Some places around Central Arkansas stand out because they feel almost untouched by time.

The Old Mill in North Little Rock is one of them.

Hidden within T.R. Pugh Memorial Park, its rustic bridges, waterwheel, stonework and gardens create a setting that looks like a storybook brought to life.

Yet one of the most fascinating facts about this familiar landmark is that it was never an operating nineteenth-century gristmill.

A pioneer landmark imagined in the 1930s

In 1931, North Little Rock developer Justin Matthews commissioned a re-creation of an early Arkansas water-powered mill as part of his larger vision for the Lakewood neighborhood.

Completed in 1933, the structure was deliberately designed to look as though decades of weather and neglect had worn it down.

Frank Carmean developed the basic architectural design, but the extraordinary details came from sculptor Dionicio Rodriguez.

Rodriguez specialized in faux bois, a technique that makes concrete resemble wood, bark, stone and other natural materials.

The bridges, rustic seats and sculpted surfaces reward close inspection because they are far more intricate than they first appear.

The artist reportedly guarded his techniques closely, leaving craftsmanship that remains part of the mill's enduring appeal.

A surprising Hollywood connection

The Old Mill appeared in the opening scenes of the 1939 motion picture Gone With the Wind.

The City of North Little Rock describes it as believed to be the film's only remaining structure, a remarkable distinction for a neighborhood park.

Over the years, the location has attracted movie enthusiasts, photographers, wedding parties and visitors who simply want to see a uniquely Arkansas landmark.

Although the building itself is a twentieth-century re-creation, the grounds also contain genuine historical artifacts.

An original gristmill mechanism from Pope County dates to 1828, and several millstones and other objects connect the site to Arkansas's earlier transportation and agricultural history.

Those authentic pieces help tell a broader story about the people and work that shaped the state.

Preserving an unusual kind of art

The Old Mill became a city park when the former Justin Matthews Company gifted it to North Little Rock in 1976.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Rodriguez's distinctive concrete work received restoration attention in 1991 and again in 2024 from Carlos Cortés, his great-nephew.

Today, the city parks department, Pulaski County Master Gardeners and Friends of the Old Mill help care for the attraction.

That continuing stewardship is part of why the site remains so inviting generations after it was built.

Planning a visit

You'll find The Old Mill at the corner of Fairway Avenue and Lakeshore Drive in North Little Rock.

According to the city, the grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset, and pets are not permitted.

Visitors can enjoy the winding paths, gardens, water features and carefully sculpted details without needing to plan an entire day around the stop.

Take a few moments to study the rustic bridges and benches rather than looking only at the familiar mill building.

Their handcrafted textures reveal just how much artistry went into creating the impression of something naturally weathered by time.

For longtime residents, The Old Mill can be a nostalgic favorite.

For newcomers, it is a memorable introduction to the region's creativity and history.

Either way, this is one local thing that deserves more than a passing glance.