1990 Elder Mill Road
Welcome to Elder Mill Farm, a stunning 62-acre estate nestled in the picturesque countryside of Watkinsville, GA. This exceptional property is a harmonious blend of luxury, tranquility, and functionality, offering an unparalleled lifestyle for those seeking both elegance and nature’s embrace. At the heart of Elder Mill Farm lies the exquisite primary residence. This beautifully designed home features spacious living areas, high-end finishes, and an abundance of natural light. The gourmet kitchen, with top-of-the-line appliances and custom cabinetry, is a chef's dream. The expansive primary suite offers a serene retreat with its spa-like bathroom and walk-in closets. Step outside to your private oasis – a sparkling pool surrounded by lush landscaping and an outdoor kitchen perfect for entertaining.
For equestrian & outdoor enthusiasts, Elder Mill Farm is a paradise. The state-of-the-art horse barn is equipped with all the amenities needed to care for your horses. The estate also boasts extensive riding trails that wind through the scenic property, providing endless opportunities for riding and exploration. Stocked fishing ponds invite leisurely afternoons of fishing, while the manicured trails are ideal for hiking and horseback riding. Multiple firepits around the estate provide cozy spots for evening gatherings under the stars.
Hosting friends and family is a breeze with the charming guest cottage, offering privacy and comfort. This additional living space is perfect for overnight visitors or can serve as a caretaker’s quarters.
Located in Watkinsville, GA, just a stone's throw from Athens and UGA, Elder Mill Farm offers the best of both worlds – a serene rural setting just minutes away from modern conveniences. Enjoy the charm of small-town living with easy access to nearby cities. Discover the limitless possibilities at Elder Mill Farm, where luxury meets nature in perfect harmony. This extraordinary estate is ready to welcome you home.
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Timeline
In 2007, Jeff and Deana Smith listed 40 acres for sale on Elder Mill Road. The Smith’s lived in Watkinsville and planned to build a custom house on the property. After purchasing the property in 2006, they decided a year later to stay in town and sell the property at 1990 Elder Mill Road.
In the fall of 2008, I engaged Bob Smith of Smith Planning in Watkinsville to help us develop an overall land-use plan. Since we had not done this type of work before, we felt it valuable to invest in professional advisors along the way of building our dream home and farm. Bob performed a detailed topography survey and we created a Vision document to capture our future ideas, concepts and plans for Elder Mill Farm. Based on these inputs and dozens of hours walking the land, Bob created an initial plan that identified a driveway, cottage, equipment building, pond, barn and main house building envelopes.
In 2009, we engaged a grading contractor to build a gravel drive and equipment building pad. We engaged Eddie Mock of Pro Building Systems, a well-established commercial builder and friend from Atlanta, to design and build the Metal Equipment Storage Building. We intentionally selected “Medium Bronze” color as we wanted a building that blended into the wooded area and would not stand out. The equipment building is fully conditioned and serves as car storage today.
As part of the overall farm plan, we decided a main house and guest house would be fitting for our needs. Once we were operational in the main house, we planned to regularly host family and friends at the farm. We wanted a main house + cottage combination that was comfortable for 2 or 20+, and wanted to be able to offer friends the privacy of a guest house. In addition, we planned to build the guest house first, so we could live there while the main house was under construction. Based on prior construction experience and Donna’s role as the “project manager,” we knew that being on-site regularly was critical to get the house you wanted.
In 2011, our neighbor to the east, Beau Edwards, approached me about subdividing his 40 acres and selling 22 acres along our 40 acres at 1990. We negotiated a price per acre and closed on the additional property.
In addition to living in the country, Scott dreamed of extending horse ownership and pleasure riding to the farm. Megan enjoyed equestrian sports in high-school. This included buying a two year-old mare from Cooper Quarter Horses in Jefferson, Georgia in 2008. Penny’s registered name is “Don’t Skip My Heaven” and was shired by “Don’t Skip Zip” – a champion western quarter horse. Megan and Penny enjoyed equestrian sports during high-school and we official moved Penny to the farm in 2013 when the Barn/Pastures were complete.
After several years of planning with Harrison Designs, we engaged Powell Home Builders to start construction of the main house. The main house is a French Country design that is intended to look like three sections were built at different times. The main building is designed to accommodate a large 30’x50’ great room, dining and kitchen area with 22’ ceiling, and has an equally large entertain room and wine storage/library/gun room on the lower terrace level that leads out to the pool and cookhouse.
The 60’ x 24’ equipment shed was built by Powell Home Builders in 2015. The style of designed to match the existing Medium Bronze equipment building and provide extra storage for firewood, trailers, equipment or anything needing to stay out of the rain. The foundation consists of 5” think 3,000 PSI concrete.
The original driveway was crusher-run gravel from 2009 through 2014 – after years of compacting the gravel with car and truck traffic, we decided to pour concrete instead of asphalt. We noted in neighbors drives that over time grass grows into the asphalt and is very hard to maintain. Concrete, while more expensive, gives a tight, easy to maintain edge with the grass and landscaping. In 2015, we poured the concrete driveway from the main house to the equipment building to the barn and to the gate. We also installed Bermuda turf grass and irrigation systems to border the driveway.
History of Watkinsville
Watkinsville, Georgia, is a small city with a rich history and a charming Southern atmosphere. Watkinsville was established in 1801, originally part of Clarke County. It was named after Colonel Robert Watkins, a prominent lawyer and politician in Georgia. The town served as the county seat of Clarke County until Athens took over that role in 1872. In 1875, Oconee County was created from the western portion of Clarke County, and Watkinsville became the county seat. The creation of Oconee County was partly due to the residents' desire for a more localized government away from Athens. During the Civil War, Watkinsville was spared much of the destruction that affected other parts of Georgia. However, the town, like much of the South, experienced the hardships of the Reconstruction era. Watkinsville is known for its historic architecture. Many buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries still stand, including the Eagle Tavern, which dates back to the late 18th century and served as a stagecoach inn. The tavern is one of the oldest surviving structures in the area and is now a museum.
Area Highlights
Eagle Tavern Museum
This historic site provides insight into the early days of Watkinsville and the broader region. Visitors can learn about life in the area during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF)
OCAF is a major cultural institution in Watkinsville, promoting the arts through exhibitions, classes, and events. The organization hosts the popular SouthWorks National Juried Art Exhibition and other cultural events throughout the year.
Farmers Market / Local Produce
Watkinsville Christmas Parade
Historic Downtown Watkinsville
Proximity to Athens, GA
Schools
Watkinsville, Georgia, is served by the Oconee County School District, which is known for its strong academic performance and community involvement.
Colham Ferry Elementary School
Grades: Pre-K through 5th grade
Colham Ferry is known for its supportive learning environment and strong emphasis on academic achievement and character development.
Oconee County Middle School
Grades: 6th through 8th grade
This middle school provides a well-rounded education with a strong emphasis on preparing students for high school. It offers various extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, and academic clubs.
Oconee County High School
Grades: 9th through 12th grade
Oconee County High School is highly regarded for its academic programs, athletics, and extracurricular activities. It offers a range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses and has strong programs in arts and athletics.
