Murray’s Mill, Catawba, Catawba County, North Carolina
– Click on the image to enlarge or purchase –
Murray’s Mill in eastern Catawba County, North Carolina is an intact 1913 mill lying on the banks of Balls Creek. The mill, built by John Murray, lies on the site of an original mill operated by his father, William, since 1883. In 1906, William deeded the property to his two sons, John and Olney. In 1907, John Murray acquired a 5/6 interest from his brother, who took over the operations of the General Store, which is still within the Murray’s Mill Historic District (across the road to the right on the image below).
In 1913, John replaced the original mill with the current two-story structure, adding a 22 foot overshot waterwheel. In 1938, John’s son, Lloyd, raised the dam 6 feet and installed the 28 foot waterwheel seen today (it’s said that William’s original wooden dam stands beneath the surface of the present pond).
Inside Murray’s Mill (unfortunately closed during our visit), visitors will find William’s original, one-ton French buhr millstones, for grinding corn, as well as a Eureka roller mill that John installed for grinding wheat into flour. All of the mill’s storage bins, each partitioned by tongue and groove sheathing, have been preserved, too.
Further information can be found at the Catawba County Historic Association Web-Site
Murray’s Mill, Catawba, Catawba County, North Carolina
– Click on the image to enlarge or purchase –
Twitter: ljsaltiel
| February 6, 2012
Very nice images and writeup Mark. The second image really gives a feel for the place.
Twitter: catchthejiffy
| February 7, 2012
Mark, beautiful, crisp, clean shots. Well done.
Twitter: CatawbaHistory
| February 7, 2012
Thanks for posting this great image! We hope you get a chance to visit again when we are open for the season. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter and check our website for our hours for the upcoming season. Again, thanks! Beautiful!
Twitter: JimiJones
| February 7, 2012
Love this post, Mark. Wonderful write-up. Nice research on your part. Both images are wonderful. I like the first one for it’s artistic qualities and the second because it really allows the viewer to feel the areas overall beauty. Outstanding work, man.
What, no pics of the original wooden dam below the waterlevel? LOL
Twitter: twitter (username)
| February 10, 2012
I like both compositions here although the second one has the added bonus of the path on the right, leading my eye to that and back to the structure. Nice job Mark.
Twitter: ToadHollowPhoto
| February 13, 2012
Wonderful shots here Mark! What a wonderful old facility. This is one of the reasons I have such strong love for photography, this is a great study of this iconic place!!
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