Eaton Rapids' most memorable claim to fame in its early years involved curative waters and mineral baths, due to the unique magentic mineral springs discovered early in the settlement's discovery. For decades, Eaton Rapids was known as the "Saratoga of the West", with wealthy health-seekers from all over the nation staying at the city's luxury hotels and partaking in over a dozen mineral wells. At its peak, six passenger trains per day carted tourists to the new and thriving Michigan city.

The original pioneers of Eaton Rapids (Amos and Pierpoint Spicer, Samuel Hamlin, and C. C. Darling), however, had also formed a mill company, put up framed buildings, and gave birth to the city's first industry. The mill company erected a flouring mill, a saw mill, and later, a wool carding mill, which was later sold to Samuel Horner, a professional spinner from Yorkshire, England. As Horner Mill expanded, providing tens of thousands of wool blankets to ocean liners and government service, new construction was needed to keep up with demand.

The Mill turned to Albert Kahn, the foremost American industrial architect of the early twentieth century. Often called the “architect of Detroit”, Kahn has more than 60 sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places, including the Detroit News building, Cadillac Place, and the famed Fisher Building. Although Horner Mill has long ceased production of woolen blankets, these historical buildings stand and operate proudly, continuing to help build the city's business traditions. For as the worldwide fad of mineral baths gradually subsided, Eaton Rapids had built up enough industry to keep the city alive and prosperous for generations.

Be sure and visit our new photos page, to see a variety of images of the Horner Mill Commerce Park today!