If someone correctly identifies this edition’s Mystery Photo, they should get the Identifier of the Year awards. This is a difficult Mystery Photo, since it has little in the way of distinctive features about it. But take a stab at it; your guess might be right. Send in your thoughts to elliott@brack.net and be sure to include your hometown.
It was expected that the most recent Mystery Photo would be recognized by many of you. The photo comes via Karen Garner of Dacula.
First in was George Graf of Palmyra, Va., who told us it was “The Old Mill, which is located on Berry College’s Mountain Campus at Trapp Hollow at the foot of Lavender Mountain, Ga. The Old Mill is the second largest waterwheel in the world with a diameter of 42 feet. The Old Mill was used originally for the community of Hermitage, which was near the Shannon Village between Rome and Calhoun, Georgia. The iron hub at the center of the wheel belonged to the Republic Mining and Manufacturing Company and was moved to Berry by Henry Ford upon Miss Berry’s request. The reservoir on Berry’s Mountain Campus supplies water to the Old Mill. A place for the water to naturally flow over the wheel to make it turn was unable to be found when the wheel was constructed, which was a problem. To resolve this issue, a pillar was built next to the wheel. The pillar would carry water to the top of the wheel, then dispense it.”
Then came Sara Rawlins of Lawrenceville, who adds: “The Daughters of the American Revolution provide support for them through charitable contributions.”
Others included Rob Keith, Peachtree Corners who points out: “Amazingly, the pressure of the water alone from the Berry Reservoir is enough to force it up the 42-foot vertical stone column to flow over the wheel and power the mill.” Neal Davies of Decatur adds: “That’s the Old Mill Wheel on the campus of what is now Berry College. When I was a student there in 1957 and 1958, it was then known as Mount Berry School for Boys. There was a high school campus which was closed in 1984 or 1985…a huge mistake by the Board of Trustees in my humble opinion.”
David Earl Tyre of Jesup says: “The last time I saw the wheel was back in 1963 and it didn’t look to be in as good repair as this view does.” Others recognizing the photo include Kevin Queen, Lawrenceville Ga.; Ross Lenhart, Pawley’s Island, S.C.; Lisa Heerman, Suwanee; Libby Cromer, Lawrenceville; and Cheryl Simpson, Lilburn.
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