Big Elkin Creek Dam
by Chad Meyer
Title
Big Elkin Creek Dam
Artist
Chad Meyer
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography
Description
A close up look at the spill way dam located along the Elkin & Alleghany rail trail in Elkin, North Carolina. This was the home of the Elkin Creek Woolen Mill which later became the
Chatham Manufacturing Company.
In 1890 the railroad arrived in Elkin. The North Carolina Railroad ran along the Yadkin River, and Gwyn and Chatham quickly made plans to move their factory to be alongside it. That same year, Thomas Gwyn sold his interest to Alexander Chatham and the company was renamed the Chatham Manufacturing Company. The new mill no longer needed water power, but instead used steam engines to power generators. The mill made only yarn until 1893 when they began to produce fabrics as well. That was the year that they made the first Chatham Blanket. In 1895 the company started making wool suiting fabric and brought a tailor from New York to make suits.
The mill was destroyed when the Big Elkin Creek flooded in 1916
Uploaded
November 2nd, 2023
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