FRANKENMUTH, MI – As construction of a boutique hotel continues along the Cass River in Michigan’s “Little Bavaria,” company officials unveiled a new water wheel, which serves as a nod to the site’s history.

The new water wheel is the latest addition to The Mill at Zehnder Park, which is expected to open to guests at 701 Mill St. next year. The site’s original water wheel, was installed in 1984, was beyond repair, said Zehnder’s CEO and Chairman Al Zehnder.

Zehnder said since purchasing the property in 2020, it’s been their mission to retain as much of the site’s history as possible.

“Our family came here in 1846 after the first wave, and by 1847-1848, milling was established in Frankenmuth, so it’s one of the very, very early businesses in Frankenmuth,” Zehnder said. “We wanted to keep

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