Ragsdale Mill & Saw Mill - Banks Co. Georgia

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Ragsdale Mill & Saw Mill
Mill No: Ga-06-01-RagsdaleMill

Official Mill Website:
www.nancy.cantrell.cc/

State -	Georgia
County -	Banks Co.
Township -	u/k
Year -	1863
Water Source -	Ragsdale Creek.

Pictures by: Grady Allen, fall 2005 - Ragsdale Mill was built by the Reverend Francis Marian Ragsdale, brother of Captain Michael Jackson Ragsdale, during the Civil War in 1863. The millstones were quarried in France and brought into Savannah by blockade runners to bypass the U.S. Navy guarding the port, and then transported from the coast during wartime. The mill was designed to meet all the needs local farmers; millstones for grinding grain, threshing equipment to separate grain from the heads & stalks of straw, and a vertical saw under the millhouse for sawing logs into boards.

Picture: Grady Allen, fall 2005 Ragsdale Mill was built by the Reverend Francis Marian Ragsdale, brother of Captain Michael Jackson Ragsdale, during the Civil War in 1863. The millstones were quarried in France and brought into Savannah by blockade runners to bypass the U.S. Navy guarding the port, and then transported from the coast during wartime. The mill was designed to meet all the needs local farmers; millstones for grinding grain, threshing equipment to separate grain from the heads & stalks of straw, and a vertical saw under the millhouse for sawing logs into boards.

Pictures by: Grady Allen, fall 2005 - The overshot wheel in the photo is functional, the water delivery system was being rebuilt at the time the pictures were taken. The former support for the water flume was of a wooden trestle type, while the new supports plainly will be stone pillars.

Picture: Grady Allen, fall 2005 The overshot wheel in the photo is functional, the water delivery system was being rebuilt at the time the pictures were taken. The former support for the water flume was of a wooden trestle type, while the new supports plainly will be stone pillars.

Pictures by: Grady Allen, fall 2005 - The wooden drum located on the shaft coming from the cog that is engaged to the gearing on the inside of the waterwheel. The mill was purchased in 1967 by Dr. James & Nancy Cantrell. Mr. Cantrell was a Mathematics professor at the University of Georgia for 30 years. He did much to restore the mill, a house, barn, and outhouse that were on the 14 acres of land included with the purchase. The mill was restored and corn was ground into cornmeal. Dr. Cantrell also reroofed and restored an 1800's church that sat on a hill near the mill. The Methodist conference bought back the mill, and have since conducted an annual

Picture: Grady Allen, fall 2005 The wooden drum located on the shaft coming from the cog that is engaged to the gearing on the inside of the waterwheel. The mill was purchased in 1967 by Dr. James & Nancy Cantrell. Mr. Cantrell was a Mathematics professor at the University of Georgia for 30 years. He did much to restore the mill, a house, barn, and outhouse that were on the 14 acres of land included with the purchase. The mill was restored and corn was ground into cornmeal. Dr. Cantrell also reroofed and restored an 1800's church that sat on a hill near the mill. The Methodist conference bought back the mill, and have since conducted an annual "Homecoming" at the old Mt. Olivet Church.

Pictures by: Grady Allen, fall 2005 - The historic mill is in good condition, not operating, and not open to the general public. The Cantrells sold the mill a few years ago to some friends. Current visitor status is not known.

Picture: Grady Allen, fall 2005 The historic mill is in good condition, not operating, and not open to the general public. The Cantrells sold the mill a few years ago to some friends. Current visitor status is not known.

Pictures by: Hugh Allen 10/24/2006 - Photo of Ragsdale Mill with the new flume installed in 2006.

Picture: Hugh Allen 10/24/2006 Photo of Ragsdale Mill with the new flume installed in 2006.

Pictures by: Hugh Allen 10/24/2006 - Waterwheels eye view of the new supply flume.

Picture: Hugh Allen 10/24/2006 Waterwheels eye view of the new supply flume.

Pictures by: Hugh Allen 10/24/2006 - Scene looking from under the flume towards the wheel of Ragsdale Mill located near Homer, Georgia.

Picture: Hugh Allen 10/24/2006 Scene looking from under the flume towards the wheel of Ragsdale Mill located near Homer, Georgia.

Pictures by: Hugh Allen 10/24/2006 - Compare the first picture to this to see how the new flume changes the mills appearance. The mill is now owned by

Picture: Hugh Allen 10/24/2006 Compare the first picture to this to see how the new flume changes the mills appearance. The mill is now owned by "Doc" Sisk.

Directions: Go north from Homer, Georgia on US 441 for 1.4 miles, turn right on Sh 51 and procede for 2.6 miles to Mt. Peasant Church, then left on Sh 184/Damascus Road for 0.6 miles. Turn at a 45 degree angle onto Cr 103/Mt. Olivet Road and go 1.7 miles to Ragsdale Creek. The mill is on the right downstream, not visible. The first road past Ragsdale Creek leads back to the mill (might be a private drive).

"The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God."
Psalm 92:12 & 13 NKJV

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