Ludwig, Isaac R., Historical Mill
Also known as: Heising Mill
Why it's listed
Beside the Maumee River in Providence Park, a wooden mill and a stretch of the Miami and Erie Canal form a small historic district. The mill measures 60 by 36 feet and rests on a cut stone foundation. Peter Manor, founder of Providence, contracted for it shortly before his death in 1847. Isaac R. Ludwig bought the unfinished building and completed it in 1849, then ran it for 40 years. Most of the present structure dates from a rebuilding about 1895, and a fire around 1930 destroyed the upper story and roof. Three late 19th-century turbines remain, and canal water still supplies the mill under rights granted in 1842. The district also includes the millrace and dry Lock #9, whose stonework is in good condition. It was listed as a well-preserved example of early Ohio industry and commerce, in which the canal powered the mill and the mill supported the canal. The park district plans a museum.
Significance in brief: The mill, the remaining canal and Lock #9 are presented as a well-preserved example of early industry and commerce in Ohio. The canal powered the mill and the mill added to the canal's economic life, creating an interdependent complex. The mill also held water rights granted in 1842 that obligate the state to maintain its water supply.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 74001558, listed June 28, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Mill Rd. in Providence Park, Providence |
|---|---|
| County | Lucas County |
| Listed | June 28, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001558 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 19th and 20th centuries (specific dates c. 1895 and c. 1930) |
| Architect / builder | Isaac R. Ludwig completed the mill in 1849; Peter Manor began it |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition marked fair and altered; milling ceased in early 1974 and the park district plans to restore the mill to its c. 1900 appearance for use as a museum. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 41.41541, -83.86254 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 74001558.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.