Floods, Time Destroyed Several Local Mills

Last week’s Picturing the Past featured the Breese Mill and the King Mill located on King’s Creek in Brevard.  Both mills were destroyed by floods in 1916.  Technological advances and improved transportation were quickly reducing the demand for mills in every community.  However there were local mills that operated well into the 1900s and one still in operation today.

Morgan Mill in the Cherryfield area had been built around 1856 by “Big Jim” Morgan.  It survived the 1916 floods.  The metal wheel from the destroyed Breese Mill was purchased and used by Morgan Mill for many years.  It continued to operate into the 1980s.  The mill finally collapsed from a heavy snow in 1998.

Whitmire Mill, also in Cherryfield was constructed by J.L. Whitmire in 1939 and operated until 1964 when damage from floods caused it to close. 

William Breese, Jr. built a mill, also known as Breese Mill, in 1925.  It was located on Hogsed Creek near Maidenhair Falls south of Brevard.

Breese Mill on Hogsed Creek with it metal wheel.

Mill at Rockbrook Camp, 1927

After Henry and Nancy Carrier opened Rockbrook Camp in 1921 an old mill water wheel was used to generate power for the camp.  In the 1930s Duke Power brought electrical lines to the camp and this was no longer used.  The stone foundation is all that remains today.

Gwynn Valley Camp also had a mill that was used to provide power for the camp.   Originally opened in 1923 as Connestee Cove Camp for Girls, Mary Gwynn purchased the property in 1942.  Miss Gwynn had power lines run to camp. 

Gwynn Valley Mill

In the 1980's the old Gwynn Valley Camp water wheel and grist mill were restored.  Today the water-powered mill is used to grind corn for grits, cornmeal and chicken feed and to churn ice cream for the summer campers.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library.  Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs.  For more information, comments or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-3151 X242.