Rocky Mount Mills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Rocky Mount Mills
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1151 Falls Rd, Rocky Mount, North Carolina |
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| Built | 1816 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 80002891 |
| Added to NRHP | February 1, 1980 |
Rocky Mount Mills is a historic place in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It was one of the very first cotton mills built in North Carolina, way back in 1816. Today, it's a cool, busy spot! A company called Capitol Broadcasting Company bought the 150-acre area in 2007. They have turned it into a modern campus with places like breweries, restaurants, apartments, offices, and event spaces.
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History of Rocky Mount Mills
The Rocky Mount Cotton Mills started in 1817. It was built by Colonel Joel Battle and Henry A. Donaldson near the Tar River. This mill was very important because it was one of the first in North Carolina to use a large workforce. For many years, the mill used enslaved people and some free African Americans as its workers.
The mill made coarse yarns, which are thick threads. These yarns were often sold in bundles for people in the countryside to weave into clothes at home. This was a common way for people in North Carolina to get their clothing before the Civil War. Some extra yarns were also sold to bigger markets in places like Philadelphia.
The Mill During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, North Carolina's mills were very important for the Confederacy. They made almost all the fabric and textiles needed for the war effort.
Because of this, Union troops tried to destroy these mills. In raids led by General William Tecumseh Sherman, Union soldiers burned down the Rocky Mount Mill. They also destroyed other mills in Eastern North Carolina. Mills in the western parts of the state were also attacked or had their cotton supplies burned. Many mills were left in bad shape after the war, with old machines and not much money to operate.
After the War and Decline
The Battle family owned the mill from 1825 to 1883. After the Civil War, the cotton industry grew in the South, and the Rocky Mount Mill expanded. The company even built a residential village for its workers. This village later became part of the city of Rocky Mount in the 1920s.
During World War II, the mill was a major supplier of cotton yarn for the United States Army. The mill and its surrounding village are now part of the Rocky Mount Mills Village Historic District.
However, in the 1970s, the textile industry in the South began to decline. This eventually affected Rocky Mount Mills, and the mill closed its doors in 1996.
Rocky Mount Mills Today: Redevelopment
Since 2014, Rocky Mount Mills has been getting a big makeover by Capitol Broadcasting Company. This company also owns the popular American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, North Carolina.
The main idea behind the redevelopment is to create a fun, new space. It's now a place for new craft breweries to start up. You can also find many restaurants there. The old mill building itself has been turned into modern apartments, offices, and spaces for events. About 100 historic homes in the old mill village have also been updated and are available to rent.
In 2019, a unique hotel called River and Twine opened on the campus. It has 20 small, stylish tiny house hotels. The next big project is Goat Island, located on the Tar River. This area will offer public access to hiking trails, sandy beaches, and places for paddling sports.
