Mingus Mill, Great Smoky Mountains National Park--North Carolina
The current mill built in 1886 by Sion Early, a millwright from VA, for six hundred dollars, actually replaced a worn out mill powered by a waterwheel, built n the 1790's by the Mingus family, who owned it until in the 1930's when the National Park acquired it. It was a 'custom mill' catering to each customers personal preference. Parts of this mill were replaced in 1937, again in1968, as parts that get wet then dry then wet again are subject to rot. Notice it has already been running beyond the 31 year span that required replacing rotted parts, possibly due to more modern pressure treated or better known as of preserving wood. The mill operates during the summer as a historical exhibit. What you WONT see is a traditional water wheel! This mill is powered by a turbine manufactured by the James Leffel and company which builds turbines from home size to huge hydroelectric plant sizes. This turbine operates by water moving through its vanes, developing eleven horsepower at 400 RPM, rotating a vertical shaft that powers all the machinery in the mill, along with taking less space than a water wheel with lower maintenance and less expense.
