9155 Hwy 1275 N.
Monticello, KY 
606-679-6337

By taking a stroll through Mill Spring’s Park on the shores of Lake Cumberland, one is instantly immersed in the culture and history of another time. It all began in 1700 when hunters and explorers, called “Long Hunters”, found a place “with excellent springs near a waterfall.”

Sitting on the shores of Lake Cumberland and fed by 13 springs, the current grist mill was built in 1877 and restored in 1976 complete with working water wheel. The first mill at Mill Springs was built in 1817, it burned and was rebuilt in 1839. That mill sold and the current mill was constructed. The Army Corps of Engineers operates the mill, which is open for tours seasonally, on weekends and holidays. You can check out their Mill Tour Video any time of year at the Corps’ website.

On Jan. 19, 1862, blood was shed on the grounds of Mill Springs as the North fought the South. The Battle of Mill Springs, as it came to be called, was one of the first great battles of the Civil War.

If you are in the area, Mill Springs Mill and Park are located 19 miles from downtown Somerset and 8 miles from downtown Monticello.