Historic Mills

There are three historic Mills in our area of rural Southwest Alabama that would make a great weekend tour. They are located in Dallas County north of Selma. Folsom (11 miles west of Marion on Hwy 14) and north of Beatrice in rural Monroe County.
Keenan’s Mill in Dallas County is owned by the Historical Society. It has been lovingly restored and is open by appointment. The Dallas County Chamber of Commerce has all the details. You can see corn or wheat ground there in a -hands on experience. They also have music on the lawn in early summer. It started out as bluegrass music, but has expanded to include other kinds. This is a water driven mill. It does not have the big water wheel outside the building, but a more efficient operation that turns under the building.
Holmestead Farm is the place in Folsom to see a grist mill. It is housed in an old store museum. Holmestead is owned by the Holmes family. It is the oldest continually operating farm in the State of Alabama. In addition to the store museum, it has a variety of outbuildings, including a dairy and a cotton gin. There are many antique farming implements and tractors housed in some of the buildings. This is an authentic agricultural experience that could take several hours to explore if you ask a lot of questions.
The third mill is Rickard’s Mill in Monroe County. It is open seasonally from April to October. In April, the opening has a day of music and grinding of flour and meal. It ends in October with the Cane Syrup Festival where syrup is made on the spot with you watching and then purchasing the fresh syrup to take home.
If I were planning a weekend to take in all three sites, I would start at the south end with Rickard’s Mill on Friday. I would spend the night in Monroeville, heading for the Monroe County Courthouse Museum early after I had finished my breakfast at the Sweet Tooth Bakery right across the street. I would then head to Rickard’s Mill with a brief stop at Finklea’s Store to buy myself an authentic already seasoned iron skillet. I’d also buy some Monroeville Sausage while I was there to cook in the skillet.
I’d visit Rickard’s Mill, then head on to Camden where I’d eat a late lunch at Uncle Redd’s place where they cook up fresh soul food. Right across the street, I’d visit the Black Belt Treasures gallery of local art and handmade items. I would catch to last ferry to Gees Bend in the afternoon just for the fun of the ride. I’d meander along the back roads out of the Bend to hit Highway 5 and then 22 into Selma. I would spend the night at the historic St. James Hotel. I would also have dinner there, or venture off the beaten path to the Tally Ho that started out as a dinner club in the 1920s. They still have good food, especially, the steaks that they are known for.
The next day, I’d get up early and head out on Hwy 14 for Marion to have breakfast at the Kountry Kitchen. They serve an ample country breakfast that will hold you over well into afternoon. Holmestead Farms has a website, so presumably, you have made an appointment to see it. I would take the time to drive around a little bit in both Selma and Marion to see the architecture. You will pass right through Marion to get to Holmestead Farms. After touring Holmestead Farms, you can either head back to Marion to spend the night at one of their 4 Bed and Breakfasts. You can have dinner either at the Gateway Inn on Hwy 5 or downtown at Lottie’s, enjoying either place.

If you must head home, at least you will take with you a bit of the Black Belt in the sacks of corn and grits you found at the mills.
Here is an easy grits recipe to try at home that will bring you back for more stone ground grits – guaranteed!

SALSA GRITS (a new twist on an old favorite)

½ c grits cooked according to package directions, replacing 1 cup of the water with 1 cup of salsa.
When the grits are thick and tender, add 8 oz of cream cheese melted in.
Serve hot as a side dish for any meat dish, or as a vegetarian entrée.