The original water-powered grist mill was constructed by the community founder Colonel Charles Ready in 1812.

Ownership of the mill remained in the family until it burned down during the American Civil War for unknown reasons.

The grounds consisted of five newly restored buildings: The Grist Mill, Granary, Icehouse, Miller's Cabin, and Smokehouse.

The mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 12, 1973[3] and featured on an episode of Tennessee Crossroads in 2015.

[5][6][7] The debris was cleared in March 2024 so that construction could begin on a new general store in the former location.