The 'Little Dutch Girl and Boy' Quilt Square was painted by Ron Dawson
pictured with the mural on the left.


When you visit the St. John Barn to look at the the quilt square, be sure to also make a visit to St. John Mill - Tennessee's oldest business!
 

The St. John Milling Company has a history of over 200 years continuous operation in the Watauga area of Washington County, Tennessee.  Today, the St. John Farm includes Tennessee's oldest business, St. John Milling Company, and the Stone Manor, one of Tennessee's two oldest homes.

Jeremia Dungan, the original owner of the mill, purchased a deed for the mill, stone manor, and 400 acres of land from the Watauga Association in 1778.  A master stone mason by trade, Dungan built the original foundation of the mill from hand-chiseled stone and hand-hen timber.  The stone manor and stone mill foundations are still standing 200 years later, attesting to his fine workmanship.
 

The original mill was powered by a sixteen-foot high, wooden, overshot, water wheel.  This wheel was connected by dogwood trunnel-head gearing to two fifty-four inch diameter stone buhrs - one stone for grinding corn and one for grinding wheat.  Beef and mutton tallow were produced on the farm to lubricate the gears and bearings.

The mill passed on to the Dungan heirs until 1866, when George W. St. John, great nephew of Jeremia Dungan, purchased the mill and farm.  The Watauga valley was very prosperous, having been spared damage from the Civil War.  Milling continued to flourish as it had for the past century and the area became known as "The Bread Basket of the Southeast".  Railroad and water transportation were an asset to the mill and goods from the St. John Mill were shipped all over the region.  In busy seasons, wagons lined up overnight to grind their grain.  No one seemed to care about the inconvenience, because they enjoyed camping and visiting with their neighbors.

In 1904, James St. John inherited the mill and farm from his father.  For many years, James operated the mull supplying the large stores in the area with flour and grain and doing custom milling on an individual basis.  His son George St. John, an electrical engineer by profession, purchased the mill and improved the operation by converting the power source from water to electricity and modernizing the equipment.

Today, the mill is owned by George St. John's daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Ron Dawson, who are continuing the family business.  The emphasis of the mill operation has changed from a general feed and milling business to a feed and seed store.  The mill now specializes in all aspects of farm needs, from feed grains to pet food and veterinary supplies.  The St. John Mill has existed for over 200 years, and with the support of the family and loyal customers, the business will continue into the next century.

 Safety & Respecting Private Property

When viewing and enjoying the Quilt Trail use caution when slowing or stopping near a site.  Stopping along busy roads can be dangerous and illegal.  All sites are on private property and should be viewed from the public road unless otherwise indicated at the site if it is a business open to the public.   We are indebted to our barn hosts for their generosity.