The stone mill, with its large steel overshot wheel measuring 42'X 3', was built in 1930. Henry Ford had the hub for the wheel, a gift from The Republic Mining (bauxite) and Manufacturing Company, moved to Rome from Hermitage, an early manufacturing community near Shannon, towards Calhoun from Rome.

The mill was contructed by students of the college, a school in which students work in the fields of their study as part of their education. It was rebuilt in 1977 by students, faculty and alumni, etc. and dedicated as a memorial to Dr. Gordon Keown, an alumni, long time staff-member, and director of the Berry Schools from 1942-44.

The mill was operated by Mr. Green Berry Goodson, for many years, producing meal & grits from Berry College grown corn. Berry Reseroir water was piped to the wheel; which when once primed, gravity was enough to covey the water up the pipe inside the stone tower to pour out over the wheel and turn the massive wheel. The staff and students restored the grinding mechanisms in 1985, so that corn meal and grits are again ground on special occasions such as Mountain Day at the school. Cornmeal is sold at the Oak Hill Museum's Gift Shop when supplies are available.

An excellent photo location for relective photos. The campus at Berry is large and consists of varied topography and vegetation. The mill area, lying in a valley below the south slope of Lavender Mtn., 1701' elevation, is populated primarily with oak and hickory; dogwood, sourwood, and cucumber magnolia as understory; with pines on the drier south slopes. The elevation difference is 1136', down to 565' along the Oostanaula River on campus.

*Update: I just wanted to say that my grandfather, Greenberry Goodson (my mother's father) operated this grist mill in the 1920's and 1930's when it was actually used to grind corn and wheat to be used to feed the students. I have toured the campus many times over the years, before and after it was renovated. Beautiful picture; brings back many great memories. Agnes Crawford Conway 10/16/2010*