Rose Hill Mill and House
Also known as: Hannah`s Mill; McDonald`s Mill
Why it's listed
Rose Hill Mill and House form a rural milling complex on Ten Mile Creek, about four and one-half miles northwest of Thomaston in Upson County, Georgia. The centerpiece is a three-story frame mill built in 1859 with mortise and tenon construction, backed by a rock masonry dam laid dry with red clay and mud. Inside, two runs of millstones and machinery dating largely from the 1880s remain, along with elevators, separators and cleaners. A Greek Revival plantation house with a central hall plan and a 1906 bungalow miller's house complete the group. Dr. J. W. Herring, a physician known across the county for his engineering ability, built the mill and advertised it in 1859. Local residents brought corn to be ground, and a small store operated in the building. Later owners added commercial meal and flour production. The mill closed in the early 1970s. The complex was listed for its architecture, engineering and role in local commerce.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the mill is a good example of nineteenth century grist mill architecture and engineering, with a collection of equipment dating largely from the 1880s. It was built by Dr. J. W. Herring, a physician known locally for his engineering ability, and served as a center of local commerce. The mill and house also remain close together with few intrusive structures, allowing study of a milling complex.
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 80001250, listed March 10, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NW of Thomaston on Thompson Lane and Hanna Mill Rd., Thomaston |
|---|---|
| County | Upson County |
| Listed | March 10, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80001250 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Dr. J. W. Herring |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (plantation house); bungalow (miller's house); utilitarian grist mill |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Engineering, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The mill closed in the early 1970s because of corn shortages, health regulations and the owner's poor health; the nomination says that with cleaning and repairs it could operate again. Condition is listed as fair and altered, and present use is marked vacant. |
| Acreage | 26 |
| Coordinates | 32.93491, -84.35650 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 80001250.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.