Praters Mill

PRATER’S MILL, A PIECE OF HISTORY!
Although it was a cool, rainy and muddy day, I still loved touring Prater’s Mill which is located on the banks of the Coahulla Creek. It was built in 1855 and remained a working mill until the 1960’s. In 1971 the Prater Mill Foundation began its restoration and preservation efforts and I am so glad they did because this is a wonderful learning opportunity for the entire family. I really appreciate history and the efforts taken toward preservation.
During your tour, you can get up close and personal with the demo staff as they are milling the grits, corn meal and corn flour. I loved the texture of the gluten free corn flour, (light and smooth), and purchased a bag to make cornbread in my cast iron skillet, (keeping it authentic!). The mill has several pieces of antique equipment on display along with descriptions of the parts and how they were used during production.
Prater’s Mill was used during the Civil War by Union and Confederate officers, (at different times of course), as a camp site. The mill is only opened during the annual Prater’s Mill Country Fair so if you want a tour, you should plan to attend this festival. During the festival, there is so much to see and do and it is definitely worth attending. The weather was not very favorable during our visit today but I just became obsessed with watching the swollen creek and the rolling water. When you view the creek from the inside of the mill, (through the wooden windows), the view is just perfect, very picturesque. It has flooded twice (1972 and 1994), and the water markers can be seen on the front of the building to the right of the door.
If you plan to visit during rainy weather, rain boots are ideal to keep your feet dry and to help you negotiate the mud and high grass. If you are taking kids, I would recommend a jogger and not a traditional stroller because of the rough terrain, (gravel, thick grass).
This is a fascinating piece of history, please don’t miss an opportunity to share it with your entire family because they will certainly have a great time.

I love the Fall here in Tenn/​N Georgia. The leaves actually change colors and it really feels like Fall. With Fall comes Fall Festivals. One of the best in the area is Praters Mill. Tractors and apples and lots of home grown goodies. Fried pickles and crafts. It’s a great community festival that everyone needs to go out and enjoy!

This is my favorite Fall Festival. They have great food and drinks here. The entertainment is enjoyable too. The people that work here and the vendors are friendly
The food that can be found here are in my tip for this review. But some of my favorites are the fried pickles and fried corn on the cob. If you get the fried corn be sure to have access to butter and salt to taste. I just like to add some of each to mine as they both seem to never be enough as you are eating it.
They have a tractor show here too.

Saturday, Feb 22^nd, Tony and I went for a drive in Georgia and we came across this lovely old mill in Varnell, Georgia. The care taker was there and told us a little about the history of the mill.
HISTORY OF THE MILL:
Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Prater’s Mill’s heritage runs back to the days of the Cherokee Indians. Built by Benjamin Franklin Prater in 1855, the water powered mill was originally fitted with the latest in grain cleaning, grinding and sifting machinery, all powered by the Coahulla Creek.
As the mill’s popularity grew, Prater added a cotton gin, a saw mill, a wool carder (device that combs sheep wool), a syrup mill, a general store and blacksmiths shop. For almost a century, farmers lined up their mules and wagons before dawn, waiting for their turn with the millers.
During the Civil War, the mill was used as a campsite by soldiers from both sides. While occupied by the Union army, the mill was considered a valuable resource for food and was not destroyed. The Prater family operated the Mill until the 1950’s. A succession of millers ran it until the 1960’s. In 1971, the all-​volunteer Prater’s Mill Foundation took over the Mill and began its extensive restoration and preservation efforts. Today, the mill is best known for the arts and crafts festivals held twice each year. Throughout the year, the grounds are a popular site for fishing, cookouts and family reunions.
Touring:
A living musem for all occasions. What do a historic working mill, the Civil War, Cherokee Indians and dazzling wildlife and plants have in common? You or your group can discover, explore and experience them all at Historic Praters Mill Heritage Park. Visitors will see a working 19^th century grist mill, a cotton gin, general store, and soon to be added to the tour a train caboose and old barn. We promise to engage your imagination.
Directions:
Prater’s Mill is located at 5845 Georgia Highway 2, Dalton, GA 30 721 on GA Hwy. 2, 10 miles Northeast of Dalton and about 30 miles south of Chattanooga, TN. Exit I-​75 at Hwy. 201 (Tunnel Hill — Varnell Exit-​341). Travel North 4.5 miles to GA Hwy. 2, turn right on GA Hwy. 2 (right at the Dollar General) and continue 2.6 miles to Prater’s Mill.