There's something majestic and peaceful about an old water-wheel gristmill. Maybe it's because so many have stood the test of time and are still in use today, maybe it's because of what they represent—the way things used to be—a time when agriculture relied more on people and less on machines, or maybe it's because they represent a bygone era and a piece of America's history. Whatever the reason, these beautiful relics of our past have a story to tell.

Thousands of water-wheel gristmills built during the 1700-1800's can still be found throughout North America. Some are just a shell of their previous grandeur, while others have been preserved or restored and are still in operation today; grinding corn and wheat into meal and flour the way our ancestors did. These mills once acted as hubs of social activity within the communities they served, and in some cases by the early 1900's had even begun furnishing electricity to those communities.

Today, while these mills may no longer be the daily hubs of activity that they once were, many still host hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and some even play host to popular community festivals.

One such mill is War Eagle Mill located near Rogers, Arkansas, just 28 miles southwest of Historic Eureka Springs. First built in the 1830's, the original mill washed away in 1848. It was rebuilt only to be burned down later during the Civil War on order of a Confederate general who wanted to prevent the Union from taking control of it. In 1873 it was rebuilt again but burned down in 1924. In 1973 it was rebuilt a fourth time on its original foundation. This beautiful working mill continues to produce over 25 whole grain products including flours, meals, cereals, and more. On site you'll even find a restaurant and gift store. The mill also plays host each October to the annual War Eagle Mill Arts and Crafts Fair where as many as 250 artisans offer hand crafted products drawing in tens of thousands of visitors from across the nation.

Another well-known mill is The Old Mill (part of The Old Mill Square) in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Built in the early 1800's and located on the banks of the Little Pigeon River, it was the center of social activity during its prime. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, The Old Mill is still the center of attention and draws in a good percentage of Pigeon Forge's 11 million visitors each year. Complete with a restaurant that serves dishes containing many of the products made there, The Old Mill Square is also home to a general store, a candy kitchen, a creamery, a pottery store and more. Like the War Eagle Mill, the Old Mill plays host to a variety of area festivals.

These are but two examples of thousands of water powered gristmills that remain standing. It's up to us to preserve these valuable national treasures so that they may continue to tell their stories for generations to come.