Nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Patrick County, Cockram Mill is one of Virginia’s handful of operating historic mills. It was built around 1885 by Jesse Blackard who used driving power from the headwaters of the Dan River to produce cornmeal, grits, buckwheat flour, livestock feed, wooden boxes, and lumber. Built with mass production in mind, the mill was unique within the local Appalachian area by virtue of having two turbine wheels instead of the usual overshot wheel. The mill introduced to the area such innovative processes as the ability to clean and shell grain. The business was purchased by W. A. Cockram in 1921. During the 1930s Cockram Mill was also the area’s first and only private facility to produce electricity for sale. The mill fell into disuse in the 1970s but was restored to working order in 1984.