Ambrose Mills was the guest speaker at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Tryon. His presentation traced the history of the Mills family who settled near what is now known as Mill Spring over 200 years ago and included interesting stories and events of the Mills’ family and local history.
The presentation began with Colonel Ambrose Mills who fought at the Battle of King’s Mountain where he was captured and killed. Prior to the Revolutionary War, Colonel Mills built Seven Hearths, which is said to be the first clapboard house built in what was known as “the wilderness.” Several generations of the Mills Family continued to live at Seven Hearths. One of his descendants, Dr. Columbus Mills lived at what is now known as Mimosa Inn.
Dr. Mills was instrumental in the formation of Polk County from portions of Henderson and Rutherfordton Counties. He is often referred to as the Father of Polk County and the Town of Columbus is named in his honor. The program was arranged by Jim Scott who is pictured with Ambrose Mills.

– article submitted
by Bill Hillhouse