DISCOVERY
This was soon after we discovered the water wheel. Danny Ricketts is standing above the remnants of the wheel and one of the mill timbers protruding from the bank. As you can see, they were well camouflaged.
In late December 2003, Danny Ricketts and his son Bobby Ricketts discovered, what is believed to be, the oldest surviving wooden water wheel in America. The water wheel was built in 1792 and was used to power a grist mill owned by William Beavers on the Sandy Creek in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. ...
Close-up of water wheel and grist mill timber when first discovered in December 2003
Scroll down for close-up
Last Update: July 17, 2006
Webmaster: Bobby Ricketts
This picture was taken standing on the mill site. This beautiful creek is Sandy Creek which feeds into the "Muddy" Dan River in Danville, Virginia.
This drawing by Danny Ricketts shows how Beavers' Mill may have looked before it was destroyed over 200 years ago. Notice the location of the water wheel we discovered.
Click Here
to see pictures of the Grand Opening of the waterwheel exhibit!