Mingus Mill, a half mile north of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, was built in 1886 and still stands on its original site, driven by a water turbine rather than a wheel. Its builder, millwright Sion Thomas Early, sawed his initials into the front gable. The wheat millstones came from France by way of Charleston. The mill's interior has been closed for preservation and rehabilitation work, and posted signs show how close visitors can get. A path of about 100 yards leads from the lot to the mill, and accessible restrooms stand beside the parking area. A 150-foot trail from the back of the parking lot leads to Enloe Cemetery, believed to hold the unmarked graves of at least six people enslaved by the Mingus family.
Slow down for Mingus Mill. The access road is just ahead on your left. Park at the end and stay a minute, and Boone has a tale for anyone who stops. If you shut the car off, tap play before you walk away, and stay close till he starts. Back at the highway, turn left, toward Gatlinburg. Walk across the bridge as far as the signs allow, and look up at the front gable. The letters S, T and E are sawn into it, for millwright Sion Thomas Early. The inside has been closed for preservation work, so check the signs. From the back of the lot, a short trail leads to Enloe Cemetery. At least half a dozen Black people enslaved by the Mingus family are believed to rest there, under unmarked stones. Visitors leave coins on them.
Photo: P. Hughes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0