Autry Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center offers visitors a glimpse into rural life in north Georgia a century ago. Located on 46 acres in the north Atlanta suburb of Johns Creek, Autry Mill preserves the history of the area and allows visitors to imagine a simpler life. The reserve protects a natural forested area in the midst of urban development.

The land north of present-day Atlanta was once inhabited by Cherokee Indians. In the 1830s, the Cherokees were forced to move west on the “Trail of Tears” and their land was distributed to white settlers in a land lottery. Many of the settlers worked on small farms. The Autry Mill property was purchased by the Autry family in 1877 and they built a mill along a small creek that ran through the property. The mill ground corn and wheat for area residents until the 1920s.

The Autry Mill Heritage Center contains four buildings that are original to the farm. The Visitor Center building was built in the mid-19th century as a tenant farm. An old barn was built in the 1940’s by a later owner of the property. Several other historic buildings on the property were saved from demolition and moved from nearby locations to the Autry Mill Heritage Center. The Victorian-style Summerour House was built in the late 19th century as a local country house. The Warsaw Methodist Church dates to the 1850s. The Green Country Store operated in the rural North Georgia community from the 1920s to the 1950s. The store still contains some of the original merchandise and a few other historical artifacts. Historic structures are not usually open to the public, except during special events. However, group tours can be arranged.

The nature reserve has two miles of trails that wind through the wooded stretch and lead visitors to Sal’s Creek. Hikers can see the foundation stones of the old mill, rocky shoals, and several springs. In the wooded area you can see turtles, reptiles and a variety of birds. The Visitor Center has live animals and nature exhibits.

Autry Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center hosts a number of special events throughout the year, as well as summer day camps for children. Heritage Day will be celebrated on September 15, 2012 from 11 am to 3 pm. The event will feature history talks, a gold panning demonstration, arts and crafts, and tours of historic buildings. Autry Mill is located at 9770 Autry Mill Rd, near Old Alabama Rd in Johns Creek. Admission is free. The grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. The Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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