The city of Millen began about 1835 at a site 200 yards north of this spot as the roadside inn of Robert Hendricks Gray. In November 1851 the Wayneborough and Augusta Rail Road was extended to meet the line laid through here in 1839 by the Central Rail Road and Banking Co., making this place an important junction on one of the earliest railroad systems in the U.S. Millen was apparently named for McPherson B. Millen, railroad superintendent, Savannah. On December 3, 1864, the old inn, the railroad buildings, and the Confederate army warehouse here were burned by the armies of Gen. Sherman [USA]. After the war the town was rebuilt and in 1881 was incorporated.