Ledbetter Mill Richmond County, N.C. n January 1881, Thomas Benson Ledbetter purchased 100 acres at a public auction and with his nephew, John Steel Ledbetter, as a partner, built South Union Mills on Hitchcock Creek in Rockingham, Richmond County. It was in operation until 1894 when the mill burned due to a lightning strike. They rebuilt the mill and changed the name to Ledbetter Manufacturing Company. The company manufactured cotton yarn, operating completely on water power, until World War II. Then a diesel generator was used to supplement the water power until 1950 when the mill was converted to electrical power. A manufacturing journal reported in 1962 that the mill produced 2,555,000 pounds of yarn. Through the years many of the mill workers were third and fourth generation employees. Some worked past their 80s, which indicates the respect the workers held for the Ledbetter family and their business associates who managed the mill.
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By Kay Fetner | Photography by Ashley Fetner In 1979 the mill was sold to Glen Raven Mills, which operated until 1990 when Parsons Formal Chair Manufacturing purchased the property. When Parsons Manufacturing relocated, W.T. “Pete” Ussery purchased the property. A veteran of 35 years in the construction business, Pete took this historic landmark with its huge exposed beams, columns, large windows and 20-inch exterior walls of handmade brick and renovated it into today’s upscale Carolyn’s Mill Condominiums. The Ledbetter family settled in this area in the early 1700s. The preservation of this mill will stand as a reminder of their involvement, service and contributions to their community. Ashley Fetner, a member of Randolph EMC who lives in Asheboro, captured this image early one morning on the way to visit his dad in Hamlet, Anson County. Copies are available through afetnerportraits@triad.rr.com
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