Near Greer in Greenville County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Gilreath's Mill
Photographed by M. L., September 1, 2008
1. Gilreath's Mill Marker
Department of Archives and History
Gilreath's Mill
has been entered on
The National Register of Historic Places
by the
United States Department of the Interior under provisions of the National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966
Erected 1976.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1966.
Location. 34° 58.381′ N, 82° 16.702′ W. Marker is near Greer, South Carolina, in Greenville County. It is on Gilreath Mill Road (State Highway 101), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2346 Gilreath Mill Road, Greer SC 29651, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate and in the Greater Greenville-Spartanburg Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Methodist Men Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); Suber's Mill (approx. 3 miles away); Spring-Wood Park (approx. 3.3 miles away); Indian Boundary Line (approx. 3.7 miles away); Tribute to Greer Firefighters (approx. 3.7 miles away); Southern Bleachery Mill Village / Mill Superintendent House (approx. 3.7 miles away); Mike Garfield (approx. 3.7 miles
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Col. John and Jane Thomas (was approx. 1.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing); O'Neal Village (was approx. 2.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Chick Springs (was approx. 3.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Manufacturing Site (was approx. 3.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. Gilreath's Mill - Waymarks. Built in 1812 (in 2008 this is 196 years ago), it was originally constructed as a corn mill. (Submitted on September 21, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. Gilreath's Mill. Gilreaths Mill is one of the few remaining mills in South Carolina that recalls the vital tradition of rural industry. (Submitted on September 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. About Gilreath's Mill
Built in 1812, Gilreath's Mill was built and operated by Joel Bruce
Photographed by M. L., September 1, 2008
2. Gilreath's Mill Marker Attached to Front of Building.
From the National Register nomination form: "The original mill, a two-and-one-half story frame building, is still standing...Tradition dates is ca. 1814 but the first contemporary account is 1839."
— Submitted February 6, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
Photographed by Brian Scott, February 5, 2009
3. Gilreath's Mill - Fromt Door
Although the mill was originally operated by Joel Bruce, it is known as Gilreath's Mill due to the name painted on this door.
Photographed by M. L., October 25, 2005
4. View of Gilreath's Mill, looking North from Hwy 101
Photographed by M. L., October 20, 2005
5. View of Gilreath's Mill, looking South on Hwy 101
Photographed by M. L., October 20, 2005
6. Gilreath's Mill
Photographed by Brian Scott, July 1, 2003
7. Stone Pillars Supporting Gilreath's Mill
Photographed by Brian Scott, July 1, 2003
8. Gilreath's Mill - Rear Overhang
From the National Register nomination form: "A projecting pent roof is located between the first and second levels. On the rear of the nineteenth century mill, a shed dormer window faces the water wheel."
Photographed by Brian Scott, February 5, 2009
9. Gilreath's Mill and Water Wheel
according to the current owner (4th generation) the creek is not nearly strong enough to power the wheel. Water was brought from a pond upstream via an earthen millrace to a wooden millrace which fed the water to the wheel.
Photographed by Brian Scott, February 5, 2009
10. Gilreath's Mill
Photographed by M. L., October 20, 2005
11. Gilreath's Mill Water Wheel
Photographed by M. L., May 18, 1998
12. Gilreath's Mill Water Wheel
Photographed by M. L., May 18, 1998
13. Gilreath's Mill Water Wheel
Photographed by M. L., May 18, 1998
14. Gilreath's Mill Water Wheel
Photographed by Brian Scott, July 1, 2003
15. Gilreath's Mill - Water Wheel
Photographed by Brian Scott, February 5, 2009
16. Gilreath's Mill Water Wheel
Photographed by Brian Scott, February 5, 2009
17. Gilreath's Millstone
From the National Register nomination form: "The mill was an integral part of the social and economic part of the area. A means of procuring staple foods, Gilreath's Mill was also a place where people could congregate."
Photographed by Brian Scott, February 5, 2009
18. Gilreath's Mill -
Interior West Wall
Interior West Wall
From the National register nomination form: "An example of the production levels of the mill is found in the South Carolina Industrial Census of 1860. Owned at that time by John Heller, the mill produced 1750 pounds of cornmeal and 60 bushels of flour. Value of this annual yield was $1750 for the cornmeal and $420 for the flour."
Photographed by Brian Scott, February 5, 2009
19. Gilreath's Mill -
Interior Row of Shelving
Interior Row of Shelving
Photographed by Brian Scott, February 5, 2009
20. Gilreath's Mill -
Interior Millstone Platform
Interior Millstone Platform
Photographed by M. L., October 20, 2005
21. View of the creek that feed the Water Wheel
Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2008, by M. L. 'Mitch' Gambrell of Taylors, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 4,129 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 20, 2008, by M. L. 'Mitch' Gambrell of Taylors, South Carolina. 3. submitted on February 6, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 20, 2008, by M. L. 'Mitch' Gambrell of Taylors, South Carolina. 7, 8. submitted on September 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 9, 10. submitted on February 6, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 11, 12, 13, 14. submitted on September 20, 2008, by M. L. 'Mitch' Gambrell of Taylors, South Carolina. 15. submitted on September 21, 2008, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. submitted on February 6, 2009, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 21. submitted on September 20, 2008, by M. L. 'Mitch' Gambrell of Taylors, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
