Washington County GaArchives News.....Fire Destroys Jordan's Mill September 7 1927
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Mary Esther Smith messtogo55@alltel.net January 29, 2005, 3:50 am

Sandersville Progress
 Established for one hundred fifty years. Famous for fine quality of meal 
produced and had a wide patronage in this section.
 News spread rapidly in Sandersville last Friday morning that Jordan's Grist 
Mill, nine miles northeast of this city, had been destroyed by fire. It was 
probably the oldest grist mill in this section of Georgia. Just what year the 
water on Williamson Swamp creek first began to furnish the power for the 
operation of the mill can not be determined. Mr. Geo. T. Gilmore, who lives in 
the former Jordan home, not far from the mill, stated that he was attracted by 
a red glare about nine o'clock Thursday night, and at first thought that his 
barn was on fire. A second look disclosed the fact that the mill was on fire 
and burning furiously. Before he had time to reach the scene it was a mass of 
flames, the heat of which was so intense it was impossible to approach near the 
building.
 Mr. Gilmore stated that so far as the history of the mill could be traced that 
it was established about one hundred and fifty years ago and had been in 
operation ever since. Frequently the dam had given away under the heavy 
pressure of water during flood seasons, but was always promptly rebuilt. Within 
recent years a substantial concrete dam was built, and it is thought that this 
will never have to be renewed. The mill building was constructed of the very 
best lumber that could be obtained at the time it was erected, which was before 
the days of the circular saw, lumber at that time having been sawed by upright 
saws, either operated like a cross-cut saw, or placed vertically and operated 
by water power. There are several dwellings of ante-bullum times in this county 
which were built of lumber obtained in this manner. Some of our oldest citizens 
can remember when there were no circular saws in operation. On account of the 
age of the lumber it was thoroughly dry and burned with astonishing rapidity.
 The mill was once known as Hines Mill, having been owned by the father of 
Judge Jas. K. Hines of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Mrs. was a sister of Judge 
Hines and in the distribution of the Hines property it became the property of 
Mrs. Jordan, and has for many years been known as Jordan's Mill.
 This old mill had a fine reputation all over this section of Georgia for the 
excellence of the meal which was ground there, and many of the farmers and 
merchants were dependant upon it for supplies of fresh meal, which kept it busy 
at all times. Occasionally the water would become too low during long droughs 
and the mill would have to cease operations until a rainy season should swell 
the creek which supplies the pond; but such occurrences have been rare.
 The mill has been a favorite place for picnics for generations, and the pond 
has been a popular place for fishing. Some very large trout or black bass, have 
been caught there, the largest we have ever seen weighing twelve pounds, which 
is about as big as they ever grow.
 The orgin of the fire could not be ascertained. The mill had been in operation 
Thursday and was closed down for the night at the usual hour late in the 
afternoon. About three hours later the fire was discovered, and the flames were 
then all over the building. The glare of the fire was seen by several of our 
citizens, but no one knew that this historic mill was being devoured by the 
flames until they heard the details Friday morning.
 The mill will be rebuilt just as soon as possible, and it is said that it will 
again be ready to grind corn within thirty days. The best mill rocks obtainable 
will be bought, as the old rocks, which had been in use for many years, were 
ruined by the heat of the destructive fire. The mill was insured for $1,500.00, 
which will only partially cover the loss.
 There are three other water mills in Washington county, Tarver's mill in the 
southeastern section, not far from Bartow, Hamburg mill on the little Ogeechee 
river, eighteen miles northwest from Sandersville, and the Deepstep mill at 
Deepstep, which has for many years been operated by Mr. L.A. Gladdin. Sometimes 
the creek at Deepstep gets too low to afford power, when an angine is 
substituted. All of these mills turn out excellent meal.
 The mill will be replaced by a modern stone structure, which will be speedily 
put in operation.

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