Epperly Mill on Dodd Creek: Coleman Suite

The Coleman Suite (1 of 2 suites) sits on the 3rd floor of Epperly Mill, with a view in all directions that is calming and serene. There is ceiling to floor windows in the living room, a birds view balcony over looking the creek. You can truly step out of daily life and take some deep breaths. The history of the mill is evident in the gear column that is the centerpiece of this 1600 sq ft loft. The space Epperly Mill is conveniently located 1 mile from the town of Floyd, yet allows our guests all the peaceful elements of the mountains they are looking for. The over 1 acre grounds that are for guest use, is lined with the vivacious Dodd Creek. There is a deck for evening cocktails, a swing for morning coffee by the creek, and 2 firepits on the grounds so you can choose your privacy level. While we encourage our guest to check out of their busy life, our high speed internet allows for work to get accomplished, and with electrical outlets on the deck, feel free to take it outside. Each apartment has floor to ceiling windows allowing the beauty of the grounds to make their way inside. The mill is a vacation in itself. Her History: Epperly Mill was built in 1901 by John Epperly, his sons and brothers. It has been a staple of Floyd Culture ever since. A working Mill until the mid 1940's, it was passed along to several families until the early 70's when it became the epicenter of the "counterculture movement" as more and more "free thinkers" moved to Floyd county escaping the traditional suburban lifestyle. As such, it was Floyd's first food co-operative and then coffee house. The Mill sat silently for several years until it became the home to Presidio Arts run by Charlie Coleman. In 2016, a fire and flood threatened to end the Mill's illustrious career. The brave men and women of the Floyd Fire Department went into the flood waters with ladder and chainsaw, (and lack of pants) to put the fire out. Remnants of the fire can be seen in the venue hall on the first floor. That's when we stepped in. With nothing but love and time and the skills of Bill Eberhardt and Floydian professionals, the mill was structurally stabilized, re wired, re plumbed, insulated, sanded and oiled, massaged and shined. Her old shell was given a lift and all other parts were hand created from materials found as close as we could to the mill itself, if not Floyd. The Coleman Suite on the 3rd floor is a spacious and bright apartment with a birds eye view of the land and the creek. The gears from the mill still reside in the ceiling and the exposed beams give an idea of how they would balance the building through a bolt adjustment. The kitchen is remodeled with all the amenities of home. The stairs in Epperly Mill are original stairs which give them a steeper rise. This can be a difficult climb for those with bad knees, ankles, hips. All of the windows are original where they can be and as such aren't as strong as new windows. For this reason and others children under 12 are not the best fit. All of our guest contribute to the ongoing renovations that will keep the mill standing for future generations to come.Epperly Mill was built in 1901 by John Epperly, his sons and brothers. It has been a staple of Floyd Culture ever since. The pond that was created by the dam was once a swimming hole that gathered the town, providing ice blocks during the winter months. A working Mill until the mid 1940's, it was passed along to several families until the early 70's when it became the epicenter of the "counterculture movement" as more and more "free thinkers" moved to Floyd county escaping the traditional suburban lifestyle. As such, it was Floyd's first food co-operative and then coffee house. The Mill sat silently for several years until it became the home to Presidio Arts run by Charlie Coleman. In 2016, a fire and flood threatened to end the Mill's illustrious career. The brave men and women of the Floyd Fire Department went into the flood waters with ladder and chainsaw, (and lack of pants) to put the fire out. Remnants of the fire can be seen in the venue hall on the first floor. That's when we stepped in. With nothing but love and time and the skills of Bill Eberhardt and Floydian professionals, the mill was structurally stabilized, re wired, re plumbed, insulated, sanded and oiled, massaged and shined. Her old shell was given a lift and all other parts were hand created from materials found as close as we could to the mill itself, if not Floyd. Three years we have put into loving her, we think you will notice. The Coleman Suite is a spacious and bright apartment with a birds eye view of the land and the creek. The gears from the mill still reside in the ceiling and the exposed beams give an idea of how they would balance the building through a bolt adjustment. The kitchen is remodeled with all the amenities of home. The stairs in Epperly Mill are original stairs which give them a steeper rise. This can be a difficult climb for those with bad knees, ankles, or hips. All of the windows are original where they can be and as such aren't as strong as new windows. For this reason, children under 12 are not the best fit. Guest access There is a lovely Creekside deck with ambient lighting and a gas grill for your enjoyment. If you need electricty on the deck, you will find 4 access points. The grounds extend to the bridge, with multiple access points to the creek, including a swing under the porch. There are 2 firepits and a few areas where you may like to have a float. There is a bathroom located on the 1st floor, so you do not have to climb stairs if you are enjoying the outdoors. Other things to note Epperly Mill was built in 1901 by John Epperly, wherever possible the original structure remains. The stairs and windows are a few of those features. This does make them a little harder to use. If you are someone with a hard time on stairs, or have balance issues, this may not be the right pick for you. There is a suite on the 2nd floor. If you feel you need more space, you are welcome to look at the Kimball Suite.