In the sleepy town of Sugar Grove, Virginia, there is a quaint red mill, a silent witness to the passage of time since its construction in 1918. Situated along the south fork of the Holston River, it once thrummed with the energy of bustling activity. But as years slipped by and farming practices evolved, the mill fell into a quiet slumber, its wooden floors echoing only the scurrying of mice and the chirping of birds.
Constructed in 1918 under the direction of Famous Hamm, the Hamm-Roberts Mill stands as a testament to early 20th-century industrial architecture. Crafted by the skilled hands of architect Jackson Peacock, this multi-story frame edifice originally served as a bustling mill. A.B. Roberts later acquired the property, managing its operations until his passing in 1935. After undergoing meticulous restoration efforts years later, the mill now proudly stands as the sole operational relic of its kind within the county.
Enter Sena Ward, an octogenarian at the time of the original publishing of this story whose spirit belied her age.
With faded blue jeans and a painter’s cap perched upon her head, she was the unlikely overseer of this dormant relic. A full-time farmer and keeper of livestock, Mrs. Ward wore many hats, but her heart belonged to the old mill.
As a young girl, she had danced among the dusty aisles of her father’s business (Adam B. Roberts), absorbing the secrets of the mill with every sweep of her broom. Her education spanned far beyond the confines of formal schooling; she learned the intricacies of belt repairs, gear changes, and the alchemy of turning cornmeal and buckwheat into the finest quality golden flour.
Life led her down different paths — from teacher to hospital dietitian — but the call of her inheritance beckoned her home in 1967 at the age of nearly 70. With determination blazing in her eyes, she rolled up her sleeves and set to work. Armed with a broom and a vision, she breathed life back into the forgotten mill.
“It’s important for people to know their heritage,” Sena would say, her voice tinged with the wisdom of years gone by. She was more than just a miller; she was a steward of history. Hand looms and ancient artifacts coud still be found around the mill’s storied halls, each telling a tale of a bygone era. “I. think it’s important for people to know their heritage, she explains as she shows off the two hand looms she keeps on the mill’s second floor. “That’s why I save things like old telephones and old Indian tomahawks.”
Though the mill still bore the scars of neglect, Mrs. Ward’s determination knew no bounds. With each passing day, she lovingly tended to its restoration, a testament to her resilience and unwavering spirit. Amidst the whirring of machinery and the gentle hum of the river, Sena Ward stood as a beacon of hope, breathing new life into the heart of her community, one grain at a time.
Some of the lucky lifelong residents of Sugar Grove still have an original Hamm-Roberts Corn Meal bag, once in a while one of these will turn up at someone’s estate sale framed or in a random box of goodies. They are few and far between. The mill is now over 100 years old and has been repainted. The grounds are well maintained beautifully. It makes for great drive by photography. Driving across the nearby bridge will provide a view of the dam and waterfall in back of the mill.
Mrs. Sena Ward was a highly educated woman having earned degrees from Berea, Columbia University and the University of Kentucky. She was a vast source of local history and information as well as a former educator and dietitian. Mrs. Ward also wrote regular articles in the Smyth County News which give us quite a bit of insight into the community from time to time. She lived well into her 90s and passed away August 11, 1995. She was laid to rest at the Blue Springs Methodist Church Cemetery.
The Hamm-Roberts Mill is a historic structure that we hope will remain in our community for many, many years to come!
*Quotes taken from Southwest Times, Volume 79, Number 28, 3 February 1982
