After a quick stop for lunch at the Boulevard Bread Company, home to the best pastrami in the state, Beets navigated the way through the streets of North Little Rock. As we continued to wind our way through the scenic neighborhood, a small reservoir opened to the right. Finally in front of a large stone wall, Jason was told to pull the car to a stop.
Still not exactly sure where Beets had led us, we walked through the wrought iron gate which revealed a scene half Lewis Carroll, half Splash Mountain, known as The Old Mill.
Nestled in one of end of the reservoir, a replica of an old mill stood, surrounded by oddly structured wood bridges and seats. Upon closer examination, what we thought was wood turned out to actually be made of cement, designed to look like wood by the secretive artist Dionicio Rodriguez. Known for mixing the coloring, bonding agents and other products in the trunk of his car (and would slam it shut if anyone came near) , his technique is so detailed you can identify the exact species of tree he was replicating.
The mill, although not a replica of any particular mill, is meant to represent the many mills that once dotted the Arkansas landscape. Surrounding the mill, two small footbridges allow visitors to wander through the manicured landscape, interspersed with Rodriguez’s work. Buttressing the far side of the park, a larger bridge crosses the water. The unusually high crown, along with stalactites hanging from the bottom gives it a very surreal look.
You may not know it, but you two have probably seen this mill, for it is thought to be the last remaining structure from the 1939 movie Gone with the Wind. It appeared in the opening scenes!
After getting our fill of this quirky spot, we once again headed back to road, heading east towards our next destination.
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