The Union County Commissioner’s Office hosted a plaque dedication ceremony at Meeks Park on Thursday, May 14, to honor several local families whose donated labor and materials helped get the wheel of the park’s historic grist mill turning again.
Randy and Chris Hampton of Hampton Well Drilling drilled the well, while Tim Odom, Debbie Scroggs and Chris Fox of Appalachian Water donated and oversaw the installation of the pump and pipe.
Continue reading with a free account.
North Georgia News — serving Union County since 1909.
No card required. Just sign up.
Sole Commissioner Harold Collins said the donations have solved the recurring mechanical problems that used to keep the wheel from turning consistently.
Previous attempts to power the wheel included installing pumps that drew water from Butternut Creek into the mill. However, Collins said constantly running the pumps would “burn them up,” requiring frequent maintenance and costing taxpayer dollars.
“Before, they had maintenance issues all the time,” confirmed County Manager Tony Hughes.
To find a more permanent solution, Hughes reached out to his longtime friend Randy Hampton about installing a well and timer system dedicated solely to operating the wheel.
“We asked what kind of price, and Mr. Hampton said, ‘Well, I’ll just donate it,’ so it didn’t cost the taxpayer anything,” Collins said. “Appalachian Water, they donated the pump and everything and set it up, and it didn’t cost (the county) anything. And now we’ve got a wheel that runs smooth on a timer.”
Although neither business requested payment or recognition for the project, the Commissioner’s Office wanted to show its appreciation by installing a plaque in front of the historic grist mill.
The plaque honors three departed family members of the owners of Hampton Well Drilling and Appalachian Water: Richard Hampton, father of Randy Hampton; Scotty Hampton, son of Randy Hampton; and Kyle Odom, son of Tim Odom and Debbie Scroggs.
“This is the least we can do for them,” Collins said.
Tim Odom described Thursday’s plaque dedication as bittersweet.
“It’s a happy, sad feeling,” Odom said, “but we’re glad we could do it for the community … We’re proud to be a part of it.”
Randy Hampton described a similar feeling.
“It means a lot to have something in remembrance of (Scotty’s) name, and my dad (Richard), too,” he said. “My dad would have been right here, doing the same thing, helping out if he could.”
Added Hampton, “It worked out great for everybody, and (the wheel) looks beautiful. I come out here all the time watching it.”
