Movie road trip: A cinematic site per state for all 50 states

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Arkansas: Gone With The Wind

The love story between Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind has filled romantic fantasies for decades. Even people who have never seen the movie are familiar with iconic scenes. From the dress made from drapes to the well-known “Frankly, my dear” send off, Gone With The Wind is iconic. The movie is consider one of the top 10 Greatest Movies of All Time by the American Film Institute.

Although the story is set in Georgia, an Arkansas building is often associated with the movie. Featured in the beginning of the movie is the Old Mill. Located in North Little Rock, the structure is believed to the only remaining still standing structure from the film.

While this structure is part of the opening sequence, film historians have no clear record or understanding why this building was featured. Some historians believe that there was a personal connection between James Faucette, a North Little Rock Mayor, and the Old Mill’s builder, Justin Matthews. The unknown connection is believed to add to the location’s romantic mystery.

Today, the Old Mill at T.R. Pugh Memorial Park is part of the National Register of Historic Places. The building, while built in 1933, was designed to appear as if it was from the 1800s. Each piece of concrete was created to look like wood. The amount of detail in the building and surrounding area is astonishing.

While many visitors come for the photo opportunity, the area does offer tours. The location is supported by Friends of the Old Mill, Inc, a volunteer organization. This group works to keep the historic building in good shape. The Old Mill is located at 3800 Lakeshore Dr. in North Little Rock.