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Located in the northern Kettle Morraine in “downtown Dundee” on Hwys F and 67 is
a five acre park that is perfect for a winter outing with the family. Take a
leisurely stroll up the berm following the nature trails. Notice the wild life
and how they have adapted to their winter surroundings. The birds and muskrats
bring color to the white background of snow. Maybe a deer will cross your path.
This is a quiet time where human activity is low but animal life is abundant.
The two ponds and raceways in the park are not for ice skating due to thin ice
caused by the continual rapid water movement. They do however add beauty to the
surroundings.
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“The Mill Park’s main attraction is the 145 year old working mill. Also in the
park is a branch of the Milwaukee River, nature trails, head and tail raceways,
two ponds, and plantings reminiscent of the area 150 years ago.
Take a step back into the years of the long ago 1850’s. Tall timber covered the
land; there were a few buildings; and life was less complicated. Lumber was
needed in the southern section of the growing state of Wisconsin, and a small
river was turned into a workhorse. Freshly cut logs were transported downstream
to the newly constructed saw mill at the little hamlet of Dundee. The area
thrived and the need for lumber was fulfilled. When the demand for lumber
diminished, the harnessed river was used to power a flour mill and then grind
animal feed.
The mill not only served the community need of grinding, it evolved into the
social meeting place of the area. After all, TV had not been invented. The mill
was “the place” to go. There is even a rumor that the greatest of all helpers
visited our area after his footprints formed the Great Lakes. We are still
wondering what Paul Bunyan did to help the physical features of our area. After
a visit to the park maybe you may have some ideas.
In 1925 the mill burned and was rebuilt in 1926 to stand as a monument for the
pioneers of yesteryear.
The 145 year old mill has three levels. On the first floor farmers would bring
their grain to be ground which would then go to the lower level. At an even
lower level you can see the rushing waters turn the power plant, which is the
heart of the mill. You can observe how water power, a renewable natural
resource, turns the generator and creates electricity.
Nature trails lead through the central park section, north and east of the
ponds. The trail crosses the river and ends at the dam. This dam is responsible
for the formation of the 2.5 mile recreational Long Lake. It also converts the
once small river into a water power supply for mill operation. The stream of
water that leads from the dam to the mill, called the raceway, carries the water
power that turns the mill turbine. A gate controls the amount of water, from the
head race, entering the mill. You will note the differing water levels between
the head race and the tail race, which exits the mill.
The two ponds are licensed fish hatcheries. The upper pond is presently stocked
with a variety of fish for the children of the area to fish in. The area
immediately surrounding the mill had been constructed and planted to place you
back 150 years ago. It is as it would have been back then- wild flowers, tall
grasses, and non poisonous sumacs. The beautiful wild flowers growing on the
north side of the mill would have been growing in the area at the time the mill
was first running.” |
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