Henry River Mill Village , just outside of Hickory , North Carolina .
Located on the Henry Fork in Hildebran , North Carolina , Henry River Mill Village was established in 1902 . Selected for its energy producing potential on the river , the rural mill village occupies 72 acres and runs along the steep slopes of the two-lane Henry River Road . In addition to the mill , the village was originally comprised of 35 wood frame houses , a two-story brick company store , and a two-story wood frame boarding house . The residential houses were one or one-and-a-half-story single family residences and duplexes . The tinroof homes required outhouses as there was no indoor plumbing .
The mill itself was one of the last major cotton mills to be water powered . Construction was completed and the mill was fully operational by 1905 . A brick building standing three-stories tall , the mill sported 4,000 spindles that produced carded yarn . Over the years they upgraded to steam , and then electric power by 1926 . By the 1940s the mill employed 125 people , operating 10,300 spindles with a weekly production output of around 15,000 pounds of combed yarns . The Henry River mill produced fine grade yarns that were used in making lace , gloves , and electrical insulation . Henry River Mill Village was a self-contained , close-knit community ( pun intended ). Long working shifts , low pay , and scant luxuries made
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