Odell, Coleman, and Gibson Mills
In the last quarrter of the nineteenth century, many cotton mills were operating in Concord providing employment for great numbers of local citizens while swelling the population. The above is a tribute to Gibson, Coleman, and Odell mills.
The lower image is of the Odell Mill and actually shows the battling of their great Mill #4 fire of 1908. Mill #4 was lost but the otoher nearby structures were saved. The Odell Mill site is now occupied by Locke Mill Plaza at the head of North Union Street.
The middle image is Coleman Manufacturing Company, the first African American owned and operated cotton mill. This mill structure still stands just off Warren C. Coleman Boulevard, which is named for the mill's founder.
The top image of Gibson Mill shows both their small office building and the railroad tracks running parallel to the mill. Gibson Mill became Cannon Mill Plant #6. Some of the Plant #6 structures remain on McGill Avenue NW, but the buildings shown in this image have been demolished. (Marker Number 6.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
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Location. 35° 24.571′ N, 80° 34.835′ W. Marker is in Concord, North Carolina, in Cabarrus County. Marker is on Union Street South just north of Means Avenue Southeast, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 48 Union St N, Concord NC 28025, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. James Lutheran Church (here, next to this marker); Scotia Seminary (here, next to this marker); City Hall / Street Car (here, next to this marker); Community Center / Canteen (here, next to this marker); Concord Railroad Depot (here, next to this marker); First Cabarrus Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Red Hill Tavern (a few steps from this marker); Commerical Building (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Concord.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 125 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
