with an open fourth-story attic. In the early 1900s, the mill supplied
the area with electricity, making Readyville one of the first rural
villages in Tennessee to possess electric lights. Other products
included ice, corn meal, refined flour, whole wheat flour, buckwheat
flour, and lumber. The mill was in continous operation until the early
1980s. Since that time it has been abandoned and neglected. In 1992 and 1993 PARQ volunteers of all ages winterized and cleaned the Readyville Mill.
The mill site consists of 3.9 acres on the East Fork of the Stones
River. The mill is 1.5 miles from scenic Highway 70S 12 miles east of Murfreesboro.
Thanks to community efforts, the Center of Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University has prepared and donated a preservation plan for the mill. Acting on the advice of Dr. Huhta, PARQ contacted Mike Gavin, a professional historic preservationist. Mr. Gavin believes that the Readyville Mill is "in peril" due to its deteriorating foundation. The possibility of the loss of another historic treasure like the collapse of Brown's Mill is all too real. This area is fortunate to have a resource which reminds us of our heritage and shows great potential to become a vital part of the community in the future--hopefully it can be saved.
For more information, call 563-2760 or |
