Boxley Mill
Villines Mill, also known as Boxley Mill or Whiteley Mill, was originally built circa 1840 by Abner Casey in the Buffalo River valley, in what is now Buffalo National River. After becoming known as Whiteley Mill, the mill was at the center of a Civil War skirmish known as the Battle of Whiteley’s Mill. The mill was rebuilt in 1870 and replaced with a larger mill, becoming known as Villines Mill after the new owner. After three generations of Villines, the mill closed in the 1960s. The mill is included in the Big Buffalo Valley Historic District.
The National Park Service now owns the mill and normally opens it to the public on weekends in October.
History:
The first mill was built about 1840 by Abner Casey at its present site below the Boxley Spring. After a period of operation, it was purchased by Samuel WHITELY and became known as the Whiteley Mill.
The Civil War broke out, and while records reveal no major battles in Newton County, there were a number of bloody skirmishes, including one at Whiteley’s mill on April 10, 1864. In his book, The History of Newton County, Walter LACKEY, relates the following “James Larking VILLINES was two years old when the battle of Whiteley’s Mill was fought. As a young boy he later saw much of the battle ground. The Whiteley Mill then stood on the same ground that the present old water mill stands, and where Mr. VILLINES was the miller for many years. He says that the rebel army was camped opposite the present Duty store (Boxley) and that the Union Army attacked the enemy with both mounted and un-mounted troops, being assisted by cannons located on the flinty ridge. John CECIL, the well-known, well-loved sheriff of Newton County was the leading rebel Captain in this battle.”
The war ended and by 1870, many new families had established homesteads in the Upper Buffalo River Valley and the need for a larger grist mill became evident.
A man by the name of MILLER was employed to build a large, two-story frame building and Robert VILLINES became the miller. The mill had a large under-shot wheel with plenty of water from the Boxley millpond spring supplying sufficient power for grinding corn and processing flour.
Over the years, Cager BOEN and James Larkin VILLINES, the son of Robert VILLINES, were the millers, providing a much needed service for Boxley, Ponca and the surrounding countryside.
Jasper resident Carl VILLINES recalls: “Old Jimmie VILLINES was running the mill when I was about 12 years old. I couldn’t lift the sack of corn up on the horse, so my father would load the corn and then I’d ride to the mill with it. We lived at Center Point, which was eight to ten miles away, and I had to cross the Big Buffalo five times to get to the mill. The round trip took about all day. Then Lester YOUNG put up a grist mill at Ponca which was a lot closer, so I’d go there instead.”
Clyde VILILNES son of James Larking VILLINES and present owner of the Boxley Mill continued to do custom grinding until 1950 when the mill was closed down, ending more than 80 years of service and closing a chapter of Newton County history.
What to Photograph
There is a great deal to photograph here, the mill itself along with other nearby structures including an old house and some small cabins. There is also an old springhouse across the road which during periods of heavy rain a waterfall runs right beside the structure.
Where it is:
The Boxley Grist Mill is located just off of Highway 43 approximately 1 mile north of the Highway 21/43 intersection. It will be on the right side just past the Mill Pond and behind an old stone home and fishing cabins.
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
Click here for PDF version of map
GPS:
35°59’25.544″ N 93°23’53.151″ W
Cost:
Hours:
The Gorgas Science Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service, maintains and preserves the historic mill and nearby fishing cabins. The Boxley Grist Mill is open to the public only during ranger-guided tours. There is a fence around the mill, but you can photograph from behind the fence at any time.
Facilities:
There are no facilities at this location. The closest restroom and drinking water is located a couple miles north of the mill at the Lost Valley Day Use Area.
Location Contact Information:
Boxley Mill Photo Gallery
Click Here for full page gallery
More Photographic Destinations in Arkansas:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
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Great Places for Great Photos
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Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
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