Louise Cotton Mill,
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte, NC
Not one of the earliest cotton mills in Charlotte, the Louise Cotton Mill opened on May 31, 1897. Named for the
wife of the president of the firm, H. S. Chadwick, the plant contained 7000 spindles and 368 looms. A two-story
building 90 feet wide and 360 feet long, the Louise Mill was located on the Seaboard Airline Railroad just east of
Charlotte. In 1900 a major addition was constructed, increasing the capacity to 20,000 spindles. A substantial
portion of the Louise Mill survives. 1 In 1904 The Louise Mills were running 152 Draper Looms, by 1914 the
name was not included as a customer. 3
Sources: 1. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission 1997
www.cmhpf.org/surveytextilesurvey.htm Accessed Sept. 7, 2009
2. Peter Metzke Draper Customer records, Sept. 2009
3. Bill Wornall, NC Textile Mill Postcard Collection. Sept. 2009
Page Copyright Gary N. Mock 2009
wife of the president of the firm, H. S. Chadwick, the plant contained 7000 spindles and 368 looms. A two-story
building 90 feet wide and 360 feet long, the Louise Mill was located on the Seaboard Airline Railroad just east of
Charlotte. In 1900 a major addition was constructed, increasing the capacity to 20,000 spindles. A substantial
portion of the Louise Mill survives. 1 In 1904 The Louise Mills were running 152 Draper Looms, by 1914 the
name was not included as a customer. 3
Sources: 1. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission 1997
www.cmhpf.org/surveytextilesurvey.htm Accessed Sept. 7, 2009
2. Peter Metzke Draper Customer records, Sept. 2009
3. Bill Wornall, NC Textile Mill Postcard Collection. Sept. 2009
Page Copyright Gary N. Mock 2009
These post cards date back to the turn of the 20th century. The earliest black and white cards allowed
the sender to use the back side only for the address. Card number 2 in the upper right corner has this
message "Kate Mc and Dr. Evans were married today at 130 pm. What do you think about that?"
signed "Hedgey" and dated 3/4/07. The card was postmarked in High Point the next day. The
surrounding mill community is seen on card 4. Postcards courtesy of Bill Wornall.3
the sender to use the back side only for the address. Card number 2 in the upper right corner has this
message "Kate Mc and Dr. Evans were married today at 130 pm. What do you think about that?"
signed "Hedgey" and dated 3/4/07. The card was postmarked in High Point the next day. The
surrounding mill community is seen on card 4. Postcards courtesy of Bill Wornall.3