A Star on the Rise...Again.

Cotton.

For years it was a way of life in this area. It was planted, harvested, baled, sold, shipped and even processed in this area.

Not far from where I'm sitting is a community. 125 years ago it was nothing but farmland. An old grist mill was the only hint of industry for miles.

One of the smokestacks standing tall.

Just before the turn of the century the Massachusetts Cotton Company bought the land and built a mill. In those days a mill meant a factory and a village - houses, a school, stores, churches, a doctor's office - it meant community. And that is what Lindale became.

For over a century life revolved around the mill. The whistle marked time as each generation relieved the next. And each generation passed down traditions to the next.

Mr. Bryant installing the pulleys Nov. 28, 1931

One such tradition began during the Great Depression. Like most places, Lindale was hit hard. In the depths of this time a star rose...quite literally. Mill employees built a 11'x11', 400 pound star adorned with 160 electrical lights, 80 on each side. They went out and secured the necessary rigging and hoisted their creation into the sky between the tall smokestacks that stood over the boiler house. The star was built to be large and bright enough to be seen by everyone in the village. It was meant to give the community hope and bring everyone closer together. 

It worked.

For 70 years mill workers hoisted the star into place every December. Men who grew up in the village spending childhood Christmases in the glow of the star took the task from their fathers as the reigns were passed from generation to generation. The star was as sure and as longed for as ol' St. Nick. The mill changed hands many times but the star was constant.

But times change. In September 2001, the Lindale Mill was shuttered. The massive brick complex fell silent and the community began to prepare for the worst.

In 2006, the mill changed hands again and the ropes for hanging the star were cut. The tradition was dead.

But that's not how this story was meant to end. 

A group called Arimathea Holdings, LLC purchased the mill. Much of the complex had been neglected and abused. Some remaining structures had to be demolished. But much of the space was saved and businesses were found to lease some of the space. The boiler house and the iconic smokestacks are still standing. The new owners expressed a desire to preserve the remaining parts of the mill and for it to be available for the community. 

Enter Restoration Lindale. This community group has mobilized in amazing ways. They've restored the old mill pond. Hauled off dozens of dump truck loads of debris and brush, they've cleaned gutters, planted trees, reintroduced ducks to the pond, hung flags for holidays and so much more. They've done it with their own time and money.

And this Christmas, they're going to hang a star between the smokestacks at the old mill. 

The star being raised.

The idea is for it to be big enough for everyone in the village to see it. They hope it will inspire hope and bring the community closer together. Something tells me it's going to work. 

But maybe that's just the historian inside me.

Arimathea Holdings LLC has already made generous donations and concessions to make this happen. Restoration Lindale is planning on "selling" the 160 light bulbs to help raise money to continue their efforts to restore their community. A $25 donation will let you honor a family member or friend that worked at the mill with their own light in the star. I plan to be one of those donors in memory of W. A. Carver, my great uncle, who spent decades working in the mill and playing his guitar on the front porch of the house he bought from the mill (unless my cousin beats me to it - in which case I'll let her take that honor.)

If you wish to help with any of the clean up days sponsored by Restoration Lindale, find them on Facebook. Their website can be found at: http://restorelindale.org 

Donations can also be made to the following address:

Restoration Lindale Inc

534 Reeceburg Rd.

Silver Creek, Ga. 30173