The Randolph Guide | Asheboro NC | Home Page

Local News

September 2, 2010

Fire razes part of Franklinville Mill; arson suspected

FRANKLINVILLE — Fire gutted a large portion of a historic mill Thursday morning, leaving preservationists wondering what their next step will be.

Originally built in 1838 as the Franklinsville Manufacturing Co., the Upper Mill of what was later called Randolph Mills is owned by the Randolph Heritage Conservancy, headed by Mac Whatley. A feasibility study, funded by a $25,000 grant from the Rural Center of North Carolina, was being done by Smith Sennett, an architectural firm.

Architect Robert Carmac, whose father Darrell Carmac had worked in the 1950s on the masonry of the section planned as a museum, said he had been on the site just this week as part of the study. He's been working on drawings and an assessment of the buildings for renovation.

"The most historic part, a three-story section, is gone," said Carmac.

Whatley said the first building was constructed in 1838, destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1851. The facility was expanded in 1899 and other sections added in later years.

"This will set us back," Whatley said of the fire, "because it's easier to work with something, even (if it's) in bad shape. It's more of a historical loss. There's some stuff not old that we didn't want to keep and some very much older that we wanted to keep."

It's believed the fire was the result of arson.

Franklinville Fire Chief Kyle Dixon, asked if it was set, responded, "Arson? Oh yeah. There's no power to the building. Investigators are here. Hopefully, they'll find out what happened."

Dixon said the call came in from the 911 Call Center in Asheboro at about 4 a.m. Thursday.

"It was totally involved except for the section (planned as a museum) with about $30,000 worth of equipment. We're trying to save that.

"It was a pretty impressive fire," Dixon said.

One problem firefighters faced was finding enough water to throw on the blaze. Dixon said they drained the town's water sytem of approximately 300,000 gallons within the first hour and a half. Then they depended on tanker trucks from all over the county to bring in water from Asheboro.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we use 800,000 or 900,000 gallons," he said.

Crews and trucks were at the site from Eastside, Climax, Ulah, Staley, Seagrove, Westside, Tabernacle and Liberty. Asheboro sent water to the scene.

Cindy Wilkins, a volunteer with the Conservancy, said plans are to develop a "living museum with functioning equipment. It's southern textile history. There's so much history here. So many people worked here."

The old mill has been designated as a historic landmark by the Randolph County Historic Landmark Preservation Commission. It's also on the National Historic Registry.

The Conservancy bought the Upper Mill in the 1990s to restore. It's considered one of the state's last remaining water-powered textile mills. The mill quit making cloth in the late 1970s.

"The mill was the heart of the village," Whatley said. "Everybody in town had a connection to the mill.

"It's definitely a loss to history and to the community," he said. "It's hard to say (what the Conservancy's next step will be)."



Larry Penkava is a staff writer for The Randolph Guide. He can be reached at (336) 625-5576 or by e-mail at lpenkava@randolphguide.com

Text Only
Local News
  • Possible Hospice scam surfaces in county

    Randolph County residents should be on alert for a possible scam involving Hospice of Randolph County.

    February 9, 2012

  • dem protesters 02.jpg Protesters line sidewalk before town hall meeting

    Some 20 sign-carrying protesters lined a sidewalk leading to the front door of the 1909 courthouse last Friday, criticizing Thom Tillis for budget cuts that they said led to more than 1,800 teachers and teacher assistants losing their jobs statewide.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • volkswagon.jpg Best Super Bowl ad? Vote for your favorite

    Naked M&Ms, an out-of-shape dog on a mission and Clint Eastwood delivering a passionate speech about American adversity -- these are among the favorite commercials that aired during Sunday's Super Bowl.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • singingroofer.jpg Music video being shot today, Saturday

    CMG Records of Nashville is in town today and Saturday to film a video of local country singer William Willard.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • Super Bowl Play 60 -- 02.JPG NFL Play 60 Kids Day gets them moving

    It was kids, kids and more kids Wednesday at the Indiana Convention Center, as 38 classrooms of fifth- and sixth-graders enjoyed a morning at the NFL Experience, courtesy of the NFL’s Play 60 Challenge.

    February 2, 2012 4 Photos

  • SecurityPix 1.jpg Super security goes into place for Super Bowl

    Law enforcement officials charged with Super Bowl security are taking extraordinary measures to prevent a terrorist attack, but they’re also working to keep the event from being a field day for common criminals.

    February 2, 2012 2 Photos

  • Communities In Schools – your chance to make a difference

    Communities In Schools of Randolph County will hold its inaugural Mystery Theatre & Masquerade Ball: A Magical Night at Pinewood Country Club on March 30. Patricia Edwards, publisher of The Randolph Guide, gives the details and explains why CISRC needs you to not only plan to attend the event but to get involved.

    February 1, 2012

  • rcc dancing 02.jpg Couples chosen for 2012 RCC dancing event

    The dancer pairings for the Randolph Community College Foundation’s 2012 Dancing with the Randolph Stars benefit were announced at a “Meet the Stars” event held Jan. 29 at The Exchange.

    January 31, 2012 1 Photo

  • bill-belichick.jpg Belichick: Indy friendlier after failed '09 call against Colts

    Coach Bill Belichick jokes about the welcome he has gotten since arriving in Indianapolis -- where Colts fans are less-than-friendly toward his New England Patriots -- for Super Bowl XLVI.

    January 31, 2012 1 Photo

  • sb-tickets.jpg Super prices for NFL's super event

    The price tag of a prime seat in Lucas Oil Stadium for Super Bowl XLVI is officially $1,000, but cash-rich fans will shell out multiples of that to see the NFL championship game.

    January 30, 2012 1 Photo


9/11 Remembered
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
Facebook
Reader Comments
Top News Videos
Obama: Birth Control Policy Meets All Needs Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate' LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines British Man Wanted in '93 Heist Nabbed in Mo. School Officials Excited About 'No Child' Waiver Pentagon Rules Shift on Women in Combat Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat Obama: Mortgage Deal Turns Page on Reckless Era LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Company Fined Over Fatal Stage Collapse Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com