Prater's Mill, Historic mill and heritage site in Dalton, United States
Prater's Mill is a water-powered mill along Coahulla Creek that houses original grain-processing machinery including cleaning equipment, grinding mechanisms, and sifting devices from the 1800s. The restored structure lets visitors see how this machinery worked together to process grain and other materials.
Benjamin Franklin Prater built this mill complex in 1855 along a reliable creek for its power source. During the Civil War, the site became strategically important and was occupied by soldiers from both armies.
The grounds draw visitors who come to experience traditional music and local food traditions in action. People gather to watch craftspeople at work and participate in events that reflect how rural communities lived and worked together.
The grounds are easy to walk around, and visitors can move freely between the old buildings and machines. On days when special events happen, there is more activity and more people, so it helps to plan ahead.
The complex was much more than just a grain mill, with a cotton gin, saw mill, wool carding machine, and syrup mill all operating on the same grounds. Visitors can see how a whole rural community depended on these different craft operations working together in one place.
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