The Transformation – The Mill at Zehnder Park

It all began in 1848 as a milling operation built on the banks of the Cass River by the Hubinger brothers just three years after the founding of Frankenmuth. It operated as a mill where local farmers could bring their grain until it was deemed obsolete and demolished in 1956. An iconic building in the middle of Frankenmuth that was a constant reminder of our agricultural roots was lost forever.

Conversations began in the late 1970’s about the possibility of creating an authentic working mill on the same spot. Vintage milling equipment was sourced, architectural plans complete and by 1984 those conversations became a reality with the completion of The Nickless-Hubinger Mill. 

As time went by The Mill became more of a demonstration of milling operations as opposed to a commercial operation. A variety of retail concepts tried and failed and by 2017 the Nickless-Hubinger Mill was closed.

Situated just on the very south edge of our campus, adjacent to Zehnder Park, it sat deteriorating for years until we purchased the property in 2020.

Our vision for the property was immediate; a luxury boutique hotel. An opportunity to repurpose this iconic structure while honoring the milling history, our community and company through stories and artifacts. We didn’t want the milling story, began on this site in 1848, lost as was the original mill.

Each of our four luxury suites, yes just four, is individually curated. Each will be numbered with an important historical date. The 1847 Suite will detail the founding of Frankenmuth by 15 brave missionaries from the Franken region of Bavaria. The 1848 Suite will detail the milling history begun on this site by the Hubinger brothers. The 1856 Suite will tell the story of The Exchange Hotel, where the first restaurant meals served in Frankenmuth became our flagship restaurant, Zehnder’s. The 1929 Suite will continue the story began in Suite 1856 and detail the story of the Zehnder family entering the restaurant business. 

Throughout our suites, The Landmark Lounge and public spaces, the salvaged milling equipment from the recreation of The Mill in 1984 will be thoughtfully showcased and repurposed as a reminder of what once was. Keeping our history alive and on display.

I’ll keep you posted on our progress. You have my name on it! 

Al Zehnder, CEO