OLD MILL GRINDS OUT TASTY SOUTHERN TREATS

In 1830 a water-powered gristmill on the banks of the Little Pigeon River was the hub of activity in the tiny mountain community of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Not only did the mill produce meals and flours for the early Smoky Mountain settlers, it later provided the town with electricity until 1935.

Both the town and the mill have gone through some changes over the years. Today Pigeon Forge is a major tourism destination that welcomes more than 11 million visitors each year. The Old Mill is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and its massive granite stones are still in action. Six days a week the grinding stones convert grain into approximately 1000 pounds of product each day. These meals and flours are packaged and sold at the Old Mill General Store and online.

Visitors to Pigeon Forge can enjoy taste-tempting recipes made from the mill’s products at the Old Mill Restaurant and the Pottery House Café & Restaurant. The Old Mill Restaurant is famous for its Southern dishes including biscuits, cornbread, hushpuppies and corn fritters. The Pottery House Café & Restaurant menu includes sandwiches served on homemade breads, as well as pastries and desserts. In addition to satisfying hungry appetites, the Old Mill property offers visitors a taste of history with tours of the mill in operation.

Today, the Old Mill and surrounding area continues to flourish. In addition to the general store and two restaurants, Pigeon Forge visitors also can enjoy homemade candy and ice cream while browsing through shops at Old Mill Square.

The historic Old Mill is just one reason why Pigeon Forge is such a popular destination. To learn more about this Smoky Mountain vacation spot call 1-866-293-4879 or visit www.mypigeonforge.com . Old Mill information and products are available at www.old-mill.com . Here’s a recipe used to create the Old Mill’s signature corn fritters!

Old Mill Corn Fritters

1/2-cup bread flour
1/2-cup self-rising flour
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/4 cup frozen cream style corn
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
1/2-teaspoon baking powder

Mix milk, egg, butter, and corn. Stir in dry ingredients and mix well. Drop by spoon-full into hot oil, (350 degrees). Fry until golden brown. Recipe makes approximately 12 fritters.