Nethers is named after the local Nethers family who were prominent land owners in the area. Within Nethers is the Nethers Mill, a
gristmill situated on the
Hughes River. Accounts of when the mill was built vary. One account says that a previous land owner named James Ward built the mill in 1794. In 1818, Ward would sell 90 acres of land to Rowland Yowell for $1,000 (This land is believed to have included the mill, hence the high price). Another account states that it was Yowell who build the mill in 1824. However, due to the price Yowell paid for the land, the information about Ward, as well as the presence of grain farming in the area, the earlier date is more likely. Yowell would extend the mill in 1825 before selling it and 75 acres to Henry S. Snyder in 1831 for $1,000. Snyder would then sell the mill and 75 acres to William Clark in 1838 for $1,500. Clark would then sell the mill and 75 acres to John Huffman in 1843 for $850. John would then sell the mill and land to his son-in-law, Arnold Nethers (~1821-1886) in 1858 for $1,500. The mill was operational from the time it was built until 1943.. It was the only mill in the county to be continuously operating from construction to final closure. It was also the first in the region to install equipment to make
buckwheat flour. The mill also once included an attached sawmill. The mill is now privately owned, with the current owners making efforts to restore the mill. In 1778, Johann bought 51 acres of land from the local Strothers family for "Twenty-five pounds Virginia money". He would eventually sell it back to the Strothers in 1788 for the same price before renting it to continue living there. In 1825, Johann and Susanna's son, John Nethers, would purchase 188 acres of land for $650, making the Nethers family substantial landowners. Arnold's son, James "Jimmy" William Nethers, would build a farmhouse next to the Nethers Cabin around 1904.
Corbin Cabin was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1989. == See also ==