Mill Details

Parks Grist Mill

Washington Co. | Virginia | USA
Known Dates: c. 1780
Township: Abingdon Twp.
Watersource: Fifteen Mile Creek.
Location / Directions

Parks Grist Mill

Take exit 17 off I-81 at Abingdon. Go south on Va 75 about 3.2 miles to Parks Mill Road on the left. Turn left and go about 1.5 miles to the mill on the left.




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Verse for Thought
There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel's veins; And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains. "There Is a Fountain" by William Cowper 1731-1900
({From the Nazarene hymnal - Sing to the Lord})
Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

The original mill, built c. 1780 by Oliver Alexander, ground corn meal, oat and wheat flour.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

Jasper Brown bought the mill in 1942, having purchased the mill from long time owners, 136 years, the Parks family. They operated the mill fropm 1806 into 1942.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

Dave Brown, Jasper's son, operated the mill with Jasper and then alone into the 1980's.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

Two of three roller mills in a row in the mill.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

A 5 lb. paper sack for white, bolted, corn meal during Jasper A. Brown's operation of the mill.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

The upstream dam on Fifteen Mile Creek.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

The sluice box flow that supplies water to the ovewrshot wheel at the mill.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

Water can be diverted just before the wheel, sending the water back into the creek.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

The wheel and attached gearing as seen from above the sluice box.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

The stone set and apron on the stone housing.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

An old vintage photo from the early 1900's of the Parks Mill.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

A similar view as the vintage photo, of todays mill.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

The current owners offer freshly-milled corn meal, grits, and other products still produced with water power.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

An anonymous peom entitled: "An Ode to Flour-sack Underwear (sp)".

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

The mill store at Parks Mill, 21405 Parks Mill Road. The old mill and surrounding buildings are now also a great source of North Carolina style B-B-Que.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

The old grist mill, general store, barbecue restaurant, bed and breakfast, and garage almost make the area a self-contained community.

Parks Grist Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 01/01/2007

GPS: 36' 38.59'N, 81' 57.58'W ele. 1,811'/552 meters Abingdon Quadrangle

 
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