Near Varnell in Whitfield County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Prater's Mill
Prater’s Mill Dates from 1855 and is in remarkably good shape thanks to the Prater’s Mill Foundation. Built by John Pitner, the grist mill and a nearby sawmill operated from a single water-powered turbine. Together the two mills carved a center of economic activity from lands that had only recently been part of the Cherokee Nation. Eventually, ownership of the mills passed into the hands of Pitner’s son-in-law, Ben Prater. The property stayed in business until the 1960s.
During the Civil War, both Union and Confederate soldiers passed through the area. In February 1864, Federal cavalry camped around the mill property while surveying the southern defensive positions north of Dalton. In May 1864, during a skirmish at nearby Varnell’s Station, Ben Prater’s 17 slaves gathered on the front porch of the grist mill from where they listened to the distant gunfire. Following the war, Prater’s former slaves settled near the mill. Many are buried on the property, and some of their descendants remain in the area to this day.
National Park Service Historian Emeritus Ed Bearss has said of Prater’s Mill, “Think of the wonderful stories the mill can tell. This is walking in the footsteps of history.”
Grounds open daily.
Erected by Prater’s Mill Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1864.
Location. 34° 53.731′ N, 84° 55.218′ W. Marker is near Varnell, Georgia, in Whitfield County. Marker is on Prater Mill Road NE (Georgia Route 2), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Varnell GA 30756, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Prater’s Mill and The Civil War (here, next to this marker); Water Turbine (a few steps from this marker); Prater’s Mill Store (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Prater’s Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Lacewell’s Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Cotton Gin (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Federal Road (approx. 1½ miles away); Historic Varnell Home (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Varnell.
Also see . . . Prater's Mill Historic Site. Explore Georgia website entry (Submitted on July 19, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 278 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 19, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.