One and a half miles to the southeast on Cove Creek, Joel E. Stone built a dam, grist mill, and saw mill, which he and his family operated until 1934 when Norris Lake was raised. The mill served the surrounding area as a community center and whistle-stop for the old Southern Railway. Meal, flour, and wood products were produced using local raw materials. The Stones used the mill as a base for building local houses and churches.