rural areas. They aimed to combine farming with factory work.
The plant employed up to 19 people. They removed soybean oil from the beans. This oil was used to make plastics and paint for Ford's cars. The leftover parts of the beans were used for casting cores. They were also used as food for cattle.
In 1943, Ford moved a one-room schoolhouse to the site. He fixed it up to be a home. However, the soybean plant closed in 1947. This was not long after Henry Ford passed away.
What Happened Next
After it closed, a private company used the building. They also processed soybeans. But the machines they used soon became old. In 1962, the property changed again. It became an antique shop and general store. It was first called the "Sauk Trail Inn." Later, it was known as "Weller's Country Store." More recently, parts of the building have been used as a cafe. It has also been used as a place for banquets and events.
What the Mill Looks Like
The Schuyler Mill/Ford Soybean Plant Complex covers 11.5 acres. It is in a pretty, park-like area. The main building is the original mill from 1845. There is also a fieldstone-lined millrace. A millrace is a channel that carries water to a mill.
The mill building has three stories. It is made of timber and has a gable roof. It is built in the Greek Revival style. This style was popular in the 1800s. The building is covered with clapboard siding. A smaller two-story part is on one side. It has two single-story parts next to it. Across the street is a modern house. This house was built around the old schoolhouse.
Henry Ford also built four more buildings. He built a Greek Revival-style extractor plant. This plant was used to get oil from the soybeans. He also built a pump house near the mill. Two storage buildings were also added. Ford also built a dam and a spillway. These structures helped control the water at the mill pond.
Images for kids
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The Schuyler Mill building in Saline, Michigan.
Template:National Register of Historic Places listings in Washtenoid County, Michigan
