Fayette County Georgia was once a bustling agricultural community, and the planters that grew corn and other grains required the services of a miller to prepare their crops for consumption.
The historic Marker at Starr's Mill reads: "The property that became Starr's Mill was owned by Hananiah Gilcoat who built the first mill here before his death in 1825. This site, on Whitewater Creek, was less than a mile from the boundary between Creek Indian lands and the State of Georgia. Hilliard Starr, who owned the mill from 1866 until 1879, gave the site its current name. After the first two log structures burned, William T. Glower built the current building in 1907. The mill operated until 1959, using a water powered turbine, instead of a wheel, to grind corn and operate a sawmill. The Starr's Mill site also included a cotton gin and a dynamo that produced electricity for nearby Senoia."
As time moved on, these industries ceased to be economically viable, and one by one, the mills began to disappear. Starr's Mill survived as a pay fishing lake, and became a popular spot for anglers and picnickers. Fayette County officials, realizing the significance of this treasure, purchase the property and created a county park for it's citizens. It is run under the auspices of the Fayette County Water Department. If you are in the Atlanta area, and would like to visit Starr's Mill, just take I-75 South to Georgia 85 ( NOT Interstate 85) South, through Riverdale and then Fayetteville and the Mill is about 5 miles past the courthouse square on the right. It is plainly visible from the road so you can't miss it.
Plan on spending all day. It's a nice place for fishing, wading, picnicking, walking and of course, taking photographs!Fayette County also boasts Georgia's oldest courthouse, and a popular park at Lake Horton, but those are subjects for future musings!
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Richard Weisser, Broker, Associate Broker, Auctioneer, E-Pro, CE Instructor |
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