Ludwig Mill offers narrated canal boat rides along a restored section of the Miami & Erie Canal. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

By Ken Drenten

Grand Rapids, a charming, historic town on the Maumee River, is big in one way — it boasts two mills. One is part of a public park and the other is a bed and breakfast inn.

Isaac Ludwig Mill, built in 1886, still operates as a working water-powered gristmill and sawmill, using massive antique machinery that you can watch as it works. The mill is named for its second owner, who acquired it in 1865. The mill operated as a flour mill until a fire in 1940 destroyed the top floors of the structure. It was then rebuilt as a feed mill, operating until 1971.

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Located in Providence Metropark just across the river from Grand Rapids in Lucas County, the mill is the centerpiece of a living history parkland. Inside the mill are restored pieces of working equipment from the period, with sawmill, gristmill and machine shop operations.

The park also includes a restored section of the Miami & Erie Canal, a restored working lock, and a mule-drawn canal boat, The Volunteer. Visitors can take mule-drawn, narrated canal boat rides for a small fee.

The Mill House Bed & Breakfast is an easy walk from other historic buildings and shops in Grand Rapids. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

The town’s other mill is The Mill House Bed & Breakfast, the former Phoenix Roller Mill, built in 1898 as a steam-powered flour mill. The inn features four period-furnished guest rooms that are also equipped with modern conveniences like wi-fi, flat screen TVs and more.

The Mill House B&B is located in downtown Grand Rapids, part of the restored canal town’s historic area that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Village buildings include antique shops, restaurants, art galleries, bookstores, coffee shops and country stores, all within walking distance of the inn.

Ludwig Mill is located at Providence Metropark, US 24 at SR 578, Grand Rapids (419) 407-9741. The Mill House B&B is located at 24070 Front St., Grand Rapids (419) 832-6455.

Ken Drenten is creator and manager of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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