Town of Mill Creek

It takes the dear hearts and gentle people to make a town like old Mill Creek. One hundred years ago this town was just beginning. The hearts and minds and souls the very will, the seat, the blood, the work of the people made it what it is today. It takes more then just a fancy building or pretty yards to make a town like Mill Creek real. It is the people who live there that gives a town its heart. Old Mill Creek has such a heart. She never saw a stranger.

Sixteen years ago I came to Mill Creek, homeless, friendless and afraid. Mill Creek accepted me as her own. She became my home, my mother, father, friend and love. Many a times I've gone away always to return. With all my heartaches and problems no matter where I stray I only have to walk the streets of Mill Creek to find my comfort. When I need food or shelter or just a kind word I go to Mill Creek and there I know I'm safe. Mill Creek is a refuge a haven to me. I found no peace within my troubled soul and mind but now I have, my friend, my peace since I found Mill Creek. For as I said before it's the people there that makes the town what it is today and Mill Creek has made herself mine. I'm proud to take this way to thank Mill Creek for standing by me when no other town would, for accepting an unknown orphan and helping me grow up, for food and shelter the clothes on my back many a time.

One way or another Mill Creek has done all of this and more and never once asked for anything in return. I'm sure that God will bless this town and keep it what it is today for one hundred years more. For nowhere upon this earth is there such a town where you can feel the kindness and know Mill Creek will never let you down.

Unknown Author
Reprinted from the 1966 Lincoln Township Centennial Booklet.

The letter above still holds true for this small farming town located near the center of Lincoln Township, in LaPorte County. Mill Creek was settled in 1835 by a caravan of relatives traveling together from Ohio, the town of Mill Creek was originally called Fish Lake. In 1879, the Grand Trunk RR bought the track running through town and, because there was already one Fish Lake on the Trunk Line, the town was christened Mill Creek after the creek which flows west of town. An important shipping point for wood, hay and grain, Mill Creek thrived as a trade center for the surrounding farmers.

Like many rural towns, this is a very tight knit community. Still today it seems Mill Creek's heart is the church and the post office its link to the outside world. The Mill Creek Post Office was established in 1875, later moving to its present location on the town's main street. The Mill Creek office, one of the oldest and smallest in the county, is still outfitted with its original brass mailboxes.