Harnessing Water Power
Downstream from where the current Gervais Street
Bridge now stands, Dr. Frederick W. Green owned and operated a lumberyard, and ran a grist mill to grind flour and corn. A native of New England, Green came South in the 1830s. Water from the canal ran his businesses.
Until the end of the 19th century, most communities had at least one gristmill. Larger towns, such as Columbia, had at least one lumber operation. This mill was one of several that existed along the Broad and Congaree Rivers to provide milling services for a growing population.
Marker can be reached from Gervais Street (U.S. 1/378) near Gist Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
