Here in St. Mary’s County, the first county established in Maryland, a small cotton town (Great Mills) grew up beside the Clifton factory. Built in 1812, the original water-powered textile mill was powered by the St. Mary’s River producing woolen and cotton goods, as well as milling grain and cutting lumber. After the soil no longer supported a substantial cotton crop, the mill was closed and its machinery moved to the Savage Mill.
   By 1900, John Cecil razed the old textile factory and erected a two and a half story roller mill, utilizing some of the original lumber and foundation. The old overshot wheel and drive gearing from the Clifton factory was also put to work. A fickle Saint Mary’s River lead to the adaptation of a diesel generator to power the mill.
   In 1959, the death of H. Robb Cecil signaled the end of all the mill's activities. Much of the milling machinery survived, including the double rolling mill, corn grader, flour packer, sifters and mixers, grain polishers and dust collectors. The Cecil family donated the mill to the Saint Mary's County Historical Society. By the Bicentennial year the old mill housed local arts and crafts. With the mill refurbished and added to the National Register of Historic Places, Cecil's Mill Historic District provides all the ingredients for an interesting visit. The mill continues as an outlet for local art. The General Store, the Cecil home and old Holy Face Church complete this Southern Maryland landmark.

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