Daisy Hosiery Mill
Burlington, NC
Burlington, NC
There is no detailed record available, but there undoubtedly were people who came together to see George W.
Anthony, Sr., place the foundation stone for what would be the new home for today’s Daisy Hosiery Mill at
today’s South Church Street and West Fifth. The date was 1896 by most records, though there are some
variations in dates as recorded in clippings and publications, as well as historical reviews.”
The foundation stone, which Mr. Anthony placed in the ground was significant at the time, and it later was to be
recognized as the real beginning of a strong Burlington industry. Hosiery started being manufactured in the
mill, and hosiery has been manufactured in Burlington regularly in the passing years, building to a point that the
area is viewed today as one of the outstanding hosiery centers of the nation. The foundation stone of 1896 will
be pushed aside, as will the building itself to make room for something else yet to be decided. The removal
takes away still another landmark of this general area. Various historical documents are not in agreement on
details, but from what can be learned, Daisy Hosiery Mill was the second hosiery manufacturing operation for
the city and surrounding area. It also holds the distinction of being the first to be successful and to continue
through the years.”
The first operation was started in 1892 when Lafayette Holt, associated with Lafayette Mills, was in Philadelphia
and saw some machines that manufactured men’s hosiery. He brought word back to his associates, and it
was decided that this would become an extension of the textile operation. Hosiery manufacturing was started
within a short time, but lasted for only a year and yielded to the financial panic of 1893. The hosiery mill never
reopened.”
It was in the late 1890s that Mr. Anthony and Mr. Curtis, owners of Rock Creek Manufacturing Co., near
Bellemont, decided that they would start a hosiery plant in Burlington. They located it in the uptown area before
it was moved to the new plant on South Church. The new mill was named for the wife of W.C. Curtis. The
operation continued and in 1906 drew the interest of W.H. May and Ben V. May, brothers who left the family farm
near Alamance Battleground in 1901 and sold fruit trees in Mississippi and other states. They took their profits
and bought a small part of the mill. Mr. Anthony remained with Daisy Hosiery as he also served other business
interests. This led to 1911 when the May brothers became owners of the mill.”
The remainder is a part of better-known history.”
Daisy Hosiery became a foundation for May Hosiery Mills, Inc., which purchased a building on South Main
Street in downtown Burlington in 1917 and started a finishing plant as an extension of its facilities.” 1
May Hosiery, in turn, was merged with McEwen Hosiery, becoming May, McEwen and Kaiser, and then, in 1948,
this operation was merged into Burlington Mills to become today’s Burlington Hosiery. The Burlington Hosiery
Division later moved to new quarters on I-40 at Tucker Street. 2
This building was last used by US Rubber Company before being torn down. 2
Sources:
1. “Building Started Here in 1896: Early Hosiery Operations Cited,” Burlington Times-News, March 15, 1973.
2. Don Bolden, Personal communication, October 2008.
Daisy Hosiery Plant - undated NC Archives
Daisy Plant - demolition 1973 Times-News
The Burlington City Directory for 1909 lists
the officers of the Daisy Hosiery Mill
Courtesy of Peter Metzke
the officers of the Daisy Hosiery Mill
Courtesy of Peter Metzke