Whether you’re stopping by while exploring the North Georgia mountains or staying with us at the campground, we look forward to sharing the history of this hidden gem with you in person. Skeenah is a special place, and welcoming others into its story is something we truly cherish.

The Willis Rabun Woody Mill (1848)

Woody was the original owner and builder of the mill. The water mill dam was built of hand-hewn logs. Corn was milled from 1848-1880. A wheat-rye mill was installed in 1880. Then all 3 were milled. Later, a sawmill was also added. 

Two sets of millstones are still in the mill. Two turbines ran the mill and one of them is said to be buried under the waterfall. 

In 1842, Willis donated land for the Sugar Hill School. This became a meeting house for church and school and baptisms were often performed in Skeenah Creek near the mill. 

Before the Civil War, pre-1861, the log dam rotted and was rebuilt with stone by slaves. Some beautiful stonework remains in a retaining wall adjacent to the mill. 

During the Civil War, those that evaded service hid out in the mountains during the day and raided and harassed local families at night. The Woody family suffered theft and loss at this time as well. 

The Woody's sold the mill and 200 acres of land to J.A. Vandiver in 1916. 

J.A Vandiver Mill (1916)

In 1932 Vandiver changed the mill from turbines to an overshot waterwheel. D.A. Vandiver, son of J.A. ran the mill for about 25 years but died falling from the 12 foot dam. 

1969 Flodd

In 1969 a flood destroyed the rock dam Mr. Woody's slaves had built. 

James Morgan (1975)

James Morgan bought the land in 1975 and replaced the stone dam with a concrete retainer. He repaired the millrace and overshot wheel. A clubhouse (since removed) was added to the millhouse and the current campground was built. 

The current waterwheel carried between 2000-2500 FT pounds of torque. The dam creates a 12 foot waterfall. 

It has operated under several different ownerships since the Morgans. 

Current Day Owners love the mill and its history and are preserving the mill and artifacts that remain. They have made the waterwheel operational again and they continue to shore up the millhouse.