GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS Alfred Reagan House and Tub Mill Historic Structures Report

III. ADMINISTRATIVE DATA SECTION:

A. Name and Number of Structure:

1. Alfred Reagan Rouse, Building Number 134.

2. Alfred Reagan Tub Mill, Building Number 406.

B. Proposed Use of Structure:

As parts of an open air museum along the Cherokee Orchard-Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

C. Justification for such Use:

The master plan recommends the development of open air museums to exhibit various elements of the culture of the mountain people.

D. Provisions for Operating the Structure:

Both structures are located on the Cherokee Orchard-Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a paved, one-way loop road which is closed during winter.

1. The house will be open as long as the road is open, but will not be attended or furnished.

2. The mill will be open as long as the road is open, but will not be attended or furnished and operated.

H. Photographs:

See Part II, Section 4b.

I. PCP:

See Appendix I.

IV. HISTORICAL DATA:

A. Statement of Local Tradition and Hearsay:

Family sources claim that Alfred Reagan constructed all parts of the house and mill, including the mill stones and the bolting machine. Family sources also indicate that the original paint used on the exterior of the house included all three colors offered by Sears Roebuck at that time. This, of course, is not true, since there are more than fifty different colors listed in the reprint of the 1908 Sears Roebuck Catalogue.

B. Resumé of Knowledge of Structure:

Documentary evidence relative to the complex is restricted to the documents of acquisition prepared when the land was purchased for the park in the early 1930s. Much of the information was obtained from taped interviews made within the past few months. These interviews were with older family members and neighbors. Reliable information on structural changes was not contained in any available document or interview. The structure was originally a one-story hewn log cabin. The two attic rooms, the exterior and interior siding, and probably the kitchen addition were all added at a later date.

C. Name of Architect or Designer:

Not known.

D. Name of Builder:

Perhaps T. R. Myers built house: Alfred Reagan probably built tub mill.

E. Name of Owner in Historic Period:

Alfred Reagan.

V. ARCHITECTURAL DATA SECTION:

A. Brief Description of Structural and Architectural Design Including Comparison with Other Known Similar Structures

1. HOUSE

Originally a one-story hewn log structure on stone piers. At an undetermined date the walls were raised to provide two attic rooms. This extension as well as the gables are of stud construction. The lower exterior walls are covered with vertical boards and battens and the gables are covered with lap siding. The central chimney is fieldstone with mud mortar. Two first-floor rooms are connected by a passage at the rear of the house which also gave access to a former kitchen ell. Access to the attic is by an enclosed stair from the front porch in the space created by the chimney. The first-floor rooms are panelled with vertical boards. The building is a good example of a "Saddlebag" house.

2. TUB MILL

Simple stud frame building covered with lap siding. The foundation is stone and log post. The roof, originally wood shingle on shingle laths and rafters, has been replaced with modern construction covered with roll roofing. The building and the mill machinery are similar in design and size to other small mills throughout the Smoky Mountains.

B. NUMBER OF STORIES

1. House - Originally one story but altered to story and a half.

2. Tub Mill - One story, constructed on a sloping creek bank.

C. PRINCIPAL CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

1. House - Hewn logs, circular sawed boards and fieldstone pier foundation.

2. Tub Mill - Circular sawn dimension timbers, boards and siding. The foundation is fieldstone and log post.

D. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SPECIAL FEATURES

1. House

As it stands today, presents the evolution of a crude log cabin into a comfortable, attractive home in keeping with the ambitions and prosperity of an industrious man.

2. Tub Mill

All portions of the building and gristmill machinery appear to be typical of the area and the period.

E. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING CONDITION OF BASIC STRUCTURE AND OF EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR FINISH

1. House

The building as a whole is in fair condition. There is some rot in the lower end of the exterior siding. Lacking a ladder, the upper exterior could not be inspected, but it appears that there is some rot in the lap siding on the gables and in the fascia. The porch ceiling has been partly destroyed and the porch roof framing and trim is in bad condition. The two front doors need repair and the back door is missing.

All sash are missing and the window frames are rotted. Most of the attic flooring has been removed. The stone chimney needs repointing. Both fireplaces need repair and repointing. One mantel must be replaced. The first floor flooring has been patched and there is some rot. Some of the interior paneling is missing. The modern roof sheathing and roll roofing is in good condition.

2. Tub Mill

The existing foundation needs rebuilding. The framing of the building will require extensive replacement. The entire modern roof framing and covering will have to be replaced. The door and window requires repair and replacing. Flooring and siding require considerable replacement.

F. Estimate of extent and cost of Additional Work Required to Complete Architectural Research and Investigation Under Part II

1. House

No additional work necessary.

2. Tub Mill

Investigation in regard to the gristmill machinery will have to be made to determine the number and condition of existing parts. The dam site and flume will require research. The estimated cost of this work is $500.00.