Mill Creek Park
My friend, Marge, and I visited Mill Creek Park this past Thursday (July 11th). It was the first time either of us had visited the park. Mill Creek Park is a metropolitan park located in Youngstown, Ohio. The park was founded in 1891 by Youngstown attorney Volney Rogers.
Statue of Volney Rogers
If you click on the link for Mill Creek Park, provided above, you will see that there is much to see and do at Mill Creek Park. Marge and I concentrated on two park sights: the historic Lanterman’s Mill and the suspension bridge that spans Mill Creek.
Lanterman’s Mill, Waterfall and Covered Bridge
Lanterman’s Mill was built in 1845-1846 by German Lanterman and Samuel Kimberly. It was restored in 1982-1985.
Main floor of Lanterman’s Mill
We were able only to tour the main and upper floors of the mill, as the water wheel (located on the bottom level) was being worked on during our visit. We were the recipients of an informative discussion of the mill’s history and operation, while on this main level. This mill operates today as it did in the 1800s, grinding corn, wheat, and buckwheat. In addition to not being able to tour the bottom level of the mill, we were not able to go out on the observation deck overlooking Lanterman’s Falls. I do wish to return to Lanterman’s Mill not only to see the mill in operation but also to get closer to the waterfall!
Lanterman’s Mill Covered Bridge
We arrived at Lanterman’s Mill shortly after 10:00 am. It was lunchtime by the time we completed our visit at Lanterman’s Mill. At the suggestion of one of my cousins who lives near Youngstown, Marge and I ate lunch at Thano’s Family Restaurant in Canfield, which was only a few miles from Mill Creek Park. I would definitely eat again at this restaurant. The service was excellent; there was a wide variety of menu choices; the meals that we ordered were delicious; and the price was very reasonable. Thank you, Nancy, for an excellent restaurant suggestion!
After lunch, we returned to Mill Creek Park, in search of a suspension bridge that we had seen photographs of while browsing the gift shop at Lanterman’s Mill. We didn’t have a map of the park and rode along several park roads without seeing the bridge. We found ourselves in front of the park police station, so we stopped and asked direction to the bridge.
The Suspension Bridge, located on Valley Drive, was erected in 1895. The bridge was designed by Charles Fowler of the Youngstown Bridge Company. The Suspension Bridge spans Mill Creek and measures 86 feet long and 32 feet wide. It has been called the Silver Bridge, the Cinderella Bridge, the Castle Bridge, and the Walt Disney Bridge. When we were driving round and round on the park roads we happened upon a young man on a bicycle. We asked him if he knew the location of the Suspension Bridge. He referred to the bridge as the Cinderella Bridge.
We walked across the Suspension Bridge.
On the western side of the bridge is one of several trails in the park.
Marge climbed up to the top of the stone steps so that I could take her picture.
Marge was not going in there!
Both Marge and I want to return to Mill Creek Park with our respective husbands. I think an Autumn visit would be pretty.
The Beauty Around Us 
13 Responses to “Mill Creek Park”
A long long time ago my girlfriend and I got kicked out of Mill Creek Park… I wonder why LOL
No—I don’t blame Marge for NOT going in there…. ha ha… What a gorgeous place. I love both bridges (you know how much I love covered bridges) — but I’m amazed at the amount of water going over the falls/area… Wow—you were there at the right time, weren’t you? What a beautiful day you two had!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
Cool place to visit, I like the mill and the neat bridges. Looks like you have had a lot of rain there, the creek is chuga-lugging. Have a great evening and week ahead!
Linda: What a fun trip to the park.
Such a beautiful spot!
Thanks for telling us about this park. We’ll have to put it on our ‘To Visit’ list.
Delightful place! Thank you for sharing it!
What a pretty place. It’s so nice that’s it’s being restored and not left to rot away… which happens to too many places like that. Thanks for sharing:)
Looks like a very interesting place to visit. Next time, send the men into the cave!
I loved all these places you went to. And I am also excited about your Benezette trip and look forward to seeing your photos. Have a great day Linda!
What a fascinating visit. I have to admit I clicked through to the restaurant, always being interested in food. Pity it’s too far away for me to pop along – it all looks delicious. Just one question – what is a ‘rangoon’?
I just had rangoons for lunch yesterday, at a Chinese restaurant. The rangoons looked similar to the recipe found here — http://www.recipelion.com/Appetizers/Easy-Crab-Rangoon-Recipe. Looking at the Thano Restaurant menu, it appears their rangoons have a variety of stuffings.
I love old mills…don’t know why but they fascinate me….