The Backroads Traveler: Two More Mills

 The Skeenah Creek Mill. Georgia Highway 60, Fannin County.

Thirty-one miles of winding road north of  Dahlonega is a little gem that's probably visited by too few people: it's the Skeenah Creek Mill, located at the Skeenah Creek Campground.

In 1832, Willis Rabun Woody moved his family to this beautiful, remote valley called "Skeenah" by the Cherokees. The name means "Big Bear." Ten years later, in 1848, he built the little mill that still stands on Skeenah Creek. Although the mill is not currently in operation, it is in good condition and could be restored. 

The mill is behind the campground, and even if you're not camping, the gracious people who own the property will welcome you to visit the mill. However, if you should happen to be taking this tour in a camper, you could hardly find a more delightful place to set up and spend a few days. Call Mark and Terry at 706-838-5500 for reservations.

Lee and Gordon Mill, Chickamauga Creek, Chickamauga, Georgia.

 In the northwest corner of the state is the Lee and Gordon Mill. Built by James Gordon on Chickamauga Creek in 1836, the mill was in operation until 1967. After being dormant for years, Frank Pierce, long-time mayor of Chickamauga, bought the property in 1995 and began a six-year process of restoring the building and the dam. Now fully operational, the mill and general store are a fascinating museum of an earlier century. The mill and general store are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and 1–5 p.m. on Sunday. By all means call first! The mill is also a popular venue for weddings and other events. 

(Adapted from my book Backroads and Byways of Georgia.)

Photos: The Skeenah Creek mill was photographed with a Canon EOS 6D camera fitted with a Canon EF 28-105mm lens. For the photo of the Lee and Gordon mill, I used an Olympus E-M5 and a Panasonic Lumix G-Vario 14-140mm lens. 

Visit my online gallery at https://davejenkins.pixels.com/  

Signed copies of my book Backroads and Byways of Georgia are available. The price is $22.95 plus $3.95 shipping. My PayPal address is djphoto@vol.com (which is also my email). Or you can mail a check to 8943 Wesley Place, Knoxville, TN 37922. Include your address and tell me how you would like your book inscribed.

Photography and text copyright 2024 David B.Jenkins.

I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless life gets in the way.

Soli Gloria Deo -- For the glory of God alone.

Tags:   photography   digital photography   Georgia     Canon EOS 6D camera     Canon EF 28-105mm lens     travel photography     Panasonic Lumix G-Vario 14-140mm lens     Olympus E-M5 camera