Nankin Mills in Westland, Michigan is a former grist mill built before the Civil War. It was purchased by Henry Ford as one of his Village Industry plants. Now it serves as an interpretative center and the home of Wayne County Parks. Learn more at nankinmills.org.

1. Nankin Mills
A Connection to our Past,
a Resource for our Future

2. Drawing of what the mill
looked like in the 1880’s

3. A small community called
Pike’s Peak grew up around
the mill.

4. A thriving town,
Pikes Peak had a
livery stable,
general store, post
office and more.

5. Henry Ford purchased the mill in 1916 to serve
as one of his Village Industry auto plants. Here
Ford stands on the porch with Floyd Bennett,
the Mill’s former owner.

6. Ford purchased a number of former grist mills in
Southeast Michigan to serve as small auto plants.

7. Ford wanted to make use of water power. He had
Thomas Edison install a hydroelectric generator.
(It is presently undergoing restoration. Finally!)
NOWTHEN

8. The rural countryside
surrounding Nankin Mills.

9. Mill workers at their stations.

10. Ford made a number of changes to
Nankin Mills over the years, including
adding an annex.

11. The plant manager and his family lived in
the nearby tenant house built around the
same time as the mill. It is not currently
open except during a few special events
each year.

12. The Ford factory in the 1940’s
shortly before it closed and was
sold to Wayne County.

13. The Mill reopened in 1957 as a
nature center under Mary
Ellsworth

14. The nature center and mill closed to
the public in 1980.

15. The mill fell into disrepair and there was talk of
demolishing it. A group called the Friends of
Nankin Mills was incorporated in 1988 to help
save it. Worked with Wayne county and City of
Westland , they secured funding to save and
restore it.

16. Once again the mill is open and
serving the local community.

17. The Nankin Mills
Interpretive Center
tells the cultural
and natural history
of Western Wayne
County.
How does it serve?

18. Nankin Mills draws tourists
interested in auto history. The
Mill is part of the MotorCities
National Heritage Area , created
by the National Park Service.
How does it serve?

19. The Mill offers tours,
events, classes and group
activities.
How does it serve?

20. How does The Friends of Nankin Mills
continue to serve the Mill and community?
They continue to sponsor activities and
fundraisers including an annual mill lighting
ceremony (with a visit from Santa); help fund
exhibits; assist with activities; serve as docents;
and much more.

21. A (not quite accurate) representation of
Nankin Mills by Michigan painter Kathy
Jakobsen.
We invite you to visit our mill and interpretive
center. Learn and have fun. And become a
member of the Friends of Nankin Mills, if you
wish. Help Nankin Mills continue to serve as a
community resource.