Located just down the road from where we are currently living is an old grist mill. It is located right on the roadside and grabbed my interest the first time I saw it. I had to dig to find out all I could about its history. I finally found it online and wanted to share the info with you today. Gilreath’s Mill is one of the few remaining mills in South Carolina that recalls the vital tradition of rural industry. The mill is a two and one-half story frame building with a steep gable roof. Built in 1812, Gilreath's Mill was built and operated by Joel Bruce on land he owned between 1801-1840. At first, this two-story mill was a corn mill, but after 1890, it became a flour mill. Washington Taylor bought it in 1873, and then in 1890, P.D. Gilreath became the owner of the mill. Gilreath's Mill remains in the ownership of the Gilreath family even today.Other rooms on the present building include two gable-roof sheds attached to the north of the original section. The water wheel, separate from the mill, is southwest of the structure. Production of cornmeal and flour was essential to the people living nearby and therefore to the economic structure of the area. 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. Cornmeal and flour were strong commodities on a statewide level. In 1882, for example, Gilreath’s Mill was one of 720 grist mills in South Carolina producing 22% of all manufactures, second only to cotton products. The mill was an integral part of the social and economic setting of the area. A means of procuring staple foods, Gilreath’s Mill was also a place where people could congregate. Listed in the National Register May 28, 1976. Also known in the past as Heller’s Mill, Bruce’s Mill and Taylor’s Mill. The photos below are all ones I found online and I don't know who took these photos so can't give proper credit to the photographers. I have only passed by it several times a day but have not stopped to take any photos yet. It is not in a good location to just pull over and walk around since the road is pretty busy.
a picture of the water wheel... looks like some of these photos were taken during the winter months
you can see how close it sits to the road
the door still has the name of PD Gilreath painted on it and I see it each time I pass by
