Our history: 1900-1947
The following is a History of Hazel Creek Mill as written by Mrs. Edith Nash in 1995. Edith was the wife of Robert Nash. Robert and Edith are the last and current owners of the Mill and Shoals Property.
In 1900, Habersham County sold T.A. Loudermilk twenty-two (22) acres which included the “Mill Shoals”. The “Mill” was operated by Tom Loudermilk from 1900-1914. Mr. Loudermilk’s foot slipped while he was greasing the wheel and his leg got caught in the cogs. He lost his leg due to the accident and was never able t work again. Martha Loudermilk, Tom’s daughter, ran the “Mill” for another eighteen (18) years. Tom Armour operated the “Mill” fro Martha. He also operated a shingle mill where shingles were sawed from 18 inch blocks of wood. A corn sheller was located in a separate building.
The wooden wheel was replaced in the mid-1920’s. The new wheel came from Hanover, Pennsylvania by train and wagon. The metal wheel is seventeen feet in diameter and has three feed brass plates. A Piedmont Alumnus said “watching the wheel being installed was the most exciting thing around when he was in school”. He also admitted doing a little courting on the rocks by the shoals.
The Mill Stones used to grind the grain are 48 inches in diameter and are still in good condition. The Stones contain flint and are made to grind from coarse to fine. Mr. Burton said “the stones have to be sharpened with special heavy metal tools called “Mill Bills” and he is one of the few stone dressers left in these parts”. It took less than 10 minutes to process a bushel of corn – depending on how fine it had to be ground. Money was scarce in those days so farmers bartered there goods. On-eighth of the meal ground was given to the miller in payment for grinding the corn.
The “Mill” was also a Social Gathering Place. Farmers would bring their families with them to the “Mill”. Picnics were a common sight. Women sat and visited while the children scampered up-and-down the shoals or fished from the banks. Stories have been handed down from one generation to the next about favorite trips t the “Mill”. Although the “Mill” has been called many names – Jackson Creek Mill, McCrackin Mill, Ansley Mill, Short Mill, Hazel Creek Mill and Loudermilk Mill – the old timers still call it the Loudermilk Mill.
John Stuart, Father of Lena Bell Stuart, rented the “Mill’ and ran it until 1933 and 1934. One Saturday afternoon in 1934, when Lena Bell and Martha Loudermilk were running the mill, a belt slipped off the wheel and the lower ground floor. John Dyer, who had come to the mill to have his corn ground said he could slip the belt back on. One of the ladies turned the power off; But, before the wheel stopped turning, Mr. Dyer tried to slip the belt back on. His coat got caught in the flywheel and he got mangled. John Henry Ansley got him out of the wheel and carried him to the wagon. He died on the way to Gainesville Hospital.
Dock Loudermilk, Great-Nephew of Tom Loudermilk, told of times when the “Lowlanders” from Florida, folks from the Georgia Coast, and the Vacationers from Atlanta would come to spend the summer in Mt. Airy. He says they would come to the mill pond to swim and fish. It was called “Tom Armour Mill Pond” back then.
Records show that in the 1850’s James McCrackin deeded to his sons “Water Power” rights on the “Mill Shoals”. There is also a Quitclaim Deed allowing water to be backed up the creek in 1859. These records seem t date the “Mill” sometime during the 1850’s or early 1860’s. There are also references that there was a Mill Pond at one time. According to Homer Ansley, his Grandparents said the first “Mill” was on the other side of the creek. Another Old Timer says the “Mill” was always on the side of the creek where it now sits. He says the Clarkesville-Mt. Airy Road has been moved, that at one time it was above the “Mill”. He said that old road maps at the Courthouse would show this. (These old maps are not available. Must go tot Archives in Atlanta to get copies.). According to Tom Loundermilk’s son Connie, the present “Mill” was built in 1880 by Tom Loudermilk. (Research has not been completed on this. No records have been found nor does anyone remember stories about the “Mill” being moved).
The property changed hands in 1870. Starlin Yearwood purchased 500 acres which included the “Mill Shoals” and ½ interest in the “Water Power”. In 1876, Yearwood sold to W.D. Grant 115 acres which included the “Mill Shoals”. Grand deeded the 115 acres to his wife, S.J. Grant in 1884.
In 1892, W.D. Grant sold to Habersham County 262 acres which included the “Mill Shoals”. The county operated a “Pauper’s Farm” on the land. The people lived in one and two room houses and farmed the land. The Grand Jury records of that time reflects $3.53 per woman and child was allowed from county taxes. The farm had to generate the balance of its operating funds from farming activities. The corn raised on the farm was ground at the “Mill”. The last manager of the farm was Eric Loudermilk. Hazel Creek Baptist Church Cemetery is the final resting place of a number of the paupers who died while living on the “Farm”. You can still see the rock wall that was built around the Manager’s house. It is on Hazel Creek Road across front the church. A new house has been built on the land. However, the owners have retained the old rock wall.