Jamestown in Guilford County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Oakdale Cotton Mills

c. 1865

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, July 9, 2012

1. Oakdale Cotton Mills Marker

Inscription. A grist mill operated on this site under a series of owners until 1865. A gun factory was also located on the property during the Civil War. The cotton mill, which would be incorporated as Oakdale Cotton Mills by Joseph Ragsdale in 1896, opened for business in 1865. Today it is the oldest textile mill in continuous operation in the United States and produces natural and dyed cotton yarn and twines.

Erected by Historic Jamestown Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 35° 58.936′ N, 79° 55.633′ W. Marker is in Jamestown, North Carolina, in Guilford County. It is on Oakdale Road south of Oakdale Mill Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jamestown NC 27282, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont

and specifically in Piedmont Triad.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Oakdale School (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confederate Arms Factory (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oakdale United Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Johnson Shoe Company (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Robbins-Holton Mill & House (approx. 0.9 miles away);

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Home of Dr. Shubal Gardner Coffin (approx. 0.9 miles away); Jamestown Public School (approx. one mile away); Lydia's Bridge (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jamestown.

More about this marker. Marker was relocated 30 yds south of its original location (35.98263, -79.92747)

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, July 9, 2012

2. Oakdale Cotton Mills Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, July 9, 2012

3. Oakdale Cotton Mills Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, July 9, 2012

4. Oakdale Cotton Mills Marker

Oakdale Cotton Mills image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, July 9, 2012

5. Oakdale Cotton Mills

Abandoned Oakdale Cotton Mills, closed in 2006 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 5, 2024

6. Abandoned Oakdale Cotton Mills, closed in 2006

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 5, 2024

7. Abandoned Oakdale Cotton Mills, closed in 2006

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,969 times since then and 67 times this year. Last updated on February 21, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 11, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 6, 7. submitted on August 8, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.