Rex Mill
Why it's listed
Rex Mill is a 1 1/2 story frame grist mill beside Cotton Indian Creek in the small community of Rex, Clayton County, Georgia. Its middle section is the oldest part. Shed additions, an overshot metal water wheel and a zig-zag stone dam built in 1919 came later. Inside, iron shafting, belts, elevators and grinding and bolting equipment remain largely in place. The construction date is uncertain, with estimates ranging from the 1820s to the 1860s, and the likely builder was I. L. Hollingsworth, whose family were early county settlers. In 1887 the mill was sold to J. H. and W. C. Estes, who made the additions. J. B. Milam served as miller until 1939. Over time custom grinding gave way to milling for merchants. The mill is one of only two grist mills left in the county and is a plain, functional example of its type. It reflects the independent local businessman in the farm economy of the rural South.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the mill as an architectural reflection of early industry in Georgia and a long-standing visual and commercial landmark in the community. It is one of only two grist mills remaining in Clayton County and kept much of its milling equipment. It also illustrates the role of the independent local miller in the rural agrarian South.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79000712, listed March 7, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Rex Rd., Rex |
|---|---|
| County | Clayton County |
| Listed | March 7, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000712 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1820-1860; also checked 1900- |
| Architect / builder | I. L. Hollingsworth |
| Architectural style | Utilitarian/functional grist mill without particular style or motif |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as fair condition and unoccupied, with plans to restore it to working order and possibly open a museum; the mill was reported as more or less in operating condition. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 33.59320, -84.26894 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79000712.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q106103173
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.