Picture of the day - March 16, 2005

Wilkinson's Mill

Today's picture of Wilkinson's Mill (near Chilhowie, VA) brings back lots of childhood memories. My dad was an avid fisherman, and many times throughout his life he sat on the banks of the small pond created by the dam at Wilkinson's Mill, fishing pole in hand, just waiting for the big one to bite. This old country mill provided flour, corn meal and cattle feed for many years to the people of Smyth County, Va and the surrounding areas. Today, the view from the bank is just as I remember it from some 35 years ago. My dad has gone on to be with the Lord, but I can still vividly picture him sitting there with a big smile on his face as he pulls out a bass or crappie. It didn't matter how large or small the fish - he loved every catch! Like historic White's Mill in nearby Abingdon, Virginia, Wilkinson's Mill is a bona fide piece of southwestern Virginia history. These mills and all the others like them were usually among the primary meeting places for family and friends in years past. There were no supermarkets or Super Wal-Mart's where you could just pop in and pick up a loaf of bread. Instead, you went to the mill and bought flour and corn meal, often fresh off the grinding wheel! What could possibly be better than that?   Picture Of The Day Homepage Interesting Articles