This one’s long overdue.

It’s one I’ve cried over more than once and one that had me feeling like I was burning the candle at both ends.

It’s also the one where I told Isaac, “This one really will be an easy remodel.” I think I need to stop saying that 😉.

Despite a few frustrations–like cabinets arriving baby blue instead of salmon–I’m so excited to finally show you what we’ve been working on all winter and spring.

Meet the newest member of the Seagull Bay family–The Mill House, a downtown property in Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Isaac and I purchased The Mill House in November 2025. Previously, The Garden Guesthouse was owned and operated by The Bayfield Inn. It’s located on First Street, just one block from the Bayfield City Dock and Marina

For years, The Mill House had caught our eye as a charming little cottage surrounded by a colorful English-style garden. Every time we’d pass by, we’d comment on how much character it had and its central location in downtown Bayfield. So when the opportunity finally came along, we jumped at the chance.

The Mill House is a cozy five-suite property with cedar shakes, harbor views, and the kind of location that lets you leave your car parked all weekend. It felt like a natural fit with our other properties, offering the same laid-back, fuss-free stay our guests love right in the heart of downtown Bayfield.

But before I show you around, I want to share one of my favorite things about this property.

It’s not just the location. It’s what stood here long before Bayfield became the tourist destination we know today.

The Story Behind the Name

We don’t know exactly when the building was built, but we do know it wasn’t always where it stands today. At one time, it sat across the street, where the Bayfield Inn parking lot is now.

We’ve also learned moving buildings was fairly common in Bayfield. Some moves were successful, like the Apostle Islands Bookstore. In 1914, it was relocated from the corner of Washington Avenue and First Street to its current location on Rittenhouse Avenue.

Others…not so much. 

In 1977, someone attempted to slide a two-story home across the ice to Madeline Island.

Spoiler alert…the ice won.

And long before Bayfield’s Marina was filled with sailboats, the shoreline was dominated by lumber mills from the late 1800s and into the early 1900s. It was nicknamed Sawdust Flats.

It’s here that lumber barons like R.D. Pike, Frank Boutin, and Henry Wachsmuth, among others, planed millions of feet of pine, hemlock, and hardwoods cut from the mainland and the Apostle Islands.

The last log cut was on September 10, 1924, at the Wachsmuth Lumber Company. The mill’s whistle blew for 9 minutes as the last log went over the rolls and onto the sorting table.

After the mill closed, it was dismantled, the railroad tracks were removed, and an important chapter in Bayfield’s history came to a close.

That history inspired the name.

Since the cottage overlooks the shoreline where Bayfield’s lumber mills once stood, naming it The Mill House felt like a small way to honor the people and industry that helped shape this community.

Slow Down in the Heart of Downtown Bayfield

No longer overlooking Bayfield’s lumber mills, The Mill House offers a front-row seat to Bayfield’s inviting downtown. A half block from Memorial Park—where free lakeside concerts fill the summer air—you’ll find yourself surrounded by the sights, sounds, and easy rhythm of Bayfield life.

One of the things I love most is your day can unfold however you want. Walk around the corner to Wonderstate for a velvety-smooth latte, browse the local shops, hop aboard an Apostle Islands Cruise, come back for an afternoon nap, then head back out for dinner—all without getting in your car.

A few of our units offer views of the harbor and Bayfield’s First Street, where the farmer’s market is held every Saturday. 

The second-story balcony is one of my favorite features of the Mill House. It’s one of those places where it’s easy to lose track of time with a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine after dinner. 

Like our other properties, we wanted the space to feel simple, warm, and uncluttered. Nothing feels overly decorated or fussy. Just comfortable spaces where you can settle in after a day exploring Bayfield. You’ll find thoughtful touches throughout, including:

Rough-cut wooden beams

Warm accent colors

Marbled ceramic end tables

Custom bed frames

English-style garden 

Each room is designed to give you space to relax while keeping you connected to Bayfield’s downtown energy. With kitchenettes, cozy living areas, and private decks, it’s perfect for couples, small families, or friends who enjoy the relaxed rhythm of downtown Bayfield.

We Can’t Wait to Welcome You to Bayfield, Wisconsin

We’re so excited to welcome you to our newest property, The Mill House in downtown Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Now that it’s finished and we’ve welcomed our first guests, who kindly reminded us that we’d forgotten one small detail—we forgot to put luggage racks in the rooms! I can tell you I’m not only relieved but also proud of what we’ve accomplished.

And like The Motel, The Outbounder, and Brownstone Cottage, our mission remains the same, no matter the location:

To help you break free from the demands of everyday life and enjoy a slower pace. When you stay with us, you’ll have just what you need to sit back and relax without the fuss of maintaining a vacation home.

We hope you’ll come stay with us in Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Your Memories with the View!

Mollie, Isaac, Axel, Ridge, and Banks

QUICK LINKS:

Lumber Industry in Bayfield Wisconsin