Mill Details

Gilreath's Mill

Greenville Co. | South Carolina | USA
Known Dates: 1812, more likely 1839
Township: Chick Springs Twp.
Watersource: Clear (Cleer) Creek, trib. of South Tyger River.

Location / Directions

Gilreath's Mill

This mill is located on the west side of SR 101 north of Greer, between S. Mountain View and N. Rutherford Roads at 2301 SC 101.

Gilreath's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/22/2010

Believed to have been built 1812-1814, but more realisticly built in 1839.

Gilreath's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/22/1010

The two story frame mill, still recalling South Carolinas rual traditions, was first a corn mill. Joel Bruce built and operated the mill on his own 1801-1840 parcel of land.

Gilreath's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/22/2010

It was sold to Washington Taylor in 1873, and then R.D. Gilreath both the mill in 1890.

Gilreath's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/22/2010

From the National register nomination form: "An example of the production levels of the mill is found in the South Carolina Industrial Census of 1860. Owned at that time by John Heller, the mill produced 1750 pounds of cornmeal and 60 bushels of flour. Value of this annual yield was $1750 for the cornmeal and $420 for the flour."

Gilreath's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/22/2010

The waterwheel was placed were it was because the stream water was not strong enough to power the wheel, so additional water was conveyed to the wheel using an earthen raceway, then a wooden one until the water rweached the wheel.

Gilreath's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/22/2010

A plaque to comemmorate the mill being placed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 28, 1976 in conjunction with State of South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Gilreath's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/22/2010

The last owner and operator, c. 1890, P.D. Gilreath had his name painted on the door of the mill. Gilreath converted the mill to flour production in 1890, soon after aquiring the mill.

Gilreath's Mill
Robert T. Kinsey 10/22/2010

The mill, aside from being a source of staples, became an integral part of the econmic and social wellbeing of the area, becoming a great place for neighbors to congregate and share stories advice. GPS: 34' 58.23N, 82' 16.41W

 
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