Mingus Mill
cherokee, North Carolina
Background
Built in 1886 in the Oconaluftee River Valley of Western North Carolina, Mingus Mill is the most technologically advanced of the four surviving grist mills in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Operated by the Mingus-Floyd family for over 40 years, the turbine-driven mill for corn and wheat served both commercial and community needs before its acquisition by the National Park Service in the 1930s. The mill reopened in 1969 under the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association, grinding corn for local farmers and selling cornmeal to tourists, and has continued to function as an interpreted working mill for educational purposes.
Project Summary
JKOA prepared a Historic Structure Report to document the construction, alterations, and current condition of Mingus Mill, including the mill race, flume, penstock, and 3-story building. Work included physical investigation, civil survey, measured drawings and photodocumentation, and archival research of documents, plans, and photographs. A structural engineer assessed all components of the mill complex to determine conditions and guide repairs. The resulting report provides a prioritized plan for preservation and advocates for a reassessment of the mill’s historic significance and integrity based on its original design and materials.