Uh oh...
It appears that you're using a severely outdated version of Safari on Windows. Many features won't work correctly, and functionality can't be guaranteed. Please try viewing this website in Edge, Mozilla, Chrome, or another modern browser. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused!
Read More about this safari issue.
ANA
Twenty-five years ago, in February of 2000, my husband Richie surprised me with a proposal at a picnic table beside the Old Mill in North Little Rock. At the time, I didn’t realize the mill’s historic or cinematic significance—I just thought it was a beautiful place for a big moment. Richie isn’t usually known for sweeping romantic gestures, so the fact that he picked such a picturesque spot still makes me smile a quarter-century later. That day sparked my fascination with mills and waterwheels, and since then, we’ve made it a kind of personal mission to explore them all across Arkansas. These historic landmarks combine beauty with history, making them the perfect excuse for a road trip.
Stop 1: The Old Mill – North Little Rock
Officially called Pugh’s Mill, the Old Mill was built in 1933 as a decorative centerpiece for the Lakewood neighborhood development. Designed by artist Dionicio Rodriguez, the faux bois concrete mill looks like weathered wood and stone. While it never functioned as a working mill, it’s one of Arkansas’s most photographed landmarks, thanks in part to its cameo in the opening credits of Gone With the Wind.
Nearby Road Trip Extras: Grab a bite at the Community Bakery, then stretch your legs along the Arkansas River Trail just a few miles away.
Stop 2: War Eagle Mill – Rogers
The only working water-powered mill in the state, War Eagle Mill dates back to 1832. Flood, fire and damage from the Civil War caused the mill to be rebuilt three times, most recently in 1973. Today, the 18-foot waterwheel powers stone grinders that still turn out organic flours and is the centerpiece of the Blackburn Café overlooking the War Eagle River. Each October, the War Eagle Craft Fair draws crowds from across the country.
Nearby Road Trip Extras: Pair your visit with a tour of the War Eagle Caverns or a drive to Hobbs State Park for hiking and lake views, or head into downtown Rogers for shopping and a stop at Iron Horse Coffee Company.
Stop 3: Johnson Mill – Johnson (near Fayetteville)
Built around 1865 by two former Union soldiers, Johnson Mill served as a sawmill, grist mill and flour mill for decades. Some sources indicate a previous mill may have existed on the site prior to the Civil War. The mill was converted from water power to a turbine in 1898 and run by steam. The mill was restored as an inn and remains a striking centerpiece in the community.
Nearby Road Trip Extras: Take a quick trip to Fayetteville’s lively Dickson Street for local dining and entertainment, or explore the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks just a short drive away.
Stop 4: Cane Hill Mills – Cane Hill (near Prairie Grove)
The Cane Hill Mill (also known as Truesdale-Pyeatte and Moore Mill) flourished in the mid-1800s and helped make Cane Hill a thriving hub during the early part of the century. The community was even home to the state’s first Collegiate Institute. During the Civil War, the mill was used by both Confederate and Union forces. Today, the Cane Hill Historic District preserves the town’s history and has worked to preserve many of the buildings. Remnants of the mill are still visible.
Nearby Road Trip Extras: Wander the Cane Hill College campus, tour the historic Presbyterian church, and then head to Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park just down the road.
Stop 5: Morgan’s Mill – Williford (near Hardy)
Located along the Spring River at the mouth of Martin’s Creek, Morgan’s Mill was once a vital part of the Williford community (near Hardy) in the late 1800s. During the Civil War, the Battle of Martin Creek took place nearby. Not much remains of the mill, but it is still a picturesque spot.
Nearby Road Trip Extras: Spend an afternoon browsing the antique shops and diners in the historic Hardy downtown district.
Stop 6: Mitchell Mill – Blanchard Springs
Mitchell Mill once stood along Blanchard Springs, where it provided ground corn and ginned cotton. A flume would carry water from the dam on Mirror Lake to the mill. The remnants of the mill can still be seen near the Blanchard Springs Recreation Area in the Ozark-St St. Francis National Forest.
Nearby Road Trip Extras: Tour Blanchard Springs Caverns, hike the Mirror Lake Trail, drive across a swinging bridge or stop in nearby Mountain View, known as the “Folk Music Capital of the World.”
Stop 7: Old Boxley Mill – Boxley Valley
Built in the 1870s, the Old Boxley Mill (also known as Villines Mill and Whiteley Mill) was once the heart of a self-sustaining valley community. Processing everything from flour to lumber, the mill was a gathering place for locals and helped residents survive in the remote Buffalo River valley. Though it’s no longer operational, the mill’s weathered frame is still standing, preserved by the National Park Service within the Buffalo National River lands.
Nearby Road Trip Extras: Keep your eyes peeled for elk herds in Boxley Valley, visit Jasper and Ponca, go canoeing on the Buffalo River or hike the popular Lost Valley Trail.
Stop 8: Spring Mill – Batesville
Spring Mill has been part of the Batesville landscape since the late 1860s, when a stone dam was built in 1867 by Col. J. A. Schnabel for Anthony N. Simmons. The mill structure went up soon after, around 1869, and it became one of the busiest mills in Independence County. Over the years, it passed through several families before being purchased in 1935 by J. A. Lytle Sr. The Lytle family operated and maintained it for much of the 20th century. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, Spring Mill is especially noteworthy as the only known operable grist mill from that period in Arkansas. Though it’s no longer grinding meal for the community, it remains a landmark and has become a popular central-Arkansas wedding venue.
Nearby Road Trip Extras: Explore Batesville’s historic downtown, stop by the Old Independence Regional Museum, and check out the Christmas lights during the holiday season.
Arkansas’s historic mills tell the story of hard work and community, serving as reminders of the past. Whether you’re drawn by history, scenery or just a good excuse for a road trip, visiting these mills is a rewarding way to explore the Natural State.
We do the work.
You check your email.
Sign up for our weekly e-news.
Get stories sent straight to your inbox!
Like this story? Read more from Julie Kohl
Every barbecue joint worth its smoke serves the classics like pulled...
I grew up with a pond, a creek and a river in my backyard, which meant my...
If you have kids, they've likely looked at you at some point and told you...
Join the Conversation
Leave a Comment