Teal’s Millpond — Chesterfield, South Carolina
SC Picture Project | Chesterfield County | Teal’s Millpond
The sun reflects off Teal’s Millpond as it sets in the small Chesterfield community of Teal’s Mill. The pond was built in the early twentieth century by Dr. Duett Thompson Teal, a doctor, merchant, and industrial innovator. Dr. Teal dammed Bear Creek, and the resulting pond and its former powerhouse provided electricity to the residents of downtown Chesterfield, located about six miles away. The Teal Light and Power Company incorporated in 1918 and was eventually bought by the Carolina Power and Light Company – now owned by Duke Energy and called Duke Energy Progress – but Dr. Teal’s pond remains a fixture of beauty.
According to photographer Jim Jenkins, a sandy beach once allowed locals access to a day of swimming and sunbathing at the invitation of the pond’s waters. Today licensed fishermen are welcome to spend the day casting lines into the pond. Below is a photo of a new bridge crossing the Teal’s Millpond.
Do you know a story or have any information about Teal’s Millpond? If so, please send it to the South Carolina Picture Project. Thank you!
Teal’s Millpond Info
Address: Teal's Mill Road, Chesterfield, SC 29709
GPS Coordinates: 34.666201,-80.008231
Please Share Your Thoughts!
Did you enjoy this page? Do you have any information we should add? Send us your comments below — we can't wait to hear from you!
2 Comments about Teal’s Millpond
November 10th, 2017 at 5:19 am
I am a member of the Evans Family who lived just a few miles from Teals Mill Pond. I remember swimming in the pond near the raceway that provided water power to the grist mill that was located at the junction of Market Street and Teals Mill Road. that was around 1951/1953. I never knew of an electric power station there, but the grist mill could have been aa electrical power producer earlier and later converted to a grist mill, or both might have existed with the electrical power equipment removed before circa 1950.
March 15th, 2017 at 9:43 pm
I was born in Teal’s Mill Community in 1944 – no electricity available. Was always told that dam was built to provide water to operate a grist mill.