Stafford, W. R., Saw Mill Site - Port Hope, MI - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

This 80 foot tall chimney sits on the shores of Lake Huron in the small village of Port Hope, Michigan. It has survived two fires that decimated the thumb area of Michigan and many storms. The area of the sawmill is now a camping park but the brick structure stands alone between the marina and a boat ramp.

From the State of Michigan historical marker at the site
This chimney was built in 1858 by John Geltz. It is all that remains of the lumber mill established that year by William R. Stafford. Port Hope grew up around the mill. For a score of years this town was a center of lumbering in the Thumb. It also became an important producer of salt. In 1871 and again in 1881 the mill, the docks, and possessions of hundreds of people were destroyed by fire. This chimney is a monument to these pioneers who by their courage and industry developed this area.

Street address: 4451 W Huron St, Port Hope, MI 48468 Port Hope, MI USA 48468 County / Borough / Parish: Huron County Year listed: 1987 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Industry Periods of significance: 1875-1899, 1850-1874 Historic function: Industry/Processing/Extraction Current function: Vacant/Not in Use Privately owned?: no Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Secondary Website 2: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.