Meet Historic Banning Mills Retreat and Conservation Center Founder - Operators

Thank you for visiting the web site for The Lodges at Banning Mills Retreat and Conservation Center. We hope that you will take a few minutes to browse our web site and discover a little of the history and unique beauty of the Snake Creek Gorge and the old town of Banning Mills. And while you are browsing, don't forget to check out the adventure treks offered here including the once in a lifetime experience on Tree Flight Canopy tour.

We found the property in 1998 after finding a one time "land for sale ad in the Atlanta Journal. And though the property had been fairly neglected for over 10years and the grounds were very overgrown, it was decided that we would "take a chance". Actually, Mike decided to take the chance and he really dragged me kicking and screaming from our home on the Kennesaw National Battlefield. It was the beginning of an amazing journey for us both. A journey leaving an indelible mark on us, our four children and hopefully all who will come to visit here. We both sincerely believe that we were led to Banning Mills not only to eventually find out the history and begin to share it but also to make it a blessing to those who need a little peace and quiet and maybe challenge themselves to some awesome adventure!

We moved into the old clubhouse at Banning with the possums and raccoons! It definitely was in need of remodeling. Jeb Stuart, our labrador, loved it. He thought he was in dog heaven.We absolutely had no idea of the history that was here or how pretty the land really was. Mike kept his job with American Airlines as a 777 pilot and I retired from being an RN. We continued with our residential construction business. We tore things up and out and every which way. We cleared land for 3 years, discovering the old town roads, water raceways and ruins. We asked everyone we could about the history and if anyone had old photographs. It just seemed that everyone had forgotten about Banning Mills. Then we had a break. Professor Goodwin at West Georgia University, had begun research on the area before he passed away. We were able to read his findings. It was a start. Then, I was able to find some pictures from one of our little neighbors, Ms Hazel Bowen and Everett Tolbert. More clues! The big break came when Doug Mabry, historian, came onboard with us and began to help us research the whole town and gorge area. From the Creek Indian history right on through the industrial era, we have found out enough history to change the Georgia history books! We even have an official exhibit at the Paper Making Museum at Georgia Tech University.

By 2006, we had grown from a 10 room bed and breakfast to a medium size country inn and retreat center. It really was like the movie "The Field of Dreams". "If you build it, they will come". Then, on Thanksgiving Night of 2006, we had a fire that completely destroyed the main lodge. We lost everything. It was devastating to us and there were so many inner questions, doubts and fears. The community was amazing. So many people came to us and said, "You have got to rebuild". "Banning Mills is special. You must not give up". I think there comes a time in everyone's life that your core beliefs will be challenged. Do you really believe what you believe? Can you really stand on those core values in the hard times? We believe that God is always with us. That He leads us on this journey home and that we can trust Him with all that concerns us. So, we picked ourselves up and began to rebuild. And we did- with lots of prayers, encouragement and great people helping us.

Historic Banning Mills is now reopened. After a multitude of work Banning Mills is now in the middle of 1200 Forever Protected acres, has more history to share, more retreat venues for our groups and more awesome adventures to experience. We are still a work in progress and always will be. Out of the ashes has come new programs such as our Father/Son retreats (ministry thru adventure), Tree Flight Canopy tours (a safari in the trees), Geo navigational treks (new team building opportunities), more land conservation with hiking trails thru the gorge and an additional 88 acres with a lake, RV center and more cottages and cabins. Sometimes one has to walk thru the valley to get to the mountain top but we have seen that "Weeping tarries for the night but joy comes in the morning". We give God the glory and thank Him for his faithfulness, for friends and neighbors that stood by us. We can't wait to see what the future holds. We hope that you may come to visit with us! Our staff, as well as ourselves, look forward to sharing our home and the beauty that God made at Snake Creek Gorge with you.

Sincerely,
Mike and Donna Holder
Historic Banning Mills, A beautiful place

A midnight song that helped us get through!

from Third Day's, DVD "Wherever you Are" Mountain of God

As i travel on the road
that you have led me down. you are here with me. yes, you are here with me.
and i have need of nothing more
now that i have found that you are here with me.

sometimes i think of where it is i've come from
and the things i've left behind.
but of all i've had and what i've possessed
nothing can quite compare with what's in front of me

even though the journey's long and i know the road is hard
well, the One who's gone before me, He will help me carry on.
after all that i've been thru
now i realize the truth
that i must go thru the valley
to stand upon the mountain of God