tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4889799915597642940.post3101090265521612531..comments2024-01-22T10:15:23.688-08:00Comments on Hiking with a Fat Bald White Guy: COCKERHAM/WOOTEN MILL ASHE COUNTY, NCtommy cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04218730256641745349noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4889799915597642940.post-3282114475614381272023-06-13T09:27:56.816-07:002023-06-13T09:27:56.816-07:001775 is when the Marine Corps came alive. 1775 is when the Marine Corps came alive. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4889799915597642940.post-41767734564034432302022-08-30T09:40:06.178-07:002022-08-30T09:40:06.178-07:00Floods continue to ravish the mill :-(
The sluic...Floods continue to ravish the mill :-( <br />The sluice return has started to wash out, we're working on a way to prevent that especially since it sends water straight under the mill and cuts the creek bank. The concrete reinforcements to the dam wall are showing their age as well but have held up fairly well for 35 years.<br />The mill has been reinforced and has two steel beams under it now, plus the mass timbers. I would like to see some of the internal structure shored up more as well.<br />I talked to Dad about the 1775 date up there. He said that references the original mill that was built there and then the following 1790 as well as the current mill that was built in 1887 (we think.) <br />It was in use up to the 1970s as a grist mill and molasses. Interestingly, the main wheel didn't actually turn the grist mill?! That was done by a separate turbine under the mill.Wes W>https://www.blogger.com/profile/10802178042086252589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4889799915597642940.post-38610879046868669062019-08-04T09:15:50.238-07:002019-08-04T09:15:50.238-07:00Who were your ancestors? Our family is from Ashe C...Who were your ancestors? Our family is from Ashe County and our great grandmother and her sister had a mill. Her names as we know it is Elizabeth Brooks/Miller we can't find any information on her. My grandfather was adopted by the Johnsons who had Kit Carson Tourist Lodge in West Jefferson. I am drawing at straws chasing down mills to try to get back another step on her. BTW that mill is amazing!!! Lynnekitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05402274164793129983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4889799915597642940.post-11162317975593724832019-05-27T16:14:37.073-07:002019-05-27T16:14:37.073-07:00YOU SHOULD WORK TO HAVE THIS RESTORED...FEW IF ANY...YOU SHOULD WORK TO HAVE THIS RESTORED...FEW IF ANY WHEEL UNDER MILLS EXIST! THIS IS A GREAT SITE FOR A PARKtommy cookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04218730256641745349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4889799915597642940.post-37681235218908578592019-02-16T13:27:53.341-08:002019-02-16T13:27:53.341-08:00Built by my ancestors. I have a limited edition pe...Built by my ancestors. I have a limited edition pen and ink rendering of it on my wall done by a relative.Randihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16547529019748204900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4889799915597642940.post-23622677611286401742018-07-10T10:23:29.985-07:002018-07-10T10:23:29.985-07:00This is my father's property. I'm not sur...This is my father's property. I'm not sure what the 1790 refers to either, I'll have to ask him. It may be in reference to a date carved in stone next to the mill location. <br /><br />The internal structure of the mill is still intact, though not safe enough to permit entry. The water wheel was almost completely destroyed a few years back in a really bad flood, but it is still there under the mill. <br />The mill property originally consisted of 5 buildings, including the home. It was one of the first places in Ashe County to have electricity; Mr. Cockerham installed his own generator that was run by the mill sluice. (The concrete pad for this is still there, just below the house near the river.)<br /><br />Pop finally got the house listed as a National Register in 2014 and has tried on several occasions to find people willing to restore the actual building. Since he purchased the property in 1980 he has restored the home and done work to the horse barn. The chicken house had to be demolished, but the remnants of the molasses shed are still there. We had to install a steel beam under the free-floating side of the mill (over the wheel) and we had to concrete the corner pillar that stands in the creek. This pillar was dry-stacked stone and stood for over 100 years until two back to back floods almost took it out.<br /><br />The dam was also originally all dry-stacked stone. They tried to demolish it back in the 60s or so and after several attempts with dynamite they finally just gave up.<br /><br />Thanks for noting the area, it is absolutely beautiful country up there and I have many good memories of my visits there. If Pop is there he will gladly tell anyone the history, just ask first.Wes W>https://www.blogger.com/profile/10802178042086252589noreply@blogger.com