Visited the Mingus Mill the other day. It seems that the Mingus family moved to the Oconaluftee Valley in the 1790s and built an earlier mill powered by an overshot waterwheel. As the community grew, the old mill wore out and Dr. Mingus contracted with Sion T. Early to build the present structure. Early was a millwright from Virginia and agreed to do the job in three months for $600. His initials, STE, are cut in the front gable just under the eaves. The mill remained in the Mingus family until acquired by the Great Smoky National Park in the 1930s.
During the summer season, the Park Service actually runs the mill and sells whole wheat flour and corn meal. We got a bag of each and will try their bread recipe and make some corn bread and/or hoe cakes.
Not much in the way of insulation!
Love how they're supporting the building.
This was the walkway to the mill.
Stopped into the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum before the dance on Friday night. It is in the old Macon County Jail, built in 1850 and in use until 1972. They still have several cells upstairs. Tiny little museum with big museum content. So glad we stopped in.
Thinking of going to Cherokee tomorrow to visit the Cherokee Indian Museum and go to the outdoor drama, Unto These Hills. Haven't seen this in years and have been told that the script has been updated to be more accurate to the plight of the Cherokee. Looking forward to that and still enjoying the pleasant weather.
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