Todd Elder has the distinction of being able to say he’s helped restore two historic mills in Addison Township.
Last week, Elder and his crew from Elder Building Company began making repairs to the deteriorated roof of the old mill in the Village of Leonard.
‘It’s not as bad as you’d think,? said the 20-year resident of Oakland Township. ‘It could be worse in a way, but it looks like the rafters are intact. There is some rot.?
Leonard previously received an $8,000 grant from the Almont-based Four County Community Foundation, plus a $1,000 personal donation from Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, to repair the mill’s roof.
When Elder is finished, Leonard’s mill will be topped with a brand new corrugated metal roof to help protect it from the elements and further decay. He estimated the project should take ‘a good month.?
‘I’m proud to help work on it,? Elder said. ‘I think it’s important to preserve old buildings. I admire that people are willing to do this. I’m fortunate enough to be able to help.?
The plan is to eventually turn the old mill, constructed in the late 19th century, and the 0.28-acre parcel on which it sits into the Leonard Mill Park.
Leonard purchased the site, located at E. Elmwood and W. Division streets, adjacent to the Polly Ann Trail, in May 2014 using a mix of municipal funds and grant money from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.
Community efforts to save the old mill began in 2010.
When it comes to working on historic mills, this isn’t Elder’s first rodeo.
He owns the Lakeville mill, located on Milmine St., just off Rochester Rd. and down the street from Lakeville United Methodist Church.
Elder purchased the four-story, 9,000-square-foot building in 2004. Since then, he’s invested an estimated $300,000 in restoring it to its former glory.
‘I just felt like it needed a facelift and I could do it,? Elder said. ‘It’s been a lot of work.?
With its distinctive bright red roof, the mill is certainly hard to miss in the small community.
‘It’s a very neat building,? Elder said. ‘It was a grist mill. It ground grain.?
The mill is actually Lakeville’s second.
The first mill was erected by Addison Chamberlain sometime in the 1830s, according to ‘The Addison Album,? a local history book written by Barbara D. Stafford and published in 2000. Chamberlain also has the distinction of building the first frame house in Lakeville in 1832 and lending his name to the township.
Chamberlain’s mill burned in 1846. The site was purchased by Charles W. Chapel and a second mill was constructed within the next few years, according to ‘The Addison Album.? This is the mill Elder owns.
Ultimately, he plans to turn the first two floors into retail space and the third floor into two loft apartments.
He’s not yet sure what to do about the fourth floor.
‘It’s a big area ? 2,000 square feet,? he said. ‘But there’s two flights of stairs to go up (to reach it). I’m not sure who wants that.?
The only thing holding Elder back from pursuing his plans to use the building is a lack of space for a septic field.
‘We have a small area and we’re working with the county on it,? he said.
For folks interested in touring the inside of the Lakeville mill, there will be an opportunity to do so on Saturday, Oct. 24 with an open house beginning at 10 a.m.
The Oakland Township Historical Society is planning a field trip there that day, but the event is open to the public.
Elder will speak about the mill’s restoration, while Addison Supervisor Bruce Pearson is expected to make a presentation regarding the township’s history.