History

Galax Gazette Article
This article appeared in the Gazette on Wednesday, June 6, 1990

CATRON’S MILL IS PART OF WORKING HOBBY

Ronnie Catron likes to take old things and fix them up.

And even if he can’t find the real thing, he at least likes to make the “new represent the old”.

Catron, born and raised in the Galax area, has completed several projects in his lifetime designed to save the architecture and beauty of years gone by. One such project was restoring an 18th century log cabin once owned by his great-grandfather.

Nearly 50 years after the house was built, Catron’s ancestors purchased the cabin and the land surrounding it in 1897. The home has remained in the family ever since.

When the interior was damaged by fire in 1972, talk of tearing down the cabin dismayed Catron. He decided instead to restore the small, wooden home. Today it features all the modern conveniences yet retains that old-fashioned aura.

On the same site, Catron has now completed his second major project – a working replica of an old grist mill.

“It’s a miniature idea of a working water-powered grist mill,” he said.

Constructed largely by his own ingenuity, the first thing Catron did in his garage in 1981 was begin to build the water wheel. Natural streams on the property made it fairly easy to direct the flow into the wheel.

“I was looking at the land here one day and how the streams were laid out,” he said “and I thought this would be the perfect place for a grist mill.”

The building, constructed in 1984 now houses an arrayt of wheels, belts and pulleys which Catron uses to grind corn, wheat and other grains for family and friends.

Another project in the making also involves mixing modern technology with a bit of history, Catron is now embarking on a subdivision venture in Galax where the homes will all follow a Colonial theme.

“All the houses will be done in Williamsburg and Georgian styles,” he said, “It will be like a Colonial village.”

While that project may keep him busy for awhile, Catron will no doubt find some other way to reproduce the past using his knowledge of today.

“This is just a hobby,” he said. “Instead of playing golf, this is what I do.”

Jim Bartlett Cabin currently known as Catron’s Cabin

The old “Jim Bartlett” cabin as it is known today, is believed to have been built in early 1800s. It almost met its death in 1972, but thanks to Ron Catron, it still survives.

After a fire damaged the interior of the log structure in December of 1972, Nannie Mae Bartlett, Ron’s Aunt, made the decision to have the structure torn down and a more modern house built. Mr. Catron was determined to preserve the cabin. After dismantling the structure, he reconstructed it approximately 300 yards from its original site. The project was completed in 1974.

The log house was originally built by Henry Williams, who moved to Grayson County from Indiana. John Kinworthy surveyed and settled a 400 acre tract of land lying between the old Fries Ferry Road and Oldtown on September 29, 1797. On February 6, 1805, land was officially granted to Kinworthy by the Commonwealth of Virginia. After living there approximately 17 years, Kinworthy willed the 400 acre farm and appurtenances (cabin and other farm buildings) for $300.00 to Henry Williams on September 16, 1822.

The deed that Williams received read as follows: “The said John Kinworthy doth covenant and agree with the said Henry Williams that he will warrant and forever defend the said tract of land with the appurtenances to the said Henry Williams and his heirs forever against the claim or claims of all manner of persons whatsoever.”

On July 28, 1897, James Williams, Sr. who had inherited the farm from his father Henry Williams sold the property to James “Jim” Bartlett. Mr. Bartlett lived there until his death on January 21, 1940. Mr. Jim Bartlett had four children- Fred Bartlett, Claude Bartlett, Nannie Mae Bartlett and Sally Bartlett Williams. Mr. Bartlett was Ron Catron’s great grandfather and Claude Bartlett was his grandfather.

Mr. Catron and family lived in “Catron’s Cabin” for a 10 month period while building their home. Since that time, he has used it as a week-end get-away for his family which subsequently developed into rental property along with Twin Brooks Lodge. A new facility located on the property.

Twin Brooks Lodge
765 Water Wheel Road
Galax, Virginia 24333
Telephone 276-233-4300

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