Hickory Valley in Hardeman County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Sassafras Mill

1920 - 1974

Photographed By Ken Smith, April 11, 2009

1. Sassafras Mill Marker

Inscription. This is the boiler portion of the sassafras mill that operated in Hickory Valley. It took native sassafras roots and processed them into an aromatic oil used in medicine, perfume, and flavoring. A man with a mule regularly dug a ton of roots a day and was paid $14.00. One owner promoted the mill by paying his workers with bills dipped in the oil. In its final years of operation, the Hickory Valley sassafras mill was the only one in the United States.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4C 36.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list.

Location. 35° 9.216′ N, 89° 7.69′ W. Marker is in Hickory Valley, Tennessee, in Hardeman County. Marker is at the intersection of Tennessee Route 18 and Church Street, on the right when traveling south on State Route 18. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7115 Hwy 18 S, Hickory Valley TN 38042, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Battle of Middleburg (approx. 3.9 miles away); Grand Junction (approx. 7.9 miles away); First Bird Dog Field Trials

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(approx. 8 miles away); The Bird Dog Foundation, Inc. (approx. 8 miles away); The Bird Dog & Field Trial Capital of the World (approx. 8.4 miles away); Woodlawn (approx. 9 miles away); The Gloster - Anderson Graveyard (approx. 9.6 miles away); Lucy Petway Holcombe Pickens House (approx. 9.9 miles away).

Photographed By Ken Smith, April 11, 2009

2. Sassafras Mill Marker

Sassafras Mill Boiler image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ken Smith, April 11, 2009

3. Sassafras Mill Boiler

Hickory Valley sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ken Smith, April 11, 2009

4. Hickory Valley sign

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 895 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 20, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.