Scull Shoals, Georgia, Greene County: Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Greene County, Scull Shoals once thrived as a bustling mill town along the Oconee River. Today, it is a haunting reminder of the past, drawing the curious and the adventurous to explore its enigmatic ruins. Below is detailed information about the town.
County: Greene County
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 33.7051° N, 83.2423° W
Elevation: Approximately 535 feet (163 meters)
Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone (ET)
Established: Early 1800s
Disestablished: Mid-20th century
Comments: Scull Shoals was originally established as a mill town, taking advantage of the water power provided by the Oconee River. It grew to include a paper mill, grist mill, and sawmill.
The town flourished in the 19th century, but a series of floods, economic downturns, and changes in industrial practices led to its decline.
Remains: Today, visitors can find remnants of the old mills, chimneys, and other structures. The site is marked by historical plaques that provide insight into its past. The surrounding area is now part of the Oconee National Forest, adding a layer of natural beauty to the historical intrigue.
Current Status: This is a ghost town with historical ruins. It is accessible to the public and is often visited by history enthusiasts, hikers, and those interested in exploring ghost towns.
Remarks: Scull Shoals offers a fascinating glimpse into rural Georgia’s industrial past. Its ruins offer a tangible connection to history, and the area’s incorporation into the Oconee National Forest provides a serene backdrop for exploration.
Visitors are encouraged to respect the site and enjoy its natural and historical features. The Scull Shoals Mill ruins are halfway between Athens and Greensboro on the Oconee River, just northeast of where Georgia State Route 15 crosses the river. Recent archaeological findings and historical documents point to prehistoric Indian occupation.
Captain John C. Fielder was the fort commander who bore his name on the Oconee River in Greene County as early as 1788 or 1789 when Creek Indians attacked it.
Later, it was the site of Ft. Clarke, built in 1793 during the Oconee Indian War with the Creek Indians. Pioneers were rewarded for military service with headright grants for land settled there. Zachariah Sims and partner Thos built and operated a sawmill and grist mill.
Ligon circa 1800. Soon, they built and operated the first paper mill in Georgia from 1810-1814, when the end of the War of 1812 and drought stopped paper production. Scull Shoals was a thriving agri-industrial community with a regional presence by owner Thos. N. Poullain processed cotton into osnaburg cloth during the early to mid 19th century.
After the Civil War, Scull Shoals suffered from outdated water-powered textile processing equipment, a lack of funding to replace aging equipment, and fewer workers available. Naive cotton farming in the area caused massive soil erosion, resulting in disastrous flooding in 1841 and 1887, which sent the town into further decline.
