It was a gift that only another town with a historic mill could truly appreciate.
Peter Grebeck, who owns both the old South Lyon mill and Peter’s True Value Hardware, donated a collection of antique mill equipment to the Village of Leonard, which is working to restore its old mill/grain elevator and develop it into a public park.
‘I’m glad the equipment’s going someplace that it’s going to be preserved,? said hardware store manager Shawn Shull, who spoke on Grebeck’s behalf. ‘I just felt it was too nice to let it go to waste.?
The donation included wooden pulleys, two types of scales, a cracker for breaking down corn or oats, a handheld sewing machine and some sliding wooden doors. Some of these items date back to 1894 when the South Lyon mill was built.
The piece de resistance was a large shaker-cleaner once used to separate grain from impurities. According to Shull, it was manufactured in Saginaw and is probably at least 70 to 80 years old.
‘It’s in nicer shape than the one that’s in the Henry Ford museum. It’s all oak,? he said. ‘I just felt it was important that we pass that on to somebody.?
Shull estimated the donation’s total value to be approximately $10,000.
‘It’s probably worth more, if we would have researched it,? he noted. ‘But we just put a generic value on it.?
South Lyon’s mill, which sits on the True Value property, is slated to be torn down.
Shull said it’s basically a business decision.
He explained it would simply cost too much money to bring the old building up to code and even if that was done, the hardware store has no use for it, so it would just sit there, costing the business money via taxes and insurance. A new building that serves the hardware store’s purposes will be constructed in the old mill’s place and contain elements commemorating the historic structure.
‘The biggest misconception (in South Lyon) is that we feel (the mill) doesn’t matter,? Shull said. ‘I see the importance to the community, but I also see the business end of it. So, I’m saddened in one way, but I’m enthusiastic about the possibilities down the road.?
Leonard Village President Mike McDonald said the donation ‘meant a lot? to the community and gave the mill project ‘a big boost? in terms of generating publicity and fostering a spirit of cooperation.
McDonald said the trove of historical artifacts represent a ‘way of life? that has ‘pretty much disappeared.?
He explained that someday, when the Leonard Mill Park is complete, these items will be housed inside the mill, so visitors can view them and learn about the vital role structures like this once played in farming communities.
‘That kind of equipment is rapidly disappearing,? McDonald said. ‘We’re hoping to make an educational display.?
Until this can happen, the artifacts will be properly stored and preserved.
‘As time goes by,? McDonald believes the preservation of historical structures like Leonard’s mill will become an important educational tool and a visible ‘reminder? that ‘the roots of America? lay in small towns populated by folks who once made their living off the land.
Grassroots efforts to save Leonard’s old mill/grain elevator, built in the late 19th century, began in 2010.
In May 2014, Leonard was able to purchase the historic structure and the 0.28-acre parcel on which it sits, located at E. Elmwood and W. Division streets, adjacent to the Polly Ann Trail. A mix of grant money from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) and village funds were used.
According to McDonald, the village is preparing grant applications seeking outside funding sources to develop the new park.
Right now, McDonald said Leonard is planning to request $300,000 in grant money from the MNRTF, plus at least $75,000 from the Michigan Department of Transportation/Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).
The idea is to use the TAP money as matching funds for the MNRTF grant.
‘We’re going for the most money that we can and hoping that between the two grants, we’ll get enough to get the job done,? McDonald said. ‘There’s a good chance we may not get all the money that we’re asking for. Our plan will flex depending on what we do or don’t get.?
Building permanent, handicap-accessible public restroom facilities on the old mill site ? along with septic, well and electrical systems ? is a significant part of the plan as it now stands.
That’s because public restroom facilities are ‘so few and far between? on Michigan’s trail system, according to McDonald.
‘I really see that as a strong point for our proposal,? he said.
Having access to public restroom facilities isn’t just a trail need, it’s a town need based on the input McDonald said he received from residents at a recent meeting.
‘That seemed to be a priority,? he said. ‘Leonard is so lacking in that aspect.?
If obtained, the grant money would be used for some work on the mill itself, specifically foundation repairs and cosmetic improvements to the facade because, as McDonald put it, nobody wants to use a restroom ‘next to a dilapidated building.?
‘I’m not saying we’re going to fix everything,? McDonald noted. ‘It will be whatever’s related to getting the building stable for the bathrooms.?
Other items that could potentially be listed as part of the grant requests include benches, picnic tables, bicycle racks, horse picket line, trash and recycling bins, signage and a drinking fountain.
Leonard has been working closely with Oakland County Economic Development and Community Affairs on the mill park project.
Thanks to the county’s efforts, the Almont-based Four County Community Foundation recently awarded an $8,000 grant to repair the grain elevator roof, which, according to McDonald, has a large hole in it.
The plan is to get the roof fixed by the end of August, but McDonald is hoping to get the job done as soon as possible.
‘The sooner, the better, for obvious reasons,? he said.
McDonald is grateful and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and aid Leonard has received regarding its efforts to preserve the old mill and transform it into a useful and enjoyable public space.
‘It’s impressive,? he said. ‘I just hope this momentum that we’ve built will continue and that people will continue to support the work.?
The village president singled out the Addison Township supervisor for all his efforts.
‘Bruce Pearson has just been a force to be reckoned with,? McDonald said. ‘All the people he knows ? when he calls them, they respond. He’s been a major factor in getting as much done as we have already.?