The old gin at Franklin Arkansas still stands as a monument of Izard County's industrious past. The existing structure sits on the spot the original Boler Mill and Gin where located. The original gin and mill was erected in 1898 but burned in 1919 before the building that still stands was built.
Genon E. Williams, author of the article, "History of the Boler Mill and Boler Family" from the April 1985 issue of the Izard County Historian reported that her mother once witnessed as many as 75 wagons lined-up at the mill! Mrs. Williams' mother also remembered people bringing their crops of wheat, corn, and cotton to the gin from as far away as Agnos, Day, Lacrosse, Wiseman, Larkin, Oxford, and Union.
The EIC Crew is grateful to the Billingsley family for allowing us to explore this amazing old building that still sports some pieces of the machinery that once served the community and the county so well. We were surprised to find that some of this equipment is still in place.
Video of our excursion coming next week!
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