Helping to Ensure Nankin Mills Remains A Link To Our Past,
 A Resource For Our Future

Articles About Nankin Mills

Much has happened in this area over the centuries. While some early residents put pen to paper, much of what happened here will probably never be known and other stories will remain the stuff of legend. On these pages, we hope to share a little of both. Visitors to this site are invited to add their knowledge and stories to ours. Contact us at Friends@nankinmills.org

The Tribes of the Three Fires: They called themselves the Three Fires. They were the Ottawa, the Potawatami and the Ojibwa. Westland might have been where they once held their tribal meetings.

Getting Grain To The Mill: Nankin Mills has a long and colorful history. What follows are accounts written by Melvin D. Osband, the son of an early pioneer, in his "My Recollections of Pioneers and Pioneer Life in Nankin" as published by the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society in 1908.

Nankin Mills and the Underground Railroad: What was the Underground Railroad and was Nankin Mills a part of it?

Mary Ellsworth: Mother of the Nankin Mills Nature Center: Almost anyone who grew up around Westland in the mid-1960's visited the nature center that used to be at Nankin Mills. And they got to know Mary Ellsworth who was the heart of the center. Here's a little information about a very special woman.

Henry's Hobbies: Henry Ford developed small factories to produce parts for the Ford Motor Company. They were called Village Industries and were also known as one of Henry's hobbies. Nankin Mills was one.

Looking Back: Marcus Swift and the Underground Railroad in Nankin Township: Marcus Swift was a early settler in Nankin Township. He was also a community leader, preacher and ardent abolitionist. 

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