GRAHAMS FORGE MILL- Wythe County, Virginia

On this small parcel of land nestled on the banks of Reed Creek in Wythe County, Virginia, is one of the most historically significant commercial enterprises of the region.  The Grahams Forge Mill site is listed in the National Historic Registry, but truthfully it is just a dilapidated ruin of a once thriving 19th century business. Originally constructed on this site in 1796 was an iron forge known as Crockett Forge.  But the current building was built around 1890 and operated as a grist mill until 1934. It was owned by Major David Pierce Graham, a civil war hero and wealthy farmer who lived in a nearby mansion.

 Major Graham was the son of Squire David Graham whose family eventually owned 12 iron forges, general store, thousands of acres of property and was partners in mining ventures in the hills of Wythe County. The Grahams Forge Mill site was the epicenter of the family's commercial enterprise.

Behind the massive mill building was the remnants of a dam that crossed Reed Creek where water power was harnessed for the operation of the machinery.  Adjacent to the mill building was a large barn.  The buildings are built upon a limestone foundation and the mill building is a massive five story wooden structure that appears to be one match or a lightening strike away from being kindling. It is a haunting structure.  

The site is accessed by a short walk from State Road 639, Forge Mill Road.  It is an hour away from Winston-Salem via   I-77/I-81. We decided to venture there on the spur of the moment and were pleasantly surprised how easy it was to find. There is no parking, and access is by an overgrown path.  As inviting as the structure is to explore, I can only imagine how rickety the structure must be. What lies behind this door remained a mystery to the Fat Bald White Guy.  Across the street was the white church of the Grahams Forge Methodists.  Find the church and you will find the mill right before you cross the Reed Creek bridge.

On the site are several collapsed buildings and a two story building that looks like it was once a small hotel and general store.  If these buildings could talk, oh the stories they would tell.  Legend says the Major Grahams mansion is haunted, I bet this old store is too!  

Across from the porch of the old brick store building stands as a sentinel to a 20th century contribution to this site - one gas pump.  If you want to see this mill, I suggest you go soon because I am not sure how long it may stand in its current condition. Perhaps this commercial center of yesteryear will be restored as it is the most unique mill I have visited.