Avon and Dequindre Roads are Closed at Intersection Near Yates Cider Mill

The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) has closed Avon Road from John R Road to 23 Mile Road and Dequindre Road from Hamlin Road to 23 Mile Road on the Rochester Hills and Shelby Township border to replace the Avon Road bridge over the Clinton River and to replace the Avon/Dequindre intersection with a roundabout.  Bridge and Roundabout Going in at Avon and Dequindre Roads The demolition and reconstruction of the bridge is expected to start immediately, while the roundabout at … [Read more...]

Road Commission Seeking Input on Avon/Dequindre Corridor Project

Avon Road Corridor Improvement Plan The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), in partnership with the Macomb County Department of Roads, the cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills and Shelby Township, is seeking public input on a proposed plan to improve the Avon Road/Dequindre Road corridor between The Avon/Dequindre intersection and the 23 Mile Road/Dequindre intersection on the Oakland County/Macomb County border. The road improvement will include: A roundabout at the … [Read more...]

Dear Crabby, Are the Cider Mills Open as Usual?

Dear Crabby, Are the Cider Mills Open as Usual? Sincerely, Johnny A. Hi Johnny, Well yes they are! And they are busy! If you like lines, go on the weekend. However, if you're like me and cannot stand a line for any reason (unless it's for something free) then go through the week and go to a smaller cider mill, such as Rochester Cider Mill or Goodison Cider Mill. But the Rochester area has four great mills and you should hit them all at least once this season. Dear Crabby Gives … [Read more...]

Rochester Cider Mill is Oakland Township’s Oldest Cider Location

In 1938, Frederick Sargeant and his son, George, planted an orchard on a 73-acre parcel along North Rochester Road in Oakland Township. Sargeant’s Fruit Farm sold apples, peaches, and cherries, along with tomatoes, potatoes, and flowers from a farm stand on the property. In 1948-49, they made an addition to the building to accommodate a cider mill and an additional sales room. At first, the Sargeants took their apples to Yates Cider Mill to have them pressed into cider, but then Frederick and … [Read more...]

Dear Crabby, What is the Longest Running Business in Rochester or Rochester Hills?

Dear Crabby, What is the Longest Running Business in the Rochester or Rochester Hills? Sincerely, Kathleen Novetsky   Dear Kathleen, A better question for our historical writer, Deborah J. Larsen ... but I'll have a go at. You're really asking two questions in one, and you also don't say "still operating," but I'll assume that's what you mean. For Rochester Hills, it could be a tie with many businesses. When Rochester Hills became a city, any existing businesses in Avon Township … [Read more...]

Yates is the “Granddaddy” of Rochester Area Cider Mills

The nation was in the throes of the Civil War when William Henry Yates and his wife, Caroline, bought 80 acres of land on the Clinton River in southeastern Avon Township. It was April 1863, and the Yateses, with their nine-year-old son, Frank, made the trip to their new home in Michigan from Madison County, New York. Settling on land at what we know today as the intersection of Avon and Dequindre roads, William Yates used an existing dam on the Clinton River to power a lumber and … [Read more...]

Rochester Cider Mill Tasting and Tour

Rochester Cider Mill Tasting and Tour Day Trip with the OPC Join cider aficionado, Michael Dwyer, as the Older Persons Commission (OPC) visits three local cider mills with the OPC bus. Attendees will enjoy plenty of delicious samplings as they learn about cider and the mills. Items will be available for purchase so attendees can take some additional autumn delights home with them. Cider Mills include Rochester Cider Mill, Middleton Cider Mill, and Yates Cider Mill. Reservations by phone … [Read more...]

Spring Cider at Yates Cider Mill this Friday

Yates Cider Mill Announces Spring Cider Pressing Opening Day Yates Cider Mill is kicking off its Spring and Summer seasons on Friday, April 13, doors will open at 7:00 a.m. The first apples will arrive from winter cold storage next week and Yates will be pressing throughout the day on April 13. Cider will be available for purchase that day as well. Yates Cider Mill will once again be offering its famous donuts, cider, fudge and bakery favorites along with its summer ice cream features … [Read more...]

Water-Powered Mills of the Rochester Area

Mill Town Heritage of Rochester and Avon Township The real estate professional’s mantra that “location is everything” was as true in Rochester’s pioneer days as it is today. Long before the James Graham party led white settlers to today’s Oakland County, its hospitable lakes and streams and the excellent fishing they offered drew native people to the area. Water also attracted the Grahams and those who followed them. It was an essential element to sustain life, and it would power the new … [Read more...]

Yates Cider Mill Announces Free Donuts EVERY DAY During the Month of December

To celebrate the end of fall, and to welcome the holiday season, Yates Cider Mill will be offering free donuts during the month of December. The community is invited to stop in and enjoy one of Yates famous cider mill donuts. Yates Cider Mill is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Mill will also be launching its first ever '12 Days of Yates' offering specials announced on Facebook and Instagram beginning December … [Read more...]