The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
loved the The Old Grist Mill and the arch bridges
at T.R. Puch Memorial Park
3800 Lakeshore Drive
North Little Rock, Arkansas 72117
October 16, 2022

The two RV Gypsies visited a historic re-creation of an 1880's water-powered grist mill. It is in the opening scenes of the classic movie "Gone With The Wind." It features sculptures by Senor Dionicio Rodriguez and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (Site #86003585).

In 1931, Justin Matthews, developer of the Lakewood neighborhood of North Little Rock, contracted for the construction of a replica of an old, water-powered grist mill dedicated to the memory of Arkansas's pioneers. Neither the stone mill building, nor the general layout is a reproduction of any particular mill, but is a familiar design of early Arkansas, designed to fit the contour of a rough area.

Admission was free on this date. Below: Entry sign and a Memorial Plaque at the entrance.

Below: Walking to the left of the entry - Karen Duquette took photos of the Grist Mill and the first arch bridge.

The Mill, completed in 1933, is intended to appear abandoned and is absent of doors and windows, just as old mills that were in service in the early 1800s had become by the 1930s.

Below: Karen Duquette photographed Lee Duquette on the amazing arched entry bridge to the Grist Mill.

Below: After crossing the bridge, Lee Duquette took photos of Karen Duquette on the arched entry bridge, and again after she crossed over the bridge.

Below: Lee Duquette ready to enter the Grist Mill.

Below: Front entry to the Grist Mill and a look over the side of the bridge at the water wheel before entering the Grist Mill.

Below: Looking back after crossing the arched entry bridge and before entering the Grist Mill, Karen Duquette took a picture.

Below: Inside the Grist Mill, the two RV Gypsies checked out both levels.

Below: Views from each of the two top floor windows facing the arched entry bridge.

Below: Views from side windows

Below: Views from other windows of the Grist Mill. The first one is looking straight down at the water wheel.

Below: Lee Duquette returned to the first floor of the Grist Mill, then exited out the back door.

Below: After exiting the the Grist Mill, the two RV Gypsies took a look back at the Grist Mill's waterwheel and engraved sign.

Below: Side views of the water wheel and Lee Duquette by the Grist Mill

Below: Looking back towards the entry arch - and a nice flower bush

Below: Views of the amazing Big Arch Bridge before walking the side trail to it.

Below: Karen Duquette walked to the Big Arch Bridge first, so Lee Duquette took a photo of her on the bridge, and she took a photo of the Grist Mill entry.

Below: Lee Duquette ready to enter the Big Arch Bridge.

Below: View of "Lake Number 2" from the top of the Big Arch bridge.

Below: Lee Duquette enjoying the view.

Below: A big rock shape that Karen Duquette liked.

Below: Descending the Arch on the other side (near the exit - which is also the entrance)

Below: After Lee Duquette descended the arch bridge, he took a photo of Karen Duquette who was still on the bridge.

Below: Before Karen Duquette left the bridge, she photographed Lee Duquette who was already down on the trail, taking a photo of the Grist Mill - also, shown below.

Below: As the two RV Gypsies were leaving the Grist Mill, Karen Duquette took two last pictures of the Big Arch Bridge/

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