Athens in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Mill Products

Lumber, Grist, and Ginning

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, June 19, 2021

1. Mill Products Marker

Inscription. Athens' first settlers used the huge forests and fertile soil of the area to build their homes and provide food and clothing material.

The first industry along the North Oconee River in Athens was a sawmill and gristmill run by Daniel Easley. Water provided the power to saw wood, and cut corn and wheat into a course meal called grist. The grist could be ground further into flour. After cotton was intruded into the area (ca. 1800), Mr. Easley offered cotton ginning as a service. William Carr ran a water-powered grist and sawmill upstream on trail Creek. By changing raw materials into a more finished product, these industries helped Athens grow from a frontier village into a bustling town.

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At the sawmill huge oak, hickory, chestnut, and pine trees were sawn into lumber to provide wood for houses, barns, fences, wagons, wheels, barrels, tool handles, furniture, and other items.

The local farmers brought their wheat and corn seeds to the gristmill to be ground into grist and flour.

The water-powered cotton gin cleaned the seed and lint from the king cotton fibers. This allowed the settlers to card and

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spin the fibers more easily.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 33° 57.483′ N, 83° 21.968′ W. Marker is in Athens, Georgia, in Athens-Clarke County. It can be reached from East Broad Street east of First Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1170 E Broad St, Athens GA 30601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Classic City Area

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Mill Products (here, next to this marker); Making Things in the Mill

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, June 19, 2021

2. Mill Products Marker

(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 Mill Products (a few steps from this marker); The Millstone (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); a different marker also named Mill Products (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 358 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 18, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.