Hancock's Country Hams (Gone)
Randolph County, NC Photo courtesy Tony Craig
Cruising along Highway 22 through Randolph County, the faded Hancock's Country Hams lettering is hard to miss. The old processing plant has been quiet for years, but the weathered sign still gives away what once happened inside. 11-10
For decades, Hancock's cured and processed country hams here before eventually becoming part of Smithfield. The plant closed for good in July 2000, leaving the large roadside complex empty while the familiar name slowly faded in the Carolina sun.
It's the kind of place that once meant something to everyone who drove this stretch of highway. Today the building sits silent, but the old Hancock's sign still makes it worth a second look.
UPDATE: The former processing plant remains vacant and abandoned, while the fading Hancock's Country Hams lettering has been gone for at least a few years. 07-26
Firestone Plant (Closed)
Gastonia, NC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Firestone Plant is a Gastonia landmark of sorts. This place was the only new England mill style building I saw in the south that did not have it's windows bricked over with the advent of air conditioning. I do not know how much of the sprawling complex was used by Firestone, but banners now show that the structure is going to be restored into condos. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 06-11
The building began life as Loray Mill, opening in 1902 as what was then considered the world's largest textile mill under one roof. It became nationally known in 1929 during the violent Loray Mill Strike, one of the South's most significant labor disputes. Firestone Tire & Rubber purchased the mill in 1935 and converted it to produce tire cord and textile products, making it one of Gastonia's largest employers for decades.
Firestone Plant
Gastonia, NC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Manufacturing finally came to an end in 1993, and for a while it looked as though the old mill might disappear like so many others. Instead, preservation efforts gave the landmark a second chance. Today the sprawling complex has been restored as the Loray Mill Lofts, with apartments, businesses, and a museum occupying the same buildings where thousands once worked.
The towering brick mill may no longer make textiles, but it remains one of Gastonia's most recognizable landmarks and a lasting reminder of the city's rich mill-town heritage.
UPDATE: The beautifully restored Loray Mill continues to thrive as a mixed-use community, preserving one of North Carolina's most significant textile landmarks. 07-26
Yelton's Best Flour
Spindale, NC Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
A few years ago I came across this grain elevator for Yelton's Best Flour in Spindale, NC. It is the perfect subject of a model railroad scene except for a big ugly silver box was clearly added later on to the upper level obscuring what was probably a nice ghost sign. Never the less, the Yelton's sign looks like a repainted vintage. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info.
The mill dates back to 1915 and spent decades producing flour and cornmeal for the surrounding area. Like so many country mills, it relied on the railroad running alongside the building to bring in grain and ship finished products.
The milling days are over, but the old complex still stands as one of Spindale's most recognizable industrial landmarks. Sometimes a little wear and tear just adds to the story.
UPDATE: The historic mill remains standing, and the vintage Yelton's Best Flour sign still watches over the old rail line. 07-26
The Yelton's photos give a hint at how colorful these signs painted on the sides of buildings really were and still on occasion are.
Hancock's Country Hams (Gone)
Firestone Plant (Closed)
Firestone Plant
