Logo Towns County Mills
Remains of Old Grist Mills
All Text & Images:
Copyright (2019)

1 - Stephens / Townsend Mill and House, Young Harris

A house was built in 1839, and a grist mill in 1865, by James Stephens, a pioneer settler of Brasstown valley.   The house was built in the New England Salt Box Style.   Both were later purchased by the Gus Townsend family, who expanded the mill operation, adding a second story and sawmill.   The dam would later wash away, but the Townsend family brought in milled flour and cornmeal to continue serving the community.   The mill building eventually fell into disrepair and was torn down; the house still stands.

All that remains of this grist mill is the breached mill dam.


Townsend_Mill_Dam
Mill dam remains, west of creek


Townsend_Mill_Dam
Dam ruins on east side of Brasstown Creek
This was the mill side, no evidence of which remains...



Townsend_Mill_Dam
Close-up of east side dam ruins.


Early_Mill_photo
Undated photo of the grist mill, in its original configuration.


Townsend_Mill_painting
In 2024, our friend Marty Hayden painted the old mill
in its later configuration, with the saw mill added.
The miller's residence, seen at upper left, still stands.



Townsend_Mill_painting
The miller's residence - 2024
The original log structure is enclosed by the later modifications.




Lost Mills Index "Other Historical" Index
Ruins Index N GA - W NC Index
All Text & Images: Copyright 2019.