Prater's Mill

In 1855 Benjamin Franklin Prater built a grist mill and dam on the banks of Coahulla Creek in Whitfield County. In 1863, Prater enlisted in the Red Hill Home Guards of the Georgia Militia. Both Union and Confederate forces camped at the mill in the winter and spring of 1854. After the war Prater reeeturned to grinding meal. By the time he died in 1896 he had expanded the business adding a saw mill, cotton gin, wool carder, syrup mill, general store and blacksmith shop. Members of the Prater Family operated the mill into the 1960's. In 1971, the Prater's Mill Foundation was formed to undertake restoration and preservation of the mill.. In 1995, arsonists damaged the mill by starting a fire on the north side of the building. Today, the Foundation holds The Country Fair the 2nd weekend in October celebrating Appalachian Life to raise money for the preservation of the mill property.
Andy Sarge