A brief history of Mark of the Potter:
Several
mills have lined the Soque river (pronounced "sew-quee") since the
early 1800s for the milling of timber. A few mills have been
built on this site, the first having been built in 1821 by Joseph Hill
for the production of cornmeal. The Hills mill ceased
production during the 1920s. In 1928, Robert Watts, and his
father, Allen "Grandpa" Watts purchased and reopened the mill, and
opened a dry goods store across the road. Robert's wife, Letie,
began to feed the trout that congregated at the bottom of the shoals to
take advantage of the cornmeal that spilled from the mill.
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Grandpa Watts
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The Hills Mill
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In
1930, the Watts' decided to build a new mill. The foundation for
the Hills' mill was used to support the generator house. The new
mill ground corn for farmers and sold meal to the public. Even
back then, Grandpa Watts' Mill was a favorite stop for travelers en
route from Atlanta to the lakes.
Sadly, in the mid-1960s, a flood crested the banks of the Soque and
ruined the machinery. The mill ceased operations and closed.
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In
1968, John and Glen LaRowe "moved into" the Old Watts' Mill to settle
down in North Georgia. After a gigantic renovation, John and Glen
reopened the mill as a pottery shop and their home in the Spring of
1969.
The name "Mark of the Potter" was the outgrowth of careful thought and
vision. Over 30 years later, the name still symbolizes the finest
in handmade pottery, each original piece carrying the individual
"mark," seal, or signature of each craft person. Mark of the
Potter is now the oldest craft shop in Georgia.
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Grandpa Watts on his tractor.
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Workings and descriptions under the mill for visitors to see.
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In
1985, John and Glen decided to retire and sold the shop to one of their
potters, Jay Bucek. Jay kept the shop running as usual, mindful
of the tradition and welcome "sameness" which had drawn so many people
over the years.
20 years later, Jay,
and, his beautiful wife, Janis, still own the mill and live above the
shop. Jay no longer throws pots, but he helps out in the shop and
takes care of his much-loved pet trout. Janis, always smiling and
welcoming, is frequently seen gardening in her flower beds along the
roadside or pampering the potters and staff.
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Generations
of visitors have stopped by, expressing their joy in how our shop has
remained "the same" over all these years, yet there is always something
new and exciting to discover. As always, a warm staff is here to
great you, creative potters "turn" beautiful pots, and the happy trout
are ready to leap for a yummy handout!
-history taken from the Mark of the Potter book
by Mary Towers Weese
Article written by M.W. Collier
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