Falls Mill

Good morning to you all. After a beautiful weekend in the neighborhood it appears Mother Nature has decided to once again throw us a curve ball and add a little cold temps and rain into the equation.

A few weeks ago, with perfect fall weather and the colors still in “full bloom”, I decided to take a road trip to Belvidere, TN. I was headed to one of my favorite places to visit with my friends Jane and John Lovett who own and operate the historic Falls Mill. Just 35 miles north of Huntsville, the grist mill was originally built in 1873 and over the years used as a cotton and woolen factory and then converted to a cotton gin. The grist mill currently operates as a working museum and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

John and Jane have owned the mill since 1984. Through their efforts the mill has been renovated and currently used as an educational museum known as the Museum of Power and Industry at Falls Mill. Numerous items at the mill museum include antique mill machinery, historic era photos, hand and power looms and spinning wheels. The signature item at the water-powered mill is the 32-foot waterwheel that is operational and still powers the machinery throughout the building. The view downstream looking back at the mill is breathtaking with the waterfall to the left and the water flume that powers the wheel to the right.

Generally, I am on travel during this time of year and miss going to the Mill during the fall colors. Making the trip up, I was surely not disappointed although John did mention that the fall colors had peaked a few days prior to my visit. One of the other more spectacular views at the Mill is the upper falls that borders the property. When the water is rushing it is an amazing view but I would venture to say as long as there is water running, it is truly majestic.

As I headed home it was close to sunset and I was hoping to find a place to capture the sunset. As I turned the bind on John Hunter Hwy, I can across a corn field being mowed down by combine harvester. Looking at the giant beast as the sun set, stirring up a field full of dust from the dried corn stalks, it was as if I were staring at an alien ship landing. I keep by distance as the combine would make it’s wide turn waving to the farmer just to let him know I was a friendly on-looker and had come in peace!!