Pigeon Forge Mill

Pigeon Forge Mill
The Old Mill and milldam
LocationOff U.S. Route 441
Nearest cityPigeon Forge, Tennessee
Coordinates35°47′18″N 83°33′15″W / 35.78833°N 83.55417°W / 35.78833; -83.55417
AreaLess than 1 acre (0.40 ha)[1]
Built1830
(194 years ago)
 (1830)[1]
ArchitectIsaac Love[1]
NRHP reference No.75001778
Added to NRHPJune 10, 1975
(49 years ago)
 (1975-06-10)[1]

The Pigeon Forge Mill, commonly called the Old Mill, is a historic gristmill in the U.S. city of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Located along the West Fork of the Little Pigeon River, the mill complex currently consists of a millhouse, breastshot wheel, and milldam, all of which are operative.[1] The mill is the only structure in Pigeon Forge listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Now a souvenir shop and restaurant, the Pigeon Forge Mill was once part of a small industrial complex established by local businessman Isaac Love (1783–1854) that included the iron forge for which the city was named. The mill was initially used to grind grain— mainly corn, wheat, and oats— for local farmers. During the U.S. Civil War (1861–1865), the mill powered several looms which produced cloth for the military. In the early 1900s, a generator was installed at the mill which provided electricity to the area until 1930. After the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park a few miles to the south in 1934, Pigeon Forge gradually evolved into a tourist boom town, and the mill became a popular stop for passing tourists.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Michael Carberry, "National Registration of Historic Places Nomination Form for Pigeon Forge Mill," July 1974.