While in the area visiting Rutledge Falls and Machine Falls I decided to add Ledford Mill and its waterfall to our visit. I enjoy visiting mills, as well as waterfalls.
Ledford Mill, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built about 1880 by Stanford Ledford on the same site of an earlier mill that had been destroyed by a fire. The mill continued in operation until the end of World War II, closing in 1946. Now Ledford Mill is home to a three-room bed and breakfast and antiques shop. It was closed during our visit, so we were only able to view the waterfall from the roadside. I hope to visit again sometime and check out the shop and hopefully get a better view of the waterfall.
If you are heading from Tullahoma, go northwest on US 41A. As you leave town, look for Ledford’s Mill Road on your left. Turn left onto Ledford Mill Road and drive about three miles. When Ledford Mill Road veers left, continue straight onto Shipman Creek Road. Continue down the road a little way. You’ll soon see Ledford Mill on your right. The road leads right up to the door on an upper floor of the mill. If the mill is closed, like it was on our visit, you’ll need to drive past it and you’ll come to a small paved pull-off which can hold 3 or 4 cars. After you park you can walk back to view the waterfall from the road.
While driving down to the pull-off, you’ll see Wetumpka Falls on your left side. After parking we visited Wetumpka Falls and then continued on foot to the mill. There was a locked gate across the entrance so we walked along the road heading away from the mill. From the edge of the road we were able to view the side of Ledford Mill Falls.
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