Restored in 1976 for the nation's Bi-Centennial, Stan McDonald originally had the small mill set up to run from its original power source, water, on a small creek behind his house, but state and federal regulations required him to move it up the hill and convert it to electric power. He constructed a mill pond and a water wheel, but McDonald says things have changed.
"In 1976 there wasn't much restriction on hampering water flow through a stream or river," McDonald said. "Since then the state, federal and even county regulations came into play and they don't want you doing anything near a stream. Another aspect is, if the stream flows through a farm, you cannot deprive that farmer of water for his cattle."
McDonald said the water power would have restricted steam flow periodically, so it was back to the drawing board. McDonald knows about drawing boards and mechanical design, so converting the mill to electric power was not that big a challenge.
"My main occupation was in electronics and for myself it was fairly easy," according to McDonald." I built it piece by piece, and the average person would have to buy it pre-built. The water power source was a much slower thing. The water wheel only runs 10 rpm and the machine runs at 700 rpm so you had to step it up with the gears and belts. With electricity it's the opposite, with the power source running at 1750 rpm, I have to use the gears, belts and pulleys to step it down to 700 and it gets the job done."
The conversion took place in the mid-80's, but whether powered by water or electricity, the mill functions the same way. McDonald said if he could get a reliable corn or wheat supply, the mill would be ready to go. It's a smaller version, but the mill is very typical of the 19th and early 20th century grist mills that populated North Georgia and became the reason for settlement and communities on the region's rivers and streams.
"I've heard there are no longer any grist mills in Hall County, but I know of at least two, and I have one of them," McDonald said. "The grain is hard to get because of the Ethanol situation and for feeding chickens and livestock. It's kind of rare to see any grain on the market."
Grist mills are a family tradition for McDonald. His father was a millwright, a specialist who maintained the mills and kept them running. In fact McDonald was born in a mill house below Columbus on the Chattahoochee River according to his autobiography which he has published on line.
"I was born in the miller's house at an old mill place near Omaha, Georgia in April 1940. I think the old place is now part of the Fort Benning Army base," he writes.
McDonald says grist mills are in his blood and in his family.
"The family name as far back as you can trace it has been involved with this kind of operation," McDonald added, and he wants to keep his grist mill heritage and pass it on to his seven grandchildren. "I hope so; I think they're beginning to show an interest in it."
McDonald's pride and joy is a 104 year old restored old grist mill that sits in a wood building in his front yard.
Whether powered by water or electricity, the mill functions the same way.
Grist mills are a family tradition for McDonald. His father was a millwright, a specialist who maintained the mills and kept them running.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/1/256986