The Untold Story Of The North Carolina City That Vanished Overnight
By Carolyn Harmon|Published March 11, 2024
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Carolyn Harmon
Author
Under Brown Mountain Lights the Beast of Blandenboro wanders this magical land where lighthouses shine on kingdoms only accessible by ferries. A Lost Colony of legends and pirates revealed in historical sites and majestic mountains with views that make us weep. The home of handmade sculptures and scrumptious cuisine. North Carolina leaves this long-time writer and artist breathless with endless surprises, including the unlikely warmth a winter walk on the beach can bring.
Sadly, Avalon is a North Carolina city that vanished overnight. Home to more than 450 people at the turn of the 20th century, more than half worked at the Avalon Mill in Rockingham County. In June of 1911, a tragedy struck and a massive blaze swept through the mill, burning it to the ground and devasting the small town. A dream the mill might be reconstructed was unrealized and the village was eventually abandoned. The nearby mill town of Mayodan became the new home for many, including their houses.
It seems the demand for yarn was so high that the Mayo Mill, two miles away, could not keep up, and from 1899 to 1900 a new mill was built in Avalon.
Overseer C. B. Daniels
is the photographer in the front pulling the camera string. Overseer Emmett R. Suttenfield is also in front with a rolled paper in his hand. In the second row wearing a coat and tie is Edgar L. Hege, the superintendent of the mill.
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But it wasn't all about work as they had time for picnics, and this picture is of the first one held at the Avalon Mill picnic ground, with the Mayo River in the background.
Pictured from left: Jessie Vaden, Mrs. Oakley, Mrs. Benton, Mrs. J. S. Suttenfield, Mrs. Hege, and Nora Smith. Ola Mai Suttenfield Foushee is wearing a white dress with her hand on the rope.
And more fun was had one day by some members of the Avalon baseball team standing outside the barber shop and ice cream parlor with a group of people.
Wearing the handsome straw hat is Walter Bailey. Some others include Ball Travis, John Willie Richardson, Troy Shrupshire, Henry Woos, Will Vernon, Jae Joyce, H. Reynaldo, H. Smith, and M. Suttenfield.
Pictured are mill workers watching the Avalon Mill fire of June 15, 1911, after which the town of Avalon ceased to exist, and many homes and buildings were moved to nearby Mayodan.
To learn more about this North Carolina city that vanished overnight, visit the Museum and Archives of Rockingham County website. And another great digital resource, from which permission to use the photos was granted, is the website of DigitalNC.
The lovely Mayo River State Park in Mayodan may give some hints of the vanished town of Avalon. If you go, consider staying in a cozy Vrbo.
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