Monday, July 27, 2009

The Old Mill

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This is The Old Mill in North Little Rock, Arkansas, officially known as "Pugh's Mill Park." It's not an actual old mill, but a life-sized sculpture by Dionysio Rodrigues, built and landscaped in 1933 as a replica of the real Pugh's Mill which milled actual grain a century earlier. It's a really beautiful garden spot, a popular place for locals to get wedding pictures taken.

Of historical interest at the old mill are some 19th century millstones and a couple of mile marker stones from a road near Dardanelle. These stones were set in place by an army engineer named Jefferson Davis, who later became the president of the Confederacy. The stones were used to mark the way for native tribes being relocated to western lands, thus marking two miles worth of the "Trail of Tears."
Arkansas Road Stories

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The Old Mill is famous for being in the opening scene of the 1939 blockbuster movie Gone With The Wind. Although it is not known why David Selznick of Selznick Studios chose the Old Mill, it is believed to be the only remaining structure from the movie.
The Old Mill in Gone With The Wind
The Old Mill was honored on the 50th anniversary of the movie in 1989. It was also the site of the unveiling of the
Gone With The Wind commemorative stamp. Over the years, stars from the movie such as Rand Brooks (Charles Hamilton) and Ann Rutherford (Careen O’Hara) have visited the Mill.
IgoUgo
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10 comments:

  1. these photos are absolutely beautiful! you look stunning - what a FABULOUS outfit :D and wow, that bridge is crazy/amazing :)!

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  2. That is absolutley fantastic and I LOVE that bridge!

    Thanks doll,
    The Glamorous Housewife

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  3. wow what an AMAZING location, looks like something from Picnic at Hanging Rock and gorgeous outfit!

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  4. I agree - this is such a beauty. How was it feel to be there? I imagined you were relaxing there, feeling peaceful for its deserted surroundings, eye strains gone, lighter feet... Feels good, isn't it? Historical places always amazing - and I love the way you dressed, with little flower in your hair that matched with the red wild flowers in the Mill. Pretty :)

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  5. Beautiful photos! Your skirt is just darling! And what a neat bridge!

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  6. Thanks everyone!

    Clara- I'm pretty fascinated with historical places too. It's interesting to know see how they change with time!

    It is very peaceful there. There's almost always someone taking professional photos for school or for a wedding and this particular time it was a lady photographing her son and I guess me being photographed by Cody. There was also a group of about twenty kids running around and a couple more teens hanging out inside the bldg. Not quite as you would have imagined it in the 30's but definitely something you would expect in 2009. Even though it's pretty well traveled it's still a peaceful retreat to a historical haven.

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  7. Oh my goodness, this is so beautiful! So peaceful!

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  8. It look gorgeous there and I love the flower in your hair.
    P.S. Yep, I take all my own pictures...maybe 2% of the time I have someone help me...

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  9. But it still great to be there overall - i'd definitely loved to, someday! Oh and I have some news to tell; I tagged you on my post today - to do a list of things that make you happy. I'll be looking forward to see the result - if only you want to do the tag, of course. Let me know!

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  10. Ooh, I love this post!! All that history . . and a Gone with the Wind connection! Also your outfit is extra cute. :)

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