During the mid 19th century, thousands of mills across eastern United States took advantage of an endless supply of water power. And Georgia was no exception, with hundreds of grist, cotton, lumber and textile mills spread across the state.
   Here in today's Fayette County, Hananiah Gilcoat (Jill-cote) built the first grist mill along Whitewater Creek in 1825. The Gilcoat land bordered on a new frontier in America, less than a mile from Creek Indian territory. The mill property continued to change owners over a short period of time until Hilliard Starr took over the property in 1866. Working the mill for 13 years, the Starr name has endured at both the mill and the community. Today the mill is recognized as a significant Atlanta Metro Area historic site.
   The current mill, just over 100 years old, was the third mill constructed on the mill foundation. Dating back to 1907, the present mill was rebuilt by William T. Glower when the previous mill was destroy by fire. More than a grist mill, the Georgia mill site went on to power a cotton gin and supply electrical power to the nearby town of Senoia. Still a popular place to fish and take photographs, this charming mill and day use park can be found about 25 miles south of Atlanta, nearby the communities of Starrs Mill and Senoia.

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