Here it is, folks: the 100th blog post for “The Offbeat Path!” Provided my calculations are correct… then again, I never was very good at math.
Moving on! Hello, classic film buffs!
From the Big Easy, we make our way to the Deep South… via Arkansas (depending on what side of the controversial “is Arkansas part of the Deep South?” issue you stand).
As Scarlett O’Hara would say, “I’ll think about that tomorrow.”
Speaking of Scarlett and her people, our next stop is the GONE WITH THE WIND OLD MILL- T.R. Pugh Memorial Park, 3400 Lakeshore Dr., North Little Rock, AR.
This is the old mill you see in the opening credits of Gone with the Wind, like you see in this picture below.
- Original photo link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL2yPFxBQQ4
Here is what it looks like today.
Pardon the yellow-shirted doof* in the second story window; he would not move for my picture.
*I have no translation or definition for the word “doof.”
The park is carefully maintained with fountains shooting water like natural springs (granted, a rather out of control spring) and faux bois (fake wood) bridges and steps around the mill and river for park goers. And yes, you can go into the mill itself.
The mill was dedicated in 1933 by the developer, Justin Matthews. He intended for the mill to look abandoned and forgotten, weathering the forgotten years as the modern world bustles around it. The park and mill were erected in memory of his friend and business partner, Thomas R. Pugh. The mill and its constantly turning wheel symbolize Pugh’s tireless energy while the millstones on the second floor are from Pugh’s grandfather’s plantation. It’s unclear why the mill was used in Gone with the Wind. North Little Rock’s third mayor lived in West Hollywood before the film was released and was friends with Matthews, but there is no evidence that this actually was connected to the film.
Don’t question it, just love it. Go hang out, bring a picnic lunch, a book, or just yourself, and appreciate a tiny piece of one of Hollywood’s masterpieces.
Until next time, dahlings…
