The Mill Springs Mill, located off Kentucky Route 90 at Mill Springs in Wayne County, Kentucky, is a historic watermill built in 1877. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[1] It is the centerpiece of Mill Springs Park.
Mill Springs Mill | |
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| Location | Off KY 90, Mill Springs, Kentucky |
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| Coordinates | 36°56′03″N 84°46′44″W / 36.93417°N 84.77889°W |
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1877 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000858[1] |
| Added to NRHP | April 11, 1973 |
It is located on a descent to the Cumberland River. The springs uphill from the site were reportedly discovered by pioneer Daniel Boone, who suggested the site would be a good location for a mill.[2]
The mill is a three-story frame building upon a 20 feet (6.1 m) basement, 40 by 40 feet (12 m × 12 m) in plan, supported by large stone columns. Its 1972 NRHP documentation states: "When the present structure was erected in 1877, a wooden wheel of 28 feet height was installed. When it was sold in 1907, the 28 foot wheel was removed and the present 40 foot high, 3 feet in breadth, wheel was installed."[3]
It goes on to state that "The site includes the actual mill, the numerous springs and a small area which has been converted into a small roadside park. There is also a small frame building, formerly used as a granary, which is presently used by the Monticello Woman's Club as a gift shop."[3]
It was deemed "important because of its historical role in the local commercial trade; in the fields of industry and engineering because of the unusual 40 foot wheel."[3]
The mill was restored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1976.[4]
The site is open on weekends, seasonally, for visitors to tour and see corn being ground.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
- ^ Per video at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers webpage.
- ^ a b c James M. Frazer (August 30, 1972). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Mill Springs Mill". National Park Service. Retrieved April 24, 2018. With accompanying four photos from c.1960 and 1965
- ^ "Mill Springs Park". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Includes video and photos.
- ^ "Mill Springs Mill and Brown Lanier House". KentuckyTourism.Com. Retrieved April 24, 2018.