This is The Old Mill in North Little Rock, officially known
as "Pugh's Mill Park." It's not an actual old mill, but a
life-sized sculpture by Dionysio Rodrigues, built and
landscaped in 1933 as a replica of the real Pugh's Mill
which actually milled actual grain a century earlier. It's a
really beautiful garden spot, a popular place for locals to
get wedding pictures taken.
Of historical interest at the old mill are some 19th century
millstones and a couple of mile marker stones from a road
near Dardanelle. These stones were set in place by an army
engineer named Jefferson Davis, who later became the president of the
Confederacy. The stones were used to mark the way for native tribes
being
relocated to western lands, thus marking two miles worth of the "Trail
of Tears."
The Old Mill appeared in "Gone With the
Wind."
It's
right there in the opening credits, onscreen less than five seconds, but
there it is!
Sixty-five years ago this used to be a country park. Now it's in the
middle of
town. All the extra foliage helps to screen out road noise and the view
of the
surrounding houses.
I understand that I'm allowed to appropriate this classic frame of film
from Mr.
Turner's library for purposes of parody or criticism. Okay, I give GWTW
a
thumbs up.
