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 • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location. 35° 24.571′ N,
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Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont and in Greater Charlotte. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
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
Shaping Sites of Concord
Artist: Sharon Dowell
Historic Descrνptions: Jim Ramseur, Mayor Pro-Tem
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 612 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on October 9, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.
