If you’re over 50, you may have seen it. Younger than 30, probably not. Over 70, and I bet you’ve seen it at least once but don’t remember it. I’m talking about The Old Mill. This hidden gem in North Little Rock, Arkansas made its five second debut in 1939 during the opening credits of the most successful movie of all time. And The Old Mill looks exactly the same in 2025 as it did in Gone with the Wind.
Go back and watch the introduction on YouTube or better yet, the original movie. Did you see it at the 1 minute 31 second mark?
Like the Oklahoma City National Memorial, I found The Old Mill labeled as a point of interest on Google Maps while planning our 2025 road trip from Tennessee to the Southwest. Besides being a pack-it-all-in kind of gal when I travel, I’m a Gone with the Wind fan, so The Old Mill was a stop I was determined to make.
Where is the Old Mill?
T. R. Pugh Memorial Park, the darling home of The Old Mill is located in an unassuming North Little Rock, Arkansas neighborhood a short jump off Interstate-40. As you wind your way around, you may think “I can’t be going the right way.” You are. Just keep following your GPS.
The park has no grand introduction. No flashing lights, no large parking area, no gift shop or ticket stand. It truly is a hidden gem. We passed it twice before realizing we’d arrived. Streetside parking was the only option. Hopefully, your parallel parking skills are decent. You may need them.
T.R. Pugh Memorial Park Basics
- The park including The Old Mill is free to visit and is open year-round to the public from 8:00 AM- 30 minutes after sunset.
- You can book a guided tour for groups of 25 or more by contacting The North Little Rock Visitor Center. (Restrictions apply.)
- T.R. Pugh Memorial Park was established in 1933 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The Old Mill is said to be the only existing intact structure used in the making of Gone with the Wind.
A Disneyesque Delight
A bucolic fairytale scene unfolds when you enter the park gates. It’s as if you’ve walked onto the movie set of a Disney classic. I couldn’t believe it was real. In a neighborhood! Can you imagine being able to walk across the street from your house to see this anytime you want?
The concrete bridges made to look like wood are fine examples of the age-old French art of faux bois (making non-wood surfaces appear to be wood). They invite you to come in, explore, and travel back to a time gone with the wind of the American Civil War.
Landscaping meticulously thought out and cared for creates a lush backdrop and the small river running through the site features a dainty waterfall and large fountain. Be sure to walk the whole way around the park to get the full experience.
The piece de resistance is The Old Mill, of course. With its spinning waterwheel, original 1828 iron grist mill from a local property, and authentic reproduction stone walls, the Old Mill makes T.R. Pugh Memorial Park a photographer’s delight. You can go inside the mill and look out on the park from the second-floor windows.
History of T.R. Pugh Memorial Park
Justin Matthews, an early-mid twentieth century real estate developer, built T.R. Pugh Memorial Park (known commonly as The Old Mill) in 1933. Matthews is credited as being the major developer of the Little Rock, Arkansas area. The park was named in honor of T.R. Pugh, an Arkansas agricultural mogul and friend of Justin Matthews. Pugh provided financial backing for many of Matthews’ projects and participated in the design of the park. Reminiscent of an English folly, T.R. Pugh Memorial Park was built for public rather than private enjoyment.
If you’re unfamiliar with “follies”, they are places built solely for the purpose of satisfying one’s romantic fancy and were often built by the European elite in the 16th-19th centuries. Like we’d install a gazebo or arbor in our gardens today, they installed the equivalent of Hollywood set scenes.
How many developers today would consider building a park like this for future residents? I want to live in one of those neighborhoods (without the HOA fees).
When was the Old Mill in Operation?
The Old Mill has never been operational as anything other than a tourist attraction. It is, however, an historically accurate example of 19th century working mills.
The iron grist mill was donated by a local family.
Why was the Mill Chosen for Gone with the Wind?
No one knows for sure. Someone in the film industry may have stumbled upon the park in his/her travels and suggested it as a fitting location. Perhaps T.R. Pugh or Justin Matthews had personal connections to the filmmakers. After all, they were prominent, wealthy men. Wealthy men always have connections.
Though not located in what most consider the Deep South, The Old Mill is a classic example of architecture found across the South in the 19th century making it a perfect choice for the movie’s opening scenes. It’s appearance sure put North Little Rock, Arkansas on the map! Even today, T. R. Pugh Park and The Old Mill remain the city’s pride and joy.
Is The Old Mill Worth a Stop?
Do you have to ask? Absolutely! T.R. Pugh Park is a welcome answer to the pressing question of any road trip traveler’s day, “Are we there yet?” The answer is, “Yes, you are.” Put it on your must-see list the next time you travel through the Natural State. You won’t regret it!