In 1990, Dundee won designation in American history through inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Following are excerpts from the proposal submitted to the Federal government, with minor changes and elaboration for clarity.

Dundee’s historic district is made up of two parts. The first part is the area on both banks of the River Raisin, where a dam, millrace, and early industries were located, including to the south a prominent Greek Revival mill and its property. 

The other part includes the commercial area of the downtown located on the river’s north bank. This area includes a central triangular park, and a grouping of 19th century structures situated around this triangle. 

The village of Dundee was established in 1823. The town’s location was in large part determined by a narrowing in a bend of the River Raisin, which allowed for a logical crossing spot on the road west from Monroe. The small downtown is set back from the river’s north bank, behind a narrow riverfront park which was once the site of a mill race and a number of water-powered industries. An old residential area stands to the southwest down Riley Street. Tecumseh Street to the west leads to the US-23 expressway and a small area of strip development at the west edge of town. On the north and east side of town are older residential areas. 

In about 1850 Henry Angell constructed a handsome three-story Greek Revival structure, which still stands in it original location on the south bank of the river. The structure was used by a series of owners during the 19th century, both as a gristmill and flouring mill. In the early 29th century it was used to generate electric power. The mill building stood vacant and unused from 1925 until 1934. It had deteriorated to the point of being a fire hazard and was scheduled for demolition. At the “11th hour,” Henry Ford purchased the mill for use as the site of one of his village industries. Ford’s purpose in buying it, and others in southeastern Michigan, was to show how waterpower could better be used in rural areas. His goal, he stated, was to decentralize industry, and thus humanize it by combining industry and agriculture. In 1934 and 1935, Ford had the mill carefully restored, with new exterior boards and replacement of all deteriorated framework. Using limestone blasted from the riverbed, his workmen then built a carefully crafted addition and installed a new turbine. The “village factory” was then put to use making copper tips for welding machines. It remained a Ford facility until 1954, when it was sold to the Wolverine Manufacturing Company. 

The Old Mill, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was given to the village in 1970 and is now a museum. 

Over time a series of dams were constructed across the river at the mill site. The first, in 1827, was made of brush with earth compacted into it. The second, in 1846, was a log dam, composed of cut trees that had been trimmed and laid with interlocking ends. The third, built in 1897, was called a “rafter dam” and held the water back with planking fastened to upright posts driven into the riverbed. The current concrete dam was constructed in 1912. The top two feet of the 1897 dam was cut off shortly after construction in response to flooding problems in farmland upstream. Surprisingly, builders of the 1912 dam made the same mistake and, after a two-year court battle, were ordered to remove the top two feet of their dam also. Even more surprisingly, Henry Ford started to make the same mistake when he refurbished the dam in 1935. He started a new and higher dam but apparently stopped in response to complaints after building out about 20 into the river. That section of relatively new concrete dam, over which no water flows, can still be seen today. 

Also of significant historic import in Dundee is the triangular park in the center of downtown. The triangle shaped piece of land was given to the village by its early owners as an unplatted space with the stipulation that it always be reserved for public use. By mid century, the town well was located there (and remained in use until 1940). Between 1909 and 1913 it was enlarged and became Memorial Park. An ambitious patriotic project included the acquisition of a naval cannon, erection of a new flagpole, and construction of a memorial bandstand with carved stone walls created by a local monuments firm. The park remains as established at that time. 

The structures immediately surrounding the triangle are the functional core and visual focus of the downtown’s commercial area. The early wood frame buildings were replaced with two-story, brick, Italiante style storefronts. This style was prevalent everywhere during this period, but seldom is there found as much uniformity in the use of the style as in Dundee. Fifteen buildings, containing 28 storefronts, make up this assemblage, which, with one exception, (built about 1930) were all built between 1869 and 1892. 

Since 1990, when the designation on the National Register was granted, more restoration work has taken place in the downtown area, and the beautiful river walk, taking full advantage of the water falling dramatically over the dam, was constructed.