This Abandoned Grist Mill Hiding In Virginia Is Hauntingly Gorgeous
By Beth|Published January 27, 2018
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Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: there’s nothing quite as eerily beautiful as an abandoned structure. Virginia has plenty of them too, ranging from deteriorating houses to railroads and even Renaissance Fairs from decades past. Today, we’ll feature a location with equal abandoned allure. Tucked away in Wythe County is a structure known as the Graham’s Forge Mill. This five-story grist mill dates back to the late 1800s and is still standing today, though left completely vacant.
Let’s take a look:
Grahams Forge, Virginia is a beautiful gem of a community located in southwestern Virginia. Characterized by gently rolling hills and the scenic Appalachian mountains, this area is home to all sorts of attractions.
The old grist mill was built in 1890. While mills are certainly common in Virginia, this one has the appeal of a Victorian mansion. At five stories tall, the structure is simply mesmerizing.
The wood-frame building is set on a limestone foundation and has distinguishing characteristics, particularly the cupola on the metal roof and the decorative lightning rod. While there's nothing intrinsically eerie about the building, there is a connection to another Virginia landmark that happens to be one of the most haunted in the region.
Major David Graham, the owner of the grist mill, lived in a nearby mansion that is named in his honor. This stately Victorian house is beautiful on the outside, yet incredibly haunted. To learn more about its haunted history, click here.