Lee and Gordon’s Mills owner Frank Pierce has asked the historical site be annexed into the city of Chickamauga.

Pierce made the request at the April 19 City Planning Commission meeting. Public meetings regarding the annexation are scheduled for May 7.

“It’s a great opportunity for the city,” said Chickamauga City Manager Johnny Culpepper. “That adds to our historical inventory. That’s probably one of the most valuable historical properties in this area that’s located out of Chickamauga Battlefield.”

Culpepper said the city is trying to pull together the resources for a streetscape project to make Chickamauga a more tourist-oriented. The addition of Lee and Gordon’s Mills can only be an advantage to the Civil War theme the city is trying to achieve, according to Culpepper.

Lee and Gordon’s Mills originated with the Gordon brothers, who came to Chickamauga from Gwinnett County in 1836. One brother, James, bought the site and built the grist mill with an attached store room. It was the first general store in the area.

The mill is fully operational. Pierce restored and repaired the machinery and actual grinding is being done on two of the original mills. Demonstrations and tours are available for visitors every day except Monday.

n In other business, the planning commission adopted a subdivision street lighting policy.

“We didn’t have one before,” Culpepper said. “I worked with TVA and came up with the facts and figures.