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OAK CREEK DAM |
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The dam near the mouth of the Oak Creek in Southern Milwaukee County was built by John Fowle in the early1840s.
Elihu Higgins built the first mill near the mouth of Oak Creek. It was destroyed by high water and ice in 1852 and the site was abandoned. The Fowle mill was the second mill built near the mouth of Oak Creek. The John Fowle gristmill was built on the lower level and a sawmill was built on the upper level.
John Fowle and
William Sivyer made the millstones from granite boulders. The millstones
survived to the present day. They were found in the creek and, as part
of the 1976 Bicentennial, were reinforced with metal straps and placed
along side the dam. They may be seen today lying on either side of the
dam along with a commemorative plaque. It was re-built by the Works Progress Administration in the mid-1930's." "The millpond is a picturesque lagoon, framed with trees, which has provided ice skating and fishing for generations of South Milwaukee youth and adults alike.
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