The history behind The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge dates back 200 years. The popular tourist attraction is know as the "most photographed mill in the country". It began with the Iron Forge. The Iron Forge was established by a man named Isaac Love. Love inherited the space from his Father-in-Law, who owned 151 acres of land in the area--what we now know as Pigeon Forge.
During that time, the iron was smelted, hammered and cast into farming utensils, building equipment and more. "The remains of the Iron Forge, as far as we know, were dismantled as sold off for parts around the 1880s" Said Jimmy Proffitt, Old Mill Historian.
Isaac Love and his son, William, built the Old Mill in 1830. Since then, it has been a post office, hospital, electric company and more. "What you see here today, is pretty similar to what you would have seen in 1830 when the mill itself was built," added Proffitt.
The current owners are the seventh to own the Old Mill. Today it is a working museum and restaurant but keeping true to the heritage. They grind more than 600,000 pounds of grain a year. Each is hand-bagged, weighed and hand-tied. The stones are still water-powered. "It really is exciting to be able to preserve this and still operate it as such," said Proffitt. "We're not just a museum--we're still operating every single day."
The district has grown up around it as well, selling pottery, ice cream, candy, jams and jellies and now distilled spirits.
Pigeon Forge honors the old Mill District each year with the Heritage Day Festival. This year they'll celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Iron Forge. That event will be on September 23rd, and admission is free.
Get a taste of true Southern Hospitality at The Old Mill Restaurant. We're known for our old-fashioned, classic Southern food; and we've gained a reputation as one of the best restaurants in the Smokies. We're a favorite local spot and attraction for a day trip to Pigeon Forge.
Dine in our double-tiered, wood paneled dining room that overlooks the Pigeon River. Located adjacent to the Old Mill, it offers views of the great water wheel that powers the mill; as the massive stones grind grains in the mill you can watch the wheel turn just below the dam. And you'll enjoy some of the stone-ground grits, breads, biscuits, pancakes, and muffins that are made from ingredients ground right next door.
Start your day with a hearty Southern breakfast; fluffy warm biscuits and muffins, cooked-to-order eggs, pancakes, grits and pepper gravy, sausage, bacon and more. For lunch or dinner, you'll never forget our country-fried steak, sugar-cured ham, pot roast and gravy, chicken and dumplings, chicken potpie, and much more. All entrees come with Signature Corn Chowder, fresh salad, fresh vegetables and sides served family-style, and homemade desserts. Some of our "secret" recipes can be duplicated at home; stop by the General Store or the Farmhouse Kitchen to find mixes for our gravy, pancakes, muffins, biscuits, chowder and much more! Our famous pecan pies are baked from scratch daily at The Old Mill Restaurant, and they are available year round to take home.
