BURLINGTON, N.C. -
For years, Alamance County's last water-powered textile mill was known as a ghost town, an area full of dilapidated houses and overgrown brush. Glencoe Mill Village appeared largely forgotten, until Preservation North Carolina stepped in.
Built in 1880, Glencoe Mill made fabric that was sold across the United States for nearly 80 years. But in 1954, the mill closed and in the years that followed, workers living in the village nearby slowly left.
"It went to ruins. It became a ghost town," says Jerrie Nall, who now works at the Textile Heritage Museum on the grounds of the village.
In 1997, though, Preservation North Carolina bought the 105-acre property and started bringing the village back to life.
Now, the village is a thriving neighborhood with hiking trails and a boat drop-off for locals to spend some time on the Haw River.
For the history buff, the former town store is now the Textile Heritage Museum, filled with examples of life in the 1800s.
"Hosiery was extremely important in Alamance County," says Nall.
The mill itself is still in a state of disrepair, but a company is working to restore it and eventually open it to the public. But the old mill homes already look new, thanks to homeowners like George Sharrow and Sandy Sprague who take pride in the history of the area.
"I feel almost a responsibility in the manner in which I bring this house back to life," says Sprague.
The couple spent six years restoring their home, which is now happily displayed for visitors to Glencoe Mill Village.
Glencoe Mill Village
2362 River Road
Burlington, NC 27215
http://www.presnc.org/GlencoeMill/
The Glencoe Mill Village homes are open for tours during the Christmas season. The Textile Heritage Museum is open weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. and the hiking trails are open during daylight hours.
Built in 1880, Glencoe Mill made fabric that was sold across the United States for nearly 80 years. But in 1954, the mill closed and in the years that followed, workers living in the village nearby slowly left.
"It went to ruins. It became a ghost town," says Jerrie Nall, who now works at the Textile Heritage Museum on the grounds of the village.
In 1997, though, Preservation North Carolina bought the 105-acre property and started bringing the village back to life.
Now, the village is a thriving neighborhood with hiking trails and a boat drop-off for locals to spend some time on the Haw River.
For the history buff, the former town store is now the Textile Heritage Museum, filled with examples of life in the 1800s.
"Hosiery was extremely important in Alamance County," says Nall.
The mill itself is still in a state of disrepair, but a company is working to restore it and eventually open it to the public. But the old mill homes already look new, thanks to homeowners like George Sharrow and Sandy Sprague who take pride in the history of the area.
"I feel almost a responsibility in the manner in which I bring this house back to life," says Sprague.
The couple spent six years restoring their home, which is now happily displayed for visitors to Glencoe Mill Village.
Want to Go?
Glencoe Mill Village
2362 River Road
Burlington, NC 27215
http://www.presnc.org/GlencoeMill/
The Glencoe Mill Village homes are open for tours during the Christmas season. The Textile Heritage Museum is open weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. and the hiking trails are open during daylight hours.
