Childersburg Travel Guide

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UNDER CONSTRUCTION

A Confederate Army Capt. Forney set out to build the mill but died before completion. His wife let the contractor complete it. The contractor was a German from South Carolina by the name of G.E. Morris. He was an inventor and had a foundry where he made all of the gears and parts used in the mill. He had a man building a water wheel for him and the man slipped in and patented it 2 hours before Morris got to Washington. Morris went home and changed the design on his wheel and it did better than the first one. He made money on it, while the man who stole his invention went broke. Morris also had a shingle mill down below the mill (the foundation still stands). Split shingles, about three feet long, were put on the mill originally. Morris was building three other mills at the same time. Union Soldiers burned them, but missed the Kymulga Mill.

Mrs. Forney eventually sold the mill to James Baker who owned it for many years. He later sold it to a dentist, Dr. Hurd. John L. Carter bought it in 1949 and operated it as an active mill until it was sold in October 1973 to Ed Donahoo.

In 1988 the Childersburg Heritage Society obtained the mill from Ed. Donahoo, made renovations, and now operates the mill as a tourist attraction in conjunction with the Covered Bridge and adjacent park.

Located in Kymulga Grist Mill Park in Talladega County. Admission charged to the park. This 1860s, 105-foot covered bridge spans scenic Talladega Creek and lies adjacent to Kymulga Grist Mill which is still operational. Nature trails and beautiful scenery make for a romantic getaway.

Operation Schedule: Open Apr.–Oct.: W–Sat. 9–5, Sun. 1–5

Great Steaks, spaghetti, salads, pizza, grilled chicken, chees cake and other deserts. The owners and staff are very friendly and is the cleanest restaurant I have encountered. Of course, they have the good old American Hamburger cooked on a Char-grill.

Favorite Dish: Rib eye steak with fries and salad and sweet ice tea. Also the grilled chicken salad.