The mill is located on Hagood Creek (formerly Jennings Creek) a tributary of the Twelve Mile River. The last dam site is 1650 feet from the mill. From there, the water from the creek was diverted to the mill by an earthen headrace (ditch). Today water is pumped from the creek up to the headrace. The last 80 feet of the race is made of wood.

The wooden water wheel is 20 feet in diameter by 4 feet wide, and produces 22 horsepower. The wheel and mechanical components were rebuilt in the mid-1970's using as many original parts as possible. Restoration work continued in the mid-1980's, and again in the mid-1990's. The ring gear is 18 feet in diameter, and the two granite millstones weigh about 1600 pounds each.

During most of it's life, the Hagood Mill was a busy center of commerce. The Products of Industry Census records Hagood Mill as having produced 2500 bushels of meal (140 000 pounds), and 200 bushels of flour (11 200 pounds) in the year 1870. 120 000 pounds of meal, and 20 000 pounds of feed were produced in 1880.

Hagood Mill was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1972, and is one of the oldest surviving grist mills still producing grain products in South Carolina.

The mill is located on Hagood Mill Road just off of SC Rt. 178, approximately 3 miles north of the town of Pickens South Carolina, or approximately 5 and one half miles south of the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (Rt. 11) at the junction of Rt. 178.

Hagood Mill is open for public tours and demonstrations on the third Saturday of every month from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM, as well as by appointment. Fresh stone ground cornmeal and grits are available, as are the Hagood Mill Cookbook and a variety of other related items. Local musicians and crafts-persons are often on hand for your enjoyment and education.