The Old Mill — Attraction in North Little Rock

The Old Mill – A Timeless Landmark in North Little Rock

Tucked away in the serene, green heart of T.R. Pugh Memorial Park, the Old Mill is one of Arkansas' most enchanting landmarks—a place where art, history, and fantasy blend seamlessly.

📝 Our Experience

We visited the Old Mill early in the evening, an ideal time to soak in its tranquil charm. Parking is limited and located along one side of the street, so arriving early is a good idea. There's also an accessible entrance, making it easy for visitors of all abilities to explore the park.

For photography enthusiasts, the surrounding provides multiple vantage points—along the stream, across its mossy bridges, beside the cascading waterfall, or beneath the trees—every angle offers a stunning shot.

The site is well-maintained, with convenient amenities like restrooms and drinking water available in the premises. For nature lovers, especially botany enthusiasts, the experience is even more enriching—many of the plants and trees around the park are clearly labeled, offering a mini botanical garden feel.

While exploring the grounds, we were lucky to witness a live nature moment—a duck skillfully catching a fish and enjoying its fresh catch right in front of us!

The Old Mill is free to visit and open daily from 8:00 AM until 30 minutes after sunset, making it easy to fit into any itinerary.

We spent about an hour wandering the grounds, discovering different photo-worthy angles, enjoying the peaceful surroundings, and taking plenty of pictures. It’s a perfect stop for a quiet, scenic break—beautiful, thoughtful, and easy to enjoy at your own pace.

🏛️ More about The Old Mill

🏛 A Tribute to the Past

Dedicated on August 6, 1933, and often mistaken for a real gristmill, the Old Mill is actually a replica, designed to appear as the quiet ruins of a long-forgotten pioneer past. Though the Old Mill never operated as a functional mill, the iron grist mill, located on the first floor, is authentic, dating back to 1828.

🎬 Cinematic Legacy

The Old Mill holds a special place in cinematic history—it appears in the opening credits of the 1939 classic Gone With the Wind. Remarkably, it is believed to be the only structure from the film that still stands today, adding yet another layer of magic and nostalgia to the site.

🕰 Best Time to Visit

🌅 Visit early in the morning or in the Evenings just before sunset.

⏳ Plan to spend about an hour exploring, taking photos, and soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.

✍️ Final Thoughts

Though it's not a real mill, the Old Mill’s charm lies in the authentic storytelling it brings to life, from its historical artifacts to its artistic illusions. Whether you're a history buff, photography enthusiast, or someone who just loves beautiful, serene places, the Old Mill offers a transportive experience.

With its historic craftsmanship, lush landscaping, and timeless character, it’s no wonder this small corner of North Little Rock continues to inspire locals, tourists, and filmmakers alike.

If you enjoyed reading about our visit to the Old Mill , we’d love for you to share this post with friends or family who might enjoy a peaceful escape in North Little Rock. Don’t forget to subscribe for more travel stories, hidden gems, and family-friendly adventures.

💬 Have you visited the Old Mill? Or do you have a favorite spot in Arkansas we should check out next? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear...

The Old Mill is a beautiful place with lush nature and wonderful recreation of historical sights. I love all the animals and plant life they support. I do think many people miss the sign they put to explain the history of The Old Mill, as they are more into the beauty of the place. I recommend finding the sign and reading the history of the place. It's really quite interesting. If you look around you can see confetti scattered around in the flower beds in some places, as small as the place is you can hold weddings in the place. It really Is a beautiful place and you could take some beautiful pictures of the bride and groom. Speaking of pictures, I do have a skill of photography. I like to take more 'aesthetic' pictures as millennials call it(I'm a millennial by the way if you got confused.). So the old Mill was a wonderful place to catch some nice photos. The animal life mainly consists of turtles and ducks, but I'm sure their are more animals who hang about, along with many MANY bugs. Their are some beautiful flowers everywhere you look, the flower beds kind of guide you along where you can go. So if you don't see any flowers or lively bushes along the path- don't go. I'll leave you with the pictures I took of The Old Mill, mind you the pictures were removed of the filter so you can see the place in it's beauty. Also the flower pictures are just examples of the different flowers they have in store for you to see. So that being said I recommend you go and visit the place on a nice cool day, you'll be able to spend more time...

​A Place So Magical, It Should Have Its Own Premiere! 🎬✨ ​(SCENE START) INT. THE OLD MILL, NORTH LITTLE ROCK - DAY ​(The sound of a peaceful stream. A gentle breeze. Everything is serene.) ​NARRATOR: If you think this is just a quiet park, you're dead wrong. This place is a living movie set, and it's time for your starring role. ​Forget a leisurely stroll; this is your chance to step into cinematic history. The Old Mill in North Little Rock isn’t just beautiful—it’s a Hollywood legend. From the rustic stone bridge to the calming stream, every shot is pure gold. ​You'll feel like you've walked into a fairytale or a classic adventure film. But here's the best-kept secret only us in the know get to enjoy: this is the real deal! The Old Mill was featured in the opening scenes of the classic movie Gone With The Wind. Yes, the one with Scarlett O'Hara, Rhett Butler, and all the drama. This is believed to be the only structure from the entire film that’s still standing. I'm telling you, this mill has more star power than most actors. ​So go on, stop dead in your tracks, and get your scene. It’s an unforgettable experience—and you don’t even need a green screen. You're welcome. 😉 ​(SCENE END) ​ ​#TheOldMill 🏞️ ​#LittleRockAR #HollywoodHistory ✨ #MovieMagic 🎬 #GWTW #GoneWithTheWind #FilmSet 🎞️ ​#TravelGram 🌍 ​#Wanderlust 💖 ​#TravelerLife ✈️ ​#ArkansasTravel...