To get a look into the past, sometimes all you need to do is look at the present. The hauntingly beautiful abandoned ruins of the historic Great Falls Mill in Rockingham is a wonderful example. The first rendition of Great Falls Mill was built in 1839 and by all accounts it was the tallest building in town.

The enormous cotton mill was four stories high.
Google/Louann Harkey
Unfortunately, near the end of the Civil War, Sherman's troops would burn the mill to the ground.
It was soon rebuilt and still one of the largest cotton mills in the South.
Google/William Huntley
Located on the banks of Little Carr Creek, the mill became a major economic driver in the Rockingham community.
Google/Ben Dover
It was known as a one-stop-shop that engaged in all aspects of the milling process from spinning to dyeing and also weaving.
Google/Ben Dover

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According to one source, it officially closed for business in 1930.
Google/Louann Harkey
Some 42 years later, the mill burned again, leaving only a version of the ivy-covered brick carcass we see today.
Google/Louann Harkey
If it is indeed true that you only need to look at the present to access a window into the past, then seeing the abandoned remains of Great Falls Mill is like opening a visual door to your imagination.
Google/Donna Kester
The four-stories of stacked bricks tell the story of years of gainful employment, hundreds of thousands of yards of cloth shipped all around the world, and a community that was forever changed by the busy-ness of this single business.
Google/Ben Dover
One word of caution: even though we have presented photos of Great Falls Mill here that were obviously taken from ground zero... these ruins are located on private property. Viewing them from the adjacent highway (West Broad Avenue) is the safest and most legal way to see them.
Google Maps
We do not recommend trespassing.

In February 2021, the Richmond County Daily Journal published an article announcing the new owner of Great Falls Mill is seriously considering demolishing the ruins and building a storage facility. No dates for beginning the project have been announced. Until demolition begins and ends, you can view the ruins from the highway along W. Broad Avenue in Rockingham.

For more hauntingly beautiful ruins in North Carolina, keep reading: These 7 Trails In North Carolina Will Lead You To Extraordinary Ancient Ruins.

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Great Falls Mill, Rockingham, NC 28379, USA