Morrisville in Wake County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The New South

Horne's Knitting Mill

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 1, 2023

1. The New South Marker

Inscription. Beginning in the 1870s, textile production in the South soared and mills offered poor families jobs, reliable pay, and housing. Morrisville was swept up in this change when Samuel R. Horne built his knitting mill beside the railroad tracks in 1910.

The factory made men's socks in a long single-story structure, which stood between Ashe and Cedar Streets. Soon after the mill opened, Horne followed the example of other mill owners and constructed housing for workers, five homes of which were standing in 2015. The factory lasted only a decade before closing, and was finally destroyed in the 1930s.

[Captions]
• Top: Fannie and Alford Morris pose in their garden with Horne's hosiery mill in the background.
• (Bottom) An example of a mill house built by Samuel Horne for his employees.

Erected by Morrisville History Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 35° 49.421′ N, 78° 49.658′ W. Marker is in Morrisville, North Carolina, in Wake County. Marker is at the intersection of Church Street (State Road 1637) and Ashe Street, on the right when traveling south on Church Street. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Church St, Morrisville NC 27560, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Keeping the Faith (within shouting distance of this marker); Morrisville Station (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); William G. Clements (about 500 feet away); Morrisville Christian Church (about 500 feet away); The Trading Path (about 500 feet away); Morrisville Engagement (about 500 feet away); An Ancient Past (about 600 feet away); Pugh House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morrisville.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 1, 2023

2. The New South Marker

Samuel Ruffin Horne (1837-1918) image. Click for full size.

The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC) via Newspapers.com (Public Domain), June 19, 1918

3. Samuel Ruffin Horne (1837-1918)

A native of Clayton, N.C., he settled in Morrisville after serving in the Confederate Army. He was an owner of the Carleigh Phosphate Mills and several other manufacturing enterprises in Raleigh, Clayton, Wilson and Norfolk.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 47 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 17, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.