Ozarks Solitude at War Eagle Mill

Location Coordinates:
36°16'19"N,
93°56'35"W
War Eagle Mill,
Benton County,
Arkansas

Summer heat has faded, humidity levels have become reasonable again, and you can definitely feel the seasonal change in the air. It is a great time of year to jump in the car, roll the windows down, and hit the road to explore the countryside during this bridge between summer and autumn. I recently traveled to Northwest Arkansas and made as a destination the War Eagle Mill, a place that was a favorite of mine during the years I spent living in this part of the country.

Mill and bridge over War Eagle Creek

Just east of the city of Rogers, scenic Highway 12 crosses over Beaver Lake and then begins a winding course through heavily wooded hills. The woods are primarily oak, and in a few weeks time the area will be a sea of deep maroons, yellows, and browns as the trees transition through the fall. But in mid-September these Ozarks woods are still lush and green. The weather was rainy during my drive, but this was not a hindrance. In fact, the showers actually added to the beauty of the region as the clouds wafted through the hills and trees.

Mist over War Eagle creek as geese graze

The current fully operational mill is the fourth in a series of mills built on this site since 1832. It is situated on the War Eagle Creek in a most serene and beautiful valley. Over the years, I've visited the mill many times. On rainy days like this most recent visit I usually have the place all to myself. I've also been out during a time when fluffy snowflakes were falling, providing a pleasing contrast to the red mill. During the later fall season the valley is especially pretty, and ground fog is a common occurrence floating through the russet-colored woods.

Old implements hanging on an out building

There is one time each year, however, that the mill is anything but peaceful. The annual War Eagle Craft Fair draws literally thousands of craft enthusiasts for a long October weekend each year. Craft exhibitor and fair food booths jam both sides of War Eagle Creek in and around the mill, and the little valley takes on a completely different personality. The fresh smell of the woods is replaced by the greasy smell of fried onion blossoms and grilled burgers. The lulling sound of the mill's water wheel is overshadowed by the excited banter of groups of crafters (often dressed in brightly colored craft sweatshirts or sweaters). If you are in to this sort of thing, I understand the War Eagle Fair is one of the premier events on the craft fair circuit.

A quiet place . . .

The entire Ozarks region of southern Missouri and northwestern Arkansas offers some spectacular scenery. War Eagle Mill seems to package all of the appealing qualities of the Ozarks into one location. Hills, valleys, creeks, woods, and a gracefully turning water wheel quietly milling grain and flour. It is a great spot for anyone seeking a little refuge from the frenetic pace of the world today.