Grist Mills of the Great Smokies, Part 2

In this second part of my conversation with Tim Hamilton—professor of physics and researcher of grist mills in the Great Smoky Mountains—we pick up right where we left off.

This time, we’re diving into some of the Smokies’ most fascinating stories: Mingus Mill, the legendary Quill Rose, and yes—moonshine. From the ingenuity of millwrights to the colorful characters who defined mountain life, these stories remind us that Appalachian history isn’t just something you read in a book—it’s living, breathing, and woven into the land itself.

If you’ve ever been curious about how mills shaped the Smokies, who kept them running, and how traditions like moonshining fit into the larger Appalachian story, you’ll want to tune in to this one.

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Tags:

#MingusMill #QuillRose #Moonshine #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #AppalachianHistory #NCHistory #WhereTheDogwoodBlooms