Cox's Mill in Jefferson County, Tennessee, United States. Around 1792 this land was settled by William Cox and a grist mill was ran here. The building was constructed from 1798-1803 by Cox, a Revolutionary War soldier. The mill is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mill Creek would of been what the area was called back then. Right nearby is Mill Creek Spring. Research also has shown that a post office was ran here from 1848 to 1901. This was a merchant mill that played a part in the westward expansion through Eastern Tennessee prior to the discovery and development of the Cumberland Gap. The brick mill building was converted to a studio by Stewart Worden. In 2011, it is currently owned by Lou Mogavero. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 1983. When visiting in 2016 we had met a familiar face from our travels in East Tennessee funny thing was we had run into this man earlier in the day at Glenmore Mansion in Jefferson City, Tennessee. Our new friend knew we were serious about history, and it seemed Cox's Mill was getting some upgrades added to it while it's owners were out of state. Randy I believe his name was, Randy the mystery man let us in for a all access tour of the site. He showed us the entire process how the mill would have worked and where the water had come from. He led us through the different levels of the mill, for interesting to see how one can make a historical place like a mill and incorporate a personal studio inside. Top 5 things Panda and I want, is to own a historic place that we can preserve and take care of ourselves and keep the legacy going. So very cool to see the possibilities.. whether it be a old home, factory, mill or hospital. Important thing is this community cares about it's local history and they are doing their part. Is your community doing their part to raise awareness about historic structures in your area that need attention? If you know a historic building that needs to be saved in your community, drop us a line at [email protected] and or DM on Instagram Mikethehikingguide. The historical marker reads as the following, A Revolutionary War veteran wounded at the Battle of King's Mountain on October 1, 1780, William Cox Sr. built Cox Mill, a grist mill, on this site about 1792. He was an "Overmountain Man" living in Watauga in 1775. As a delegate from Washington County to the constitutional convention at Jonesborough in 1784, he voted for the formation of the State of Franklin. He was appointed Jefferson County Magistrate by Governor William Blount in 1792 and by Governor John Sevier in 1796. Cox Mill was in continuous operation for over 150 years and also served as a post office from 1848 to 1901. We shape our buildings; thereafter, our buildings shape us Winston Churchill #hikedontwalk #coxmill #jeffcounty #jeffersoncity #jeffco #easttennessee #historicplaces #millsprings #patriot #historicarchaeology #mikethehikingguide #blogdaily #adventure 1240 Fielden's Store Rd
Jefferson City , TN USA 37760
9 Comments
4/24/2019 09:25:50 am
Taffy and I bought the mill from Lou Mogavero in 2012. We generally spend a couple months each spring and fall at the mill working on it and the landscaping. So far we have restored the water wheel, built a new flume and have the wheel turning via water from a hidden pump system. We have the gearing now operating with the upper stone removed. After restoring some wooden teeth and bearings we should have the system back together and operating for demonstration purposes only.
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J. Gilbert Childers
5/5/2019 01:23:19 pm
Thanks many times over for hosting our visit yesterday (5-4-19). Thanks for your efforts to preserve the mill and the history of the area. It is always a thrill to experience these special bits of history. But most of all thanks for being two of the finest people I have encountered in a long time. Thanks also to the neighbor/friend for the food.
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Michael
7/31/2019 01:37:22 pm
Thank you so much for your comment. I am finally compiling my works for a local book and would LOVE to feature this story. Do you have time to chat? Email me at [email protected].
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7/31/2019 01:43:19 pm
Sorry I am just getting to these comments! So glad you replied I believe when we were given the tour y'all were out of town. I have been contracted to write a book about local history and East Tennessee Oddities. I would love any additional info, pictures etc you could share or are willing to share.
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Jeff Lintz
4/12/2020 06:10:34 pm
Hello! William Cox was my Great Great Great Great Grandfather.. I have only been there one time back in the late 1970’s. A cox relative lived near Knoxville and she and her Husband were kind enough to drive me through the area one weekend. I was going to school at the Naval Air Station in Millington. I made the trip with some friends. I would love to come back and visit sometime. My Great Great Grandfather was William N. Cox, who is buried here in Washington State. He died while on a visit to see his two daughters here in 1888. One of his daughters was my my Great Grandmother. William N Cox was the Grandson of William Cox Sr, the builder of the mill.
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Monette Cortez
10/24/2020 02:31:41 am
Hi Jeff, 4/2/2023 10:38:02 am
I'm doing a story about the mill on a tip from Larry Cox, a Knoxville friend of mine and former public official. Give me an update on the mill and did you also retore the home there? Thanks
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Sherrie Hudson
7/31/2019 01:25:03 pm
We just recently moved to Jefferson County and purchased 17 acreas including an old barn and milk house. It is just a couple miles south of the mill. An elderly gentleman told us the barn has been here as long as the mill. I’m trying to do some research on it. It needs repair and we hate to see it crumple, especially if it is over 200 years old. I’m loving this area and am looking forward to checking out the mill.
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Ashley
5/26/2022 07:50:24 am
Hi! Are there tours of the mill?
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