All About the Old Mill

The Old Mill – North Little Rock, Arkansas - Atlas Obscura

The Old Mill is popular because of the the movie’s, “Gone with the Wind” opening scene in 1939. This 3-acre site, known publicly as the T.R. Pugh Memorial Park and Pugh’s Mill, is commonly recognized as the Old Mill. This mill, with water wheel that was constructed with concrete and treated so that it will look like a wood is bounded by a road that resembles an old wagon road as well as rustic footbridge that was made of black locust tree limbs.

This park is open for the public and this is a perfect setting for a picnic lunch or for photographers. The park is a very soothing site with various flowers that blooms for 12 months all over the year. Some sculpted concrete work such as faux bois, including various benches, bridges, baskets, and more were carved to look like a real wood.

What to Know

An authentic old water-powered grist mill that appears in a 1939 film’s opening scene is alleged to be the only structure that remains from the film. Constructed in 1933 and designed to appear old so that it would look like it was constructed during 1800s.

This park was ornated with sculptures of tree stumps, toadstools, and a tree branch with an intertwined bridge that links the mill to the park.  It was the artist and sculptor from Mexico City, Senor Dionico Rodriguez, who was responsible for the details of every piece of its concrete work that was made to represent iron, stone, or wood. Also, he was the one who designed the rustic seats and food bridges. Today, the Old Mill belongs to the National Register of Historic Places.

Park Schedule

You can book for tour guides in advance to have a more relaxing way of enjoying the park. More so, the park is open daily with the following schedule:

Sunday              8:00am – 8:00pm

Monday             8:00am – 8:00pm

Tuesday            8:00am – 8:00pm

Wednesday       8:00am – 8:00pm

Thursday           8:00am – 8:00pm

Friday                8:00am – 8:00pm

Saturday            8:00am – 8:00pm

Have you tried Wandering Through Burns Park?

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