Akers Mill
Encyclopedia
Akers Mill, was a complex of at least two 19th century mills along Rottenwood Creek in Cobb County, Georgia
, United States. The gristmill
built into the bank overlooking the creek, with six terraces each acting as an individual floor in the mill operation. The mills developed shortly before the Civil War, were sold to the Akers family in 1873 and in turn were utilized for the production of flour
and meal for their Atlanta area grocery stores. The Akers Brothers cut out and graded new roads to the mill and also farmed the nearby land. Additionally, they employed about 60 people and constructed housing in a small village south of the mills.
. Additionally, they were able to provide a finer grade of flour for consumption. The flour mill was capable of producing 200 barrels (195 pounds each) of flour daily, while the corn mill could produce 1,500 bushels of cornmeal
in the same period. The flour mill was powered by a 36-inch turbine, supplemented by an 80-horsepower engine in the event water was scarce. Also, the 1880 Census records indicate the first mill's turbine was under a 23 foot head and the second mill's was below a 26 foot head.
, as part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
. In early 1990s, an archeological survey investigation was done on the area as part of the Kennedy Parkway Project. The intact terraces and deposits allowed the archeological study to address the internal technological structure of the mill, a historical dimension rarely recovered archeologically since technological equipment was normally removed from mill buildings prior to their demolition or collapse. A limited recovery was done on an area of the site that could not be saved, however it seemed part of a domestic occupation, rather than the primary industrial use. Currently, the terraces and the old flagstone
foundations remain standing near the Rottenwood Creek Multi-Use Trail on the waterway. The modern suburban edge-city of Cumberland
has developed nearby and Akers Mill Road remains its namesake but now intersects with Cumberland Boulevard on the hill above to the northwest.
Cobb County, Georgia
Cobb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Its county seat and largest city is Marietta, which is located in the center of the county. The county was named for Thomas Willis Cobb, who in the early 19th century was a United States representative and senator from Georgia...
, United States. The gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
built into the bank overlooking the creek, with six terraces each acting as an individual floor in the mill operation. The mills developed shortly before the Civil War, were sold to the Akers family in 1873 and in turn were utilized for the production of flour
Flour
Flour is a powder which is made by grinding cereal grains, other seeds or roots . It is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many cultures, making the availability of adequate supplies of flour a major economic and political issue at various times throughout history...
and meal for their Atlanta area grocery stores. The Akers Brothers cut out and graded new roads to the mill and also farmed the nearby land. Additionally, they employed about 60 people and constructed housing in a small village south of the mills.
Production
The gristmill's location on the banks of the creek allowed it to take advantage of its natural water power. Rottenwood Creek's flow reached 720 cfm (Cubic Feet per Minute) during that time. On March 25, 1880, an article in the Marietta Journal reported, Akers Mill had installed a new process of milling that increased from 39 to 43 pounds the amount of flour extracted from a bushel of wheatWheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
. Additionally, they were able to provide a finer grade of flour for consumption. The flour mill was capable of producing 200 barrels (195 pounds each) of flour daily, while the corn mill could produce 1,500 bushels of cornmeal
Cornmeal
Cornmeal is flour ground from dried maize or American corn. It is a common staple food, and is ground to fine, medium, and coarse consistencies. In the United States, the finely ground cornmeal is also referred to as cornflour. However, the word cornflour denotes cornstarch in recipes from the...
in the same period. The flour mill was powered by a 36-inch turbine, supplemented by an 80-horsepower engine in the event water was scarce. Also, the 1880 Census records indicate the first mill's turbine was under a 23 foot head and the second mill's was below a 26 foot head.
Present
Akers Mill underwent bankruptcy in 1879. The mill closed in 1889 with "liabilities of $100,000 and assets about the same". As the Atlanta area grew, the forgotten gristmill became derelict and on August 15, 1978, its remnants were protected by the National Park ServiceNational Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
, as part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area preserves a series of sites between Atlanta in the United States and Lake Sidney Lanier along the Chattahoochee River. The 48-mile stretch of the river affords public recreation opportunities and access to historic spots...
. In early 1990s, an archeological survey investigation was done on the area as part of the Kennedy Parkway Project. The intact terraces and deposits allowed the archeological study to address the internal technological structure of the mill, a historical dimension rarely recovered archeologically since technological equipment was normally removed from mill buildings prior to their demolition or collapse. A limited recovery was done on an area of the site that could not be saved, however it seemed part of a domestic occupation, rather than the primary industrial use. Currently, the terraces and the old flagstone
Flagstone
Flagstone, is a generic flat stone, usually used for paving slabs or walkways, patios, fences and roofing. It may be used for memorials, headstones, facades and other constructions. The name derives from Middle English flagge meaning turf, perhaps from Old Norse flaga meaning slab.Flagstone is a...
foundations remain standing near the Rottenwood Creek Multi-Use Trail on the waterway. The modern suburban edge-city of Cumberland
Cumberland (Atlanta)
Cumberland is a neighborhood and edge city in metro Atlanta, Georgia, United States. with approximately 122,000 workers and 103,000 residents. It is a major hub for business, convention, and retail in the region. Cumberland is situated ten miles northwest of downtown Atlanta at the junction of...
has developed nearby and Akers Mill Road remains its namesake but now intersects with Cumberland Boulevard on the hill above to the northwest.