We visited the most authentic working grist mill in North Carolina. The Dellinger Mill is four miles outside of Bakersville, North Carolina on the Cane Creek. It is the site of a farmstead and mill that has been working on this site since 1867 when it was constructed by Reuben Dellinger. It is registered in the National Registry of Historical Places and is a historical gem!
The mill is currently operated by Jack David Dellinger, a fourth generation miller. When we were there, Jack David was entertaining a group of tourists so we did not get to talk with him. But he was kind enough to let us wander around the place and take pictures. Jack David Dellinger is a graduate of NC State University and is a retired rocket scientist for NASA...no kidding! This guy helped land Neil Armstrong on the moon! When he retired he moved back home to Hawk, North Carolina and re-opened the family mill. It had been idle since his father died in 1955. GO WOLFPACK! http://www.dellingermill.com/products-and-contacts.html
The mill is nestled between a curvy mountain road and Cane Creek.
The Creek serves as the water power to turn the wheel that grinds the corn. It is diverted into a long millrace that eventually is elevated across the mill yard to the mill.
The mill consists of two buildings built using wood from the extinct American Chestnut tree. One of the remaining buildings is ready to fall in, and two foundations of earlier buildings are on the creek banks upstream from the mill. But regardless what this mill looks like, this mill site is a timeless example of what mountain grist mills were like. One of the best historical operating mills I have seen! Walk onto the Dellinger Mill and you walk into the 19th century. According to Jack, "It's the most peaceful place on this world."
The parking lot is small and the paths are well worn, but walking around you can understand the family commitment that has taken place in order to keep this mill operating for over a century.
It is operated by a 10 foot metal wheel which according to the website is the same machinery originally purchased in 1859. It is perhaps the only such mill operating in the state today.
Peering inside the mill is an eclectic experience. It is as if you could expect Jack's father or grandfather to appear at any moment and ask if they could help you.
According to Jack, he makes the best cornmeal that anyone has ever tasted. Trouble is he was so busy talking to his tourists, I did not have a chance to buy any! Wonder if he will ship me some?
I really could not get enough pictures of this site. But hopefully the ones I have tell the rich story of a family business lovingly resurrected by an NC State Engineer who claims his 4th grade educated forefathers possessed more practical engineering skills than he has.
The next time I come this way, I am going to email Jack ahead of time to get a personal tour. I plan to send him a link to the blog and feature this mill in my end of the year calendar. My only trouble will be trying to figure out which picture to use!
http://www.dellingermill.com/home-page-dellinger-mill.html
Oh, by the way, we stopped in Bakersville for the Apple Butter Festival....some of the best apple butter I have ever eaten!
Some more photos:
