Alvin C. York Grist Mill
Fentress Co. | Tennessee | USA
Watersource: Wolf River
Alvin C. York Grist Mill
From Crossville in Fentress County, Tennessee, go north on US 127 about 47 miles to the town of Pall Mall. The mill will be on the left in a small state park right after crossing the Wolf River.
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The grist mill and dam were built on the Wolf River and operated by York until his death in 1964. Since then, the farm has been designated a National Historic Landmark District and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
York's Family farm, grist mill, and burial site are now maintained by Tennessee as a State Historic Park.
Tennessean hero, Alvin C. York, was one of the most decorated soldiers in World War I. On Oct. 8, 1918, while leading a small patrol through the Argonne Forest in France, Sgt. York had the assignment to eliminate a flank of opposition machine gun fire that was halting his regiment's advancement.
York found himself alone, facing a German machine gun unit and he took them on with only a rifle and a pistol. The fight ended with over 20 German soldiers dead and another 132 soldiers surrendering along with their four oficers and 35 machine guns.
For his efforts he was awarded a dozen medals including the Congressional Medal of Honor.After the War, he returned to his family farm in Pall Mall, nestled in the Tennessee Mountains. York never seeked to capitalize on his fame, and instead led a quiet life.
Inlet to the turbine for Wolf Creek power supply.
The dam on Wolf Creek located behind the mill.
The geared inlet from the river controlling the volume flow through the inlet channel to the turbine.
The turbine located below the right rear section of the mill.
Major power gearing clustered on the perpendicular turbine shaft. The gearing distributes the proper movement to other parts of the mill powered from the water flow.
Lineshaft with pulleys powered by belt from the main power system, geared from the turbine.
A couple of roller mill stands manufactured by Savage & Tyler, Knoxville, Tn.
Cornmeal grindstone set.
Scourer for grain. Cleaned the grain of dirt and must.
A homemade machine to clean corn kernels before grinding began to produce cornmeal or, in the case of livestock feed, cracked corn or mash.
A double rotary sifter also manufactured by Savage & Tyler, Knoxville, Tn. Two units are mounted, one above the other.
A receipt slip used in the nearby York store, where the mill products were sold.
The York Store, now-a-days known as the Valley of the Three Forks Antique and Gift Shop.
A parting shot of the mill from a slightly different angle.GPS: 36' 32.49'N, 84' 57.72'W ele. 873'/266 meters Pall Mall Quadrangle