Shepard's Mill
Gadsden Co. | Florida | USA
Watersource: Telogia Creek
Shepard's Mill
While traveling west on I-10 from Quincy, Florida area, exit onto Sh 12 SW towards Greensboro. Go about 2.5 miles to the mill beside the road at Telogia Creek.
Florida's last water-powered, commercial grist mill and also noted to be the second closest building to a state highway in Florida, located along Fl 12 just southeast of Greensboro.
The mill with the turbine housing on the downstream side of Telogia Creek. The creek actually flows right under the mill beside the highway bridge. An old Indian trail existed across the creak where the dam was later built.
Another view of the turbine pit showing the large pulley at the top of the shaft that turns a belt that feeds through the wall to turn the stones and other machinery. The shaft with the small wheel/handle on the end can be turned to control the amount of flare to the fins to enable the turbine to change speed.
Photo shows several sets of millstones within the mill, all being over a 100 years old.
A chain inside the mill controls the raising and lowering of the gate to let water into the turbine pit.
This view shows just how close to the path of traffic on Fl 12 the mill is really situated.
Arts and Crafts in the mill are sold on a commission basis, with local folks getting priority. Space is also available for lease for Antiques and Collectables. *Update: Shepard's Mill was closed already in April, 2008. George Bruner 05/31/2009*