History of millstones

I hope that you will get the chance to tour a working grist mill. There are a few still operating in Georgia. There is something soothing about the old paddlewheel spinning in the creek or river and driving the big stone wheels that grind the grains and corn. Nowadays though the paddle wheels are just decorative because electric motors are driving the wheels.

Millstones have been around since the beginning of mankind and are even referenced in the Bible. When this country was a mainly agrarian society, every town had a mill. The mills were very dependent on the height and flow of the rivers.

Two huge hand carved round stones were used with the bottom bedstone stationary while the top runner stone spun at fairly high speeds grinding the grains between the stones which were adjusted to make course or finely ground grains and corn. The top stone had carved ridges to help move the grain to the outside as it was ground. When these stones got worn they could be replaced or the grooves recarved which is called “dressing” the stone.

Floods or fires often destroyed the old mills or they became obsolete when roller mills and electricity changed the industry. Millstones came in all sizes and are very collectible because people love to use them in their landscaping or gardens. I sure would hate to try and move one of those millstones but there are companies out there that actually specialize in locating, selling and moving these monsters.

As you can imagine, running a vintage mill must be a lost art. Where would a person go to learn how to do this? Did you also know this is where the last name Miller originated from? Surnames such as Cooper and Potter also came from the person’s occupation becoming their last name. Joe the Miller became Joe Miller and so on.

There are many more moving parts involved in the process of milling which we don’t have space in the column to address but you can find those big wooden gears in antique stores and as architectural décor as well. Maybe you need to take a road trip to the Nora Mill in North Georgia and get a big bag of grits for some pancake mix! Happy Collecting!

Jillinda Falen has been buying and selling antiques for over 31 years and is a licensed REALTOR and estate liquidation specialist. You can contact her through the Houston Home Journal or via email at jcfalen@gmail.com