NEW RIVER MILL
Located at 1580 Dog Creek Road Ext. Ashe County, N.C. is an old grist mill. It is located on the banks of the New River, just about a mile north of Jefferson Landing Golf Course. http://www.hpo.ncdcr.gov/nr/AH0056.pdf
Hundreds of Kayakers from Zaloo's Canoes pass by it every summer. Few have any idea what this old building is or its historical significance to the Nathan's Creek community near Crumpler in Ashe County.
The mill was constructed by Marcus Lafayette Cockerham on a site on Dog Creek where it flows into the South Fork of the New River. Construction was between 1884 and 1899. The waterwheel is beneath the two story structure.
The front of the mill faces the Joe Little Road and bears a sign indicating "1790" and "Wootens Mill". I am not sure the significance of the sign as I know this structure does not date back to 1790 but there are indications that it has been a mill site before the construction of the mill in the late 1800's. There are several adjacent buildings in similar stages of disrepair.
This would make a wonderful historical site for Ashe County as it is a unique part of the history still remaining. Hopefully, someone will soon restore this site before it is lost.
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 5, 2020We returned to the New River. This time in a canoe. As a result we were able to get a better look at this old mill.
The old mill is a feature of the South Fork of the New River as seen on a Zaloo's Canoes adventure. The mill remains in disrepair but is still majestic.
The waterwheel beneath the mill is a feature I have not seen in other surviving grist mills. This mill cries out for restoration. The setting is very unique and the engineering somewhat of a marvel.
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.
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
Built by my ancestors. I have a limited edition pen and ink rendering of it on my wall done by a relative.
ReplyDeleteYOU SHOULD WORK TO HAVE THIS RESTORED...FEW IF ANY WHEEL UNDER MILLS EXIST! THIS IS A GREAT SITE FOR A PARK
DeleteWho 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!!!
DeleteFloods continue to ravish the mill :-(
ReplyDeleteThe 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.
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.
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.)
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.
1775 is when the Marine Corps came alive.
ReplyDelete