Franklin Cider Mill
Historic Michigan cider mill offering fresh cider and baked goods.
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The Franklin Cider Mill, formerly known as the Franklin Grist Mill, is a cider mill located in Franklin, Michigan. It is a popular visitor attraction known for its fresh apple cider, spice donuts, caramel apples, and apple pies, among other products.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Franklin, Michigan
- Established
- 1837
- Original name
- Franklin Grist Mill
- Current owner
- Melanee Peltz Radner
- Cider season
- August 15 to January 1
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Franklin Grist Mill was completed in 1837 after three years of construction. The project was started by W. Matthews, who purchased a large tract of land near the mill's current location and began building in 1832. Due to financial difficulties, Matthews could not finish the mill, and the property was purchased by Peter VanEvery, who completed the building and opened it as a gristmill on the banks of the Franklin River. Ownership changed hands several times during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In 1914, the mill was sold to James T. Flynn, who installed the first water-powered apple press. Around the turn of the century, the mill was flooded and shut down until it was purchased in 1918 by Robert McKee, who stipulated that the cider season would run from August 15 until January 1. In the 1960s, the mill was sold to Jacob Peltz, who operated it for almost 35 years until his death in 2004. It was subsequently operated by Peltz's son, Berry, before being passed on to his granddaughter, Melanee Peltz Radner, who serves as the current owner and operator.
Reader's Guide
The Franklin Cider Mill stands as a longstanding institution in Franklin, Michigan, with a history stretching back to its origins as a gristmill in the early 19th century. Its transformation into a cider mill began in 1914 with the installation of a water-powered apple press, marking a shift from grain to apple processing. The mill's significance is tied to its continuous operation through multiple ownership changes, including the Peltz family, who have run it since the 1960s.
The family of former owner Jacob Peltz continues to operate the mill, maintaining its role as a seasonal destination for fresh apple cider and related products. The mill's legacy is also defined by the cider season established by Robert McKee in 1918, running from August 15 to January 1, a tradition that persists. As a popular visitor attraction, the mill contributes to the local cultural and agricultural heritage of the region, offering a direct link to historic milling practices and the production of cider.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Franklin Cider Mill (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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