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Abstract

The Jeffrey L. Brown Institute of Archaeology, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, conducted historical and archaeological documentation of the Wilson Mill Dam on the Ocoee River near Benton, Polk County, Tennessee, in July, 1983. Performed under a contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the research involved 1) the development of a site-specific history of the mill and dam, based on primary and secondary documentation, 2) field documentation of the extant remains of the timber and stone crib-type dam and associated mill house remains, and 3) preparation of a synopsis of the development of milling in Polk County. The mill seat was utilized from 1847 to c. 1940 for grist and flour milling, as well as lesser operations. The mill was powered by an undershot wheel, breast wheel and from the 1870s on, by turbine. Archaeological remains of the mill dam and associated features were photographed, mapped and described in field notes; no significant excavations were undertaken and no artifacts were collected. The principal remains documented were 1) an early debris-type dam, 2) a stone-filled timber crib dam, 3) penstock (turbine housing) remains, 4) mill house piers, and 5) possible early waterwheel underpinnings.

Department

Dept. of Social, Cultural, and Justice Studies

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Date

7-1983

Subject

Tennessee -- Antiquities; Wilson Mill Dam (Benton, Tenn.) -- History

Location

Wilson Mill Dam (Benton, Tenn.)

Document Type

reports

Extent

iv, 31 leaves

Language

English

Call Number

TC557.T4 C688 1983

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Historical and archaeological documentation of the Wilson Mill Dam on the Ocoee River near Benton, Polk County, Tennessee

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