Athens in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Making Things in the Mill
Waterwheel to Product
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, June 19, 2021
1. Making Things in the Mill Marker
The system of gears, shafts, pulleys, and belts, called the power train, converted the spinning motion of the waterwheel into other motions that performed work. A gear attached to the waterwheel shaft turned at the speed of the waterwheel. Adding a bevel gear changed the direction of this motion. Varying the size of the gears changed the speed of the connecting shafts. Belts and pulleys allowed the gears and shafts to be positioned far apart and provided power to different floors of the mill. The first electric powered mills still used the power train. Later individual machines had their own motors, providing more flexibility in the layout of the mill.
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Power Train
The power train directly connected the spinning motion of the waterwheel to shafts located on each floor of the mill. The individual machines were powered from these spinning shafts.
Spinning Room
A belt connected to the spinning shaft near the ceiling allowed an individual machine to be started or stopped by slipping the belt on or off a pulley.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce
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Location. 33° 57.493′ N, 83° 21.968′ W. Marker is in Athens, Georgia, in Athens-Clarke County. Marker can be reached from East Broad Street east of First Street, on the right when traveling east. Located in Cook & Brother Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1177 E Broad St, Athens GA 30601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Making Things in the Mill (here, next to this marker); The Millstone (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Making Things in the Mill (here, next to this marker); Water Power (a few steps from this marker); Cook & Brother Armory Building (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Making Things in the Mill (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Making Things in the Mill (a few steps from this marker); Mill Products (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, June 19, 2021
2. Making Things in the Mill Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 17, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 2. submitted on September 18, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
