Beaver Mills
Beaver Mills was a paper mill town in Mobile County that played a surprising role in the Civil War a
State: Alabama
County: Mobile County
Founded: Pre-1861
Abandoned: Early 1900s
Beaver Mills was a paper mill town in Mobile County that played a surprising role in the Civil War as a Confederate uniform storage depot. The mill's tall stone walls still stand as haunting ruins, with uniform buttons occasionally surfacing from the earth around them.
Timeline
- Pre-1861 - Paper Mill Origins Beaver Mills was established around a paper mill that brought jobs and residents to this corner of Mobile County. The mill's stone construction was substantial, designed to last—and indeed, its walls have outlasted the community it created by over a century.
- 1861-1865 - Civil War Service During the Civil War, the paper mill was repurposed as a 'uniform depot' for Confederate forces. Soldiers' uniforms were stored here, and possibly manufactured or repaired as well. The strategic location in rural Mobile County made it an ideal supply point, away from the more vulnerable coastal areas.
- Post-1865 - Post-War Paper Production After the war ended, the surplus of old uniforms found a creative use—they were recycled into bonded paper at the mill. This process of repurposing military cloth into paper was not unusual for the era and kept the mill operational during the difficult Reconstruction period.
- 1890-1906 - Post Office Era A post office operated under the name 'Beaver Meadow' from 1890 to 1906, indicating that a settled community still existed during this period. The post office served as the social and commercial hub for the surrounding area.
- Early 1900s - Decline and Abandonment When the paper mill eventually closed or the industry shifted to other locations, the community lost its economic reason for existence. Residents gradually departed, leaving their homes and the massive mill to be reclaimed by the Alabama woods.
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Fall through early spring when vegetation is less dense
Difficulty: Difficult - private property with access restrictions
Time Needed: Would require 1-2 hours if access were granted
Tips
- The site is privately owned - permission is absolutely required
- Bridges that once provided entry have been removed specifically to prevent access
- If you do gain legitimate access, look for uniform buttons in the soil
- The stone walls of the mill are the most impressive remaining structure
- Photograph from a distance if visiting the area
Quick Facts
- Confederate uniform buttons from the Civil War era can still be found scattered around the ruins
- After the war, old Confederate uniforms were recycled into paper at this very mill
- The post office used the name 'Beaver Meadow' rather than 'Beaver Mills'
- The tall stone walls of the paper mill are so substantial they've survived over 150 years
- The property owner removed access bridges specifically to protect the site from trespassers and treasure hunters
Location
Address: Near U.S. Route 45, south of Citronelle
Coordinates: 30.9697, -88.2347