Elkin in Surry County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Dam on the Elkin Creek

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 12, 2024

1. First Dam on the Elkin Creek Marker

Inscription. The first dam constructed on the Elkin Creek was located approximately where the present Market Street Extension bridge joins Elk Spur Street. It was probably built in the 1840s. The wooden flume carried water to Richard Gwyn's grist mill and the Elkin Manufacturing Company.
Photo courtesy of Elkin Historical Collection

Erected by Elkin Public Library Endowment (Lin & Ola Hendren Funds), Stone Mountain Trout Unlimited, Patricia & Ken Nicks (Tampco), Greenhill Environmental, Elkin Parks & Recreation Dept., Main Street & Community Manager, Elkin High School, Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.

Location. 36° 14.658′ N, 80° 51.389′ W. Marker is in Elkin, North Carolina, in Surry County. It can be reached from the intersection of West Market Street and Memorial Park Drive, on the left when traveling west. The marker is on the Overmountain Victory Trail south of the trail parking at the intersection of West Market St. and Memorial Park Dr. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 325 W Market St, Elkin NC 28621, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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: Elkin & Alleghany Railway by the 1910 Dam (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Elkin Manufacturing Company (about 400 feet away); David Allen's Iron Works (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Elkin Manufacturing Company (about 800 feet away); Elkin & Alleghany Engine 100 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elkin & Alleghany Railroad Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elkin & Alleghany Railway Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Boone Trail Highway

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 12, 2024

2. First Dam on the Elkin Creek Marker

The trail to the parking lot at West Market St. is in the background. To the beyond the brush is the bridge over Big Elkin Creek, where the dam was located.

(approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elkin.

First Dam on the Elkin Creek Marker looking south on the Overmountain Victory Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 12, 2024

3. First Dam on the Elkin Creek Marker looking south on the Overmountain Victory Trail

Parking to access the trail and the West Market St bridge (former dam location) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 12, 2024

4. Parking to access the trail and the West Market St bridge (former dam location)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 14, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.