History of the farm

The land that is now Chambers Mill Farm has a deep and storied history. In 1833, the Cherokee Indians were removed from North Georgia, and the state distributed the land through a lottery. In the mid-1800s, Samuel Chambers and his brother acquired the property and built a water-powered grist mill. Using two massive millstones and a 12-foot wooden water wheel, the mill operated with an innovative “breast wheel” design, where water struck the wheel six feet high and spun it backward. Later, a water-powered sawmill was added, expanding the farm’s industrial capacity.

In 1924, the Massachusetts Cotton Mill acquired the farm, drawn by the natural springs feeding Silver Creek, a crucial water source. At the time, Silver Creek was used to discharge industrial waste, and controlling its flow was vital for the mill’s operations. The grist mill continued sporadic use until the 1960s when it was destroyed by fire. After West Point Pepperell closed the cotton mill in 2001, they sold and shipped all equipment used to produce denim to India.

In January 1992, Ronnie Kilgo purchased the property from West Point Pepperell. Over the past 29 years, Ronnie and Kathy Kilgo have transformed the farm into a thriving enterprise. Now spanning over 400 acres, Chambers Mill Farm produces cattle pasture for up to 45 head, hay crops, and approximately 24,000 pounds of rainbow trout annually.

Chambers Mill Trout & Cattle Farm stands as a testament to hard work, restoration, and faith. Thanks to the dedication of Ronnie and Kathy Kilgo—and with gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ—it remains a labor of love and a place of beauty, history, and purpose.