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Historic Murray's Mill


category : History
A ten-minute hop, skip, and a jump from I-40, the Murray's Mill Historic District, in the rolling countryside of eastern Catawba County, nestles just as it was a century ago along the banks of Balls Creek. It's perfect for an afternoon picnic or a quick leg-stretcher. A placid pond slips over a mill dam, and the 28' waterwheel of this National Register Historic Site makes its slow way round. Nailed to a door-frame in the general store, an old coffee can catches bottle-caps, and a porch swing awaits you out front, as does a chat with a friendly guide before beginning your tour.

The centerpiece of the historic district is Murray's Mill, built by John Murray, whose father, William, had operated a mill on the site since 1883. In 1906, William deeded the property to his sons, John and Oley. In 1907, John Murray acquired a 5/6 interest from his brother Oley, who would take over operation of the general store. In 1913, John replaced his father's mill with the current two-story structure, adding a 22' overshot waterwheel, in lieu of the former turbine. Making room for the mill's expansion, the Murrays moved the general store at that time to its present location. In 1938, John's son, Lloyd, raised the dam six feet and installed the 28' waterwheel (it's said that William's original wooden dam stands beneath the surface of the present pond).

Inside Murray's Mill, 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. When the CCHA overtook the mill's restoration in 1980 the bins still held flour from the day Lloyd Murray, John's son, shut the doors due to bureaucratic red tape and increasing taxes.

Inside "the mercantile department of O. D. Murray and Company," the two-story, gable-front general store (later assuming an additional name, Minges, through a marriage), visitors can crack the lid of an antique Coca-Cola refrigerator and grab a drink in the bottle. The store is also stocked with old-fashioned wooden toys, such as yo-yo's and finger tops, as well as pioneer folk toys. Sweet tooths will find B ·B ·Bats, Cow Tails, Striped Pure Coconut, Candy Buttons, Root Beer Balls, and rock candy in assorted flavors. Old-fashioned soaps and salves and Happy Home Flavorings (some popular with fish, according to the fisherman who stop in), are joined by Pointer brand overalls, aprons, and hats, and Murray's Mill tee-shirts, hats, and mugs. The store is also a convenient way to pick up one of the CCHA's many historical publications. Bead-board ceilings and walls are notable architectural elements, as is the ceiling's octagonal opening, used by Murray to keep an eye on the register while re-stocking the upstairs.


Admission: $3.00/$4.00 per person
Address: 1489 Murray's Mill Rd
Phone: 828-241-4299
Our Email: cchajlml@gmail.com
Our Website:www.catawbahistory.org

Come visit us in Catawba, North Carolina

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Balls Creek Campground

The tradition of annual religious revivals started at Grassy Branch (now Terrell) by Methodist during the late 1790's. This tradition continued when the present Balls Creek Campground was constructed in 1853

Catawba, NC Campgrounds

Murray's Mill

Turn-of-the century gristmill featuring one of the largest water wheels in the state, plus general store, folk art museum, and restored residence of the owner/miller. Nestled in the rolling hills along Balls Creek in rural Catawba County.

Catawba, NC Other Attractions

Murray's Mill

Preserved intact are the 1913 mill itself, the 1890s Murray & Minges General Store, the 1880s Wheathouse, used as an exhibit gallery, the 1913 John Murray House, furnished to the period, and numerous outbuildings.

Catawba, NC Other Attractions

Historic Murray's Mill

A ten-minute hop, skip, and a jump from I-40, the Murray's Mill Historic District, in the rolling countryside of eastern Catawba County, nestles just as it was a century ago along the banks of Balls Creek. It'

Catawba, NC History

Things to do History near Catawba, NC

Historic Murray's Mill

A ten-minute hop, skip, and a jump from I-40, the Murray's Mill Historic District, in the rolling countryside of eastern Cata...