Since its opening in 1879, The Glen Arbor Mill had been the center of the community. Recently on a steamy June morning, people were once again lined up outside, waiting for the bakery/bistro to receive customers. The Glen Arbor community was once again ready to gather and share stories inside The Mill.
The Mill is open 8:00 am – 6:00 pm daily.
This Mill, along the Crystal River, holds 140 years of Glen Arbor history. The miller’s home is now a three room hotel. The structures have been refurbished beautifully with a nod to the extended history witnessed here. Join Chuck and I for a peek inside this reimagined space.
Birds chirped their morning welcome as we soaked in various views from around The Mill. As the time neared 8:00 am we meandered toward the front door.
Interior
The enticing aroma of freshly baked bread lofted toward us as the door opened to the bakery/bistro. The queue moved inside. Noses poised upward with deep inhales. “Mmmmms!” echoed within the walls. This “All Day Cafe” has an “evolving menu” that features local, seasonal foods with a rustic, global flare. They offer soups, salads, sandwiches on homemade bread and, of course, pastries.
As the java machine whirred, the line wrapped around the coffee bar toward the glass case filled with pastries and breads. When it was our turn, Chuck ordered a breakfast sandwich and coffee. I asked for a cherry pastry from the case (I swear I heard it call my name!) and a diet soda. (Balancing calories?) We were given a tented number and invited to sit in the lounge. They’d bring us our food.
The expansive milling room now has comfortable couches and a variety of tables. Some of the original machinery adorns the space as a nod to the work that had taken place here.
When Was Glen Arbor Settled?
It was 1848 when John LaRue moved to the area from South Manitou Island. He set up a trading post and provided fuel for the passing steamers. Bartering with the Anishinaabe, LaRue learned the legend of Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes nearby.
In 1854 John and Harriet Fisher arrived along with more settlers. Harriet named the settlement “Glen Arbor.”
By 1867, 200 residents had settled in the Glen Arbor area. At that time there were three docks, two hotels, four stores, a cooperage and a blacksmith shop.
The Mill History
With a growing community, a grist mill would benefit surrounding farmers. Thomas Kelderhouse addressed this need and constructed this mill in 1879.
Eighteen years later, Frank and Matilda Brammer purchased this mill. They used the modern, efficient “Roller Milling” technique. Sending the clean and slightly moistened kernels of grain through a series of rollers. This separation technique produced various styles of flour. Flour with more bran and germ were used in whole grain products. Further rolling of the endosperm produced white, powdery flour used in baking. Mixing these various degrees of flour would customize orders for their clients.
Generations of the Brammer family had kept the mill running until 1945, when August Brammer had locked the doors after decades of community service.
In the 1970’s the mill was used as a recording studio. In 1986, a resort owner had hoped to construct a golf course nearby and use the mill as the pro shop. The golf course was never built, so the mill became a storage facility.
The Renovation
The mill sat dormant for decades. Turner Booth, who had vacationed in the area as a kid, had wondered about the structure with its broken windows and chipped paint.
As an adult, Turner Booth had been working as a real estate attorney in New York when he relocated his family to Glen Arbor for a simpler life-style. In 2018 Turner Booth toured the dilapidated mill. He told My North reporter, Lissa Edwards, “There were boxes stacked on top of boxes.”
Designer, Kelsey Duda, along with Turner Booth, had a vision to open this Mill as a place to gather once again. The pair formed, “The Fernhaus Studio,” a hospitality brand, and purchased the property in 2018.
The renovation was entirely privately funded, not a single tax dollar was spent. The Cunningham-Limp Construction Group worked on this project.
A Winter Hike Invites Collaboration
Becoming part of the Northern Michigan community, Kelsey Duda signed up for a hike. On this hike Kelsey met Claire Wood, the Leelanau Conservancy’s communications director, who initiates collaborations between regional leaders. These relationships, energized by art, music and food, were kneaded and sculpted until they took shape into the re-envisioned Glen Arbor Mill.
On this winter hike Kelsey also met Alyssa Smith, a visionary artist. Immediately, the two were bubbling with ideas about how to honor The Mill’s history. Smith’s artistic piece is displayed in The Mill.
In 2022 Kelsey Duda reached out to Corey Smith, who was raised in western Michigan. Corey stepped into the role of general manager.
The bakery opened in the spring of 2023. Later that summer, The Miller’s Home, a three room guest house, opened in July. The rooms hold the monikers, “The Buckwheat Suite,” “The Emmer” and “The Rye,” as an honor to the heritage grains that had once passed through the mill.
The Glen Arbor Mill’s website welcomes you. “History and Hospitality on the Crystal River.”
The Mill – Glen Arbor
I marvel at the dedication of those involved in renovating The Mill, while being mindful to honor its history: Kelsey Duda, Turner Booth, Corey Smith and the countless others who’ve had a hand in making The Mill a hub of connection once again! As you travel along M22, be sure to stop at The Mill in Glen Arbor!
Stay tuned for our upcoming YouTube video taking a journey along M22! Several articles about M22 sites will be coming out soon, too!
Related Links:
“Old Facefull” The Oldest Spring In Michigan – M22 – Restless Viking article
Just north of M22 is the charming Woolsey Airport.
Did you know that the Wright Brothers have a Michigan connection? Here’s the article.
Join us for a peek into the history of the Traverse City State Asylum in this article.
Resources:
Fieldfare Magazine Issue 4
The Mill website
Cunningham Limp Construction Group “Building Better Communities” Projects Page
Glen Arbor Chamber of Commerce website
Glen Arbor Sun article by Mae Stier
My North article September 21, 2023
