New Manchester Mill
Experience a unique virtual exploration of the New Manchester Mill Ruins in Lithia Springs, Georgia, right from the comfort of your home. With the panoramic images available on Google Maps Street View, you can embark on a 360-degree journey around this once-thriving historical site, now standing silent and abandoned. These immersive images allow you to virtually walk through the ruins, offering a comprehensive view from every angle. As you navigate through the site, the remnants of the past come alive, providing a glimpse into a bygone era. This virtual tour on Google Maps Street View not only makes the history accessible but also preserves the memory of the New Manchester Mill Ruins for future generations.
Image by: Champ1964
Image by: Brent Walker
About the Abandoned Mill
The New Manchester Mill, a significant historical landmark in Lithia Springs, Georgia, has a rich and intriguing past. Built on the banks of Sweetwater Creek, the site originally belonged to the Cherokee and was later acquired by Colonel James Rogers of Milledgeville and Charles M. McDonald of Cobb County in 1847. Construction of the Sweetwater Manufacturing Company, as it was initially known, began shortly thereafter and was completed by late 1849. This impressive five-story red brick factory was notable for being constructed entirely from local materials, with bricks made on-site and foundation stones quarried nearby.
In 1857, Charles McDonald reorganized the company and renamed it the New Manchester Manufacturing Company. The village where the mill was located also came to be known as New Manchester, although the name never fully caught on with the locals. The mill played a crucial role in the local economy, employing many residents from the surrounding area.
The mill’s operations, however, were abruptly halted during the Civil War. On July 9, 1864, Union forces under General William T. Sherman burned the New Manchester Manufacturing Company as part of Sherman’s infamous March to the Sea. This event marked the end of the mill’s operation, and it has remained in ruins ever since.
The ruins of the New Manchester Mill, now located within Sweetwater Creek State Park, stand as a haunting reminder of the area’s past. After the Civil War, the site was left to decay for over a century until the late 1960s, when the Georgia Conservancy preserved the creek, mill ruins, and surrounding land. Today, these ruins offer a glimpse into the history of the textile industry in Georgia and the broader impact of the Civil War on local communities.
The detailed history of the New Manchester Mill reflects the broader narrative of the American South during the 19th century, encapsulating themes of industrial growth, war, and the passage of time. This mill is not just a collection of ruins; it’s a portal into a bygone era, offering valuable lessons and reflections for contemporary visitors.
If you liked this blog post, you might be interested in reading about the St. John’s Church Tower in the United Kingdom, the Peenemünde Power Plant in Germany, or the Kennicott Ghost Town in Alaska.

A 360-degree panoramic image captured at the abandoned New Manchester Mill in Lithia Springs, GA. Image by: Champ1964
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