It is the largest of several dams located along the River Raisin — the majority of which are in nearby Monroe.

Automotive magnate Henry Ford purchased the building and restored it at great cost as part of his village industries program.

He converted the mill into a small factory to produce welding tips for his industry, and he was known to make many visits to Dundee.

[3][4] After Ford's death in 1947, support for this small factory diminished, and it was sold in 1954 to the Wolverine Manufacturing Company, where the building was converted once more to produce paper products.

The village revamped the structure and its surrounding 13.8 acres (5.6 ha) for public use as a museum and park.