September 8, 2021
This morning we drove about an hour down to Huntsville, Arkansas, population 2,346. The town is built around a charming town square and is located in Madison County and south east of Bentonville.
We walked around and took some pix and then decided to head on back toward home and see if we could find War Eagle Mill and Bridge on Beaver Lake. The drive, as always, was simply gorgeous! We just can't get enough farms, fields, forests and old buildings, crumbling in the baking sun!
War Eagle Mill was built in 1832 by a very young couple, Sylvanus and Cathrine Blackburn who moved from Tennessee looking for the perfect place to settle down and raise a family. The home they built from the surrounding forest still stands today on the hill across the creek and is the only operating grist mill in the state.
The mill and surrounding area has an interesting role in the Civil War. Both sides occupied and used the mill and it was finally burned to the ground by the Confederate soldiers due to the instability of their position in the area. The family fled to Texas for 4 years returning to rebuild an even better version of the mill.
The Mill has two floors of gifts, organic and locally made foods as well as pictures and exhibits. It is delightful to walk around and learn about the history of the mill and watch it working as you do! The third floor is a restaurant and although it was not meal time for us - it looked and smelled delicious. Most of the items found in the store can be found online at www.wareaglemill.com.
The annual Fall Arts and Crafts Show attended by thousands over a 4 day period sounds like it would be really fun but I think we will wait till next year, when hopefully, the Covid is in our rear view mirror.
We had a great day and since the Mill is located about 30 minutes from home I know we will be visiting often!
Gabi
