In 1866, following the devastating Civil War, Mr. John Saxon and Mr. Iverson packed up
their belongings and gathered their Civil War pensions and pay, left Georgia and came to
the banks of the Little Tallapoosa River right here at Butlers Mill.
Believing they could make a new life on these muddy banks, they built one of the first
mills and dams in the area. The banks of the river and surrounding area was lush with
Alabama red mud, rocks, and trees. Just the materials needed.
The middle white building is the corn mill. Later a cotton gin was built and eventually a
saw mill.
The cotton mill is where the restaurant is located. One of the final bales of cotton, from
1973, is on the front porch. When cleaning the upstairs during renovations old cotton
journals were found dating back to the 1950's. Stop by sometime to see if your
grandpappy sold cotton to the Butler Warehouse and Gin.
The Butler family purchased the properties in the 1940's.
Today Butlers Mill is a landmark for local folks and has been visited by patrons from all
over the world. Butlers is often a destination when friends or family visit. The rich history
and rustic atmosphere is pleasant and unique.
their belongings and gathered their Civil War pensions and pay, left Georgia and came to
the banks of the Little Tallapoosa River right here at Butlers Mill.
Believing they could make a new life on these muddy banks, they built one of the first
mills and dams in the area. The banks of the river and surrounding area was lush with
Alabama red mud, rocks, and trees. Just the materials needed.
The middle white building is the corn mill. Later a cotton gin was built and eventually a
saw mill.
The cotton mill is where the restaurant is located. One of the final bales of cotton, from
1973, is on the front porch. When cleaning the upstairs during renovations old cotton
journals were found dating back to the 1950's. Stop by sometime to see if your
grandpappy sold cotton to the Butler Warehouse and Gin.
The Butler family purchased the properties in the 1940's.
Today Butlers Mill is a landmark for local folks and has been visited by patrons from all
over the world. Butlers is often a destination when friends or family visit. The rich history
and rustic atmosphere is pleasant and unique.
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| Click for a slideshow of the Corn Mill |
| One summer many years ago, my daughter mentioned Butlers was on the perfect new job. A job for all in family...a little outside work....a little inside a employees....all the while getting along on the banks of the Little Tallapoosa like Tom and Huck. We tend to forget the run-in's and troubles of those river youngsters family...a little outside work....a little inside a employees....all the while getting along on the banks of the while we dream of lazy summer days fishing. Well, after several weeks of intense cleanup, renovation and finance gathering, Butlers was opened in April 2002 with a full house and 2-3 hours wait. The next morning I awoke to a beautiful spring day exhausted in a daze of shock wondering if the building was still standing! Amazingly it was! Nine years later - Butlers is still managed by the some of the same crew, but we have realized that not every day on the river is a lazy Tom and Huck day, somebody has to chop and carry the wood to power the steam boat. There's been much progress in the past 9 years - less leaky roofs, more waiting areas, better heating and cooling systems, the corn mill now operating, launching docks for paddlers, and some air conditioning in the kitchen, and each day we are grateful for our customers, community and God for all that we have been blessed with. Raising kids on the river and living on the river is a wonderful life. |
Protecting and Preserving our History and Natural Resources |
| Butlers Mill Restaurant Southern Cookin' on the Little Tallapoosa |
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| Water Color Painting by Shirley Saxon Dawkins Descendant of the original Saxon family |
| Will, Noah and Thunder |