Kilby Mill Falls is a 35-foot series of waterfalls on the lower reaches of Persimmon Creek. It is named after a grist mill formerly operated by the Kilby family along this creek. Henry and Rosie Kilby settled in the Persimmon community in 1898 and developed a 160-acre self-sufficient farm, which allowed them to survive the Great Depression unscathed. Henry died in 1937, but Rosie and her children kept operating the farm and grist mill. Their home had no electricity or plumbing, and wood was the only energy source. The Kilby's heirs

sold the home after Rosie died in 1950, in her nineties. 

Today, the Henry and Rosie Kilby House is owned by Camp Ramah Darom. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains covered with its original unpainted yellow poplar shiplap siding. Remnant mill stones and timbers from the grist mill were documented as late as 1961, but no evidence of the mill remains visible.

Kilby Mill Falls is now an easy quarter-mile hike from Patterson Gap Road, along a well-traveled unofficial trail. Unfortunately, the waterfall always seems to have some debris on it, detracting from the view a bit, but this remains a scenic spot. I'm told that an additional 20-foot waterfall lies just above the main drop of Kilby Mill Falls. 

For detailed directions, see page 303 in Mark Ozboyd's "Waterfalls of Georgia" guidebook.