Cotton Mills Corner
The property at this corner of Church and Fisher Streets was the location of a three-week revival that in 1887 initiated the textile industry in Rowan County. The Salisbury Public Art Committee designed a bronze history marker for the site and saw an opportunity to further improve the corner with the creative talents of local school children.
The Committee planned a serpentine brick wall to feature textiles designed and created by 4th grade art studetns from local schools. The Waterworks Visual Arts Center hosted sessions where students drew patterns based on symbols from the textile indistry, transferred and molded the patterns into the clay, and then fired and glazed the tiles. Under the guidance from artist Ray Moose, the Committee worked closely with Rowan-Salisbury Schools Director of Elementary Education Dr. Sara Hensley, school arts specialists, and the Waterworks staff to conduct the workshops. The tiles were completed during the fall 2008 school session. The wall, which was built with bricks from the original Kesler Cotton Mill (1895), was dedicated on November 21, 2009.
The plan also included the planting of trees and shrubs to provide beauty and comfort for pedestrians. Seven members of the Southeast Middle School 8th grade football team helped with the planting, along with their coach and team mother.
Erected
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is November 21, 2009.
Location. 35° 40.045′ N, 80° 28.319′ W. Marker is in Salisbury, North Carolina, in Rowan County. Marker is at the intersection of South Church Street and West Fisher Street, on the right when traveling north on South Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 S Church St, Salisbury NC 28144, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Salisbury Cotton Mills (here, next to this marker); The Travelers' Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Macay Law Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Crossroads: Past Into Present (within shouting distance of this marker); Christian Reid (within shouting distance of this marker); Town Well (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Jackson (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); J.C. Deagan Tubular Bell Tower Chimes (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salisbury.
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 146 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
