What Is the Old Mill at Pigeon Forge?
This was the first grist mill in Sevier County and site of the forge that gave Pigeon Forge its name!
What Makes It Historical?
In 1807, Sevier County Coroner and Justice of the Peace, Mordecai Lewis, settled on a 151-acre land grant, which he bequeathed to his son-in-law, Issac Love, ten years later! Mr. Love built an iron forge on the west branch, and his sons built a grist mill—this grist mill—to grind corn in 1830! They used special rot-resistant wood in their construction, which has helped the mill stay in such good shape! Issac’s son, William Love, served as first postmaster and named the budding town for his father’s forge and the flocks of migrating passenger pigeons that once roosted in these trees!
Over the years, this still-functioning mill has had a lot of identities, from saw mill in 1859 to secret textile mill for the Union during the Civil War, to a multigrain roller mill in 1889, to an electrical generator in 1921! It was damaged twice by floods in 1875 and 1920, but held onto its original grinding stones until 1977! Today, the Old Mill is the centerpiece of a whole tourist space, featuring a pottery studio, distillery, and Cornflour Restaurant!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Buy something from the Old Mill Shop!
- Donate to the Sevier County Heritage Museum!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
175 Old Mill Avenue
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
The general store inside the original mill is open daily from 8:00 AM until 9:00 PM!