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. Marker 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.

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); Home of Dr. Shubal Gardner Coffin

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(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

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 946 times since then and 78 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. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.