Residents react to Ketner’s Mill closing public access
MARION COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- “People are losing a lot. Memories, being able to take their kids to places they once got to go to with their families and enjoy.”
For decades, Ketner’s Mill has been a popular recreation spot in Marion County.
Two centuries ago, some of the first European settlers to what is now Marion County set up a grist mill and dam along the Sequatchie River.
This eventually morphed into Ketner’s Mill, serving as the spot of an annual fair and popular spot for activities like kayaking.
However, the owners of the mill say things are going to have to change, to the disappointment of nearby residents.
Ashley Tate says her family has lived near Ketner’s Mill for generations.
Tate said, “My grandfather was a coal miner and used to go down to the mill to take his baths… My dad had one of his first jobs when he was a really small kid. He used to go down and they would give him birdseed or corn and he would take it home to feed his chickens. That’s how he kept his chickens fed when he was a small kid.”
However, according to the owners of the mill, they are facing lawsuits related to alleged incidents on the site.
They say that it is no longer feasible to continue allowing the public to access the site saying quote “the increasing legal risks, stress, and potential liability associated with public access have made it necessary for us to make this difficult decision.”
In response to this decision, a petition is now circulating among residents demanding government entities such as the Marion County Commission and the TWRA get involved to reopen access to the Sequatchie River.
Their request is for the low head dam at the mill to be removed.
Tate said, “I do understand that it is the man’s private property. I’m completely fine personally with accepting that, but what I can’t accept is putting a big roadblock through the center of the river and saying that you don’t have access from the river from Ketner Mill Bridge to Inman Bridge.”
She hopes that some sort of solution can be reached.
Tate: I would like (outside parties) to collaborate with the property owners and I would like them to either safely dismantle the barrier that’s in the middle of the river or, a lot of people have come to me talking about that they would be fine just having a point of access, someone below the dam if necessary.”
We did reach out to Ketner’s Mill for further comment on the story but have not heard back.
They do say that the annual country fair in October will still be held, but that will be the only time public access is allowed.
