Saxapahaw

Overlooking the Haw River twenty miles west of Chapel Hill, Saxapahaw is a fascinating historic mill town named after the Sissipahaw Indians. Officially founded in 1844 by a Quaker settler named John Newlin, the original small cotton mill eventually expanded into a huge brick structure and operated successfully for 150 years, until a tornado damaged the property in 1994 and the textile industry moved overseas.

Thankfully, in 2006, the mill was renovated for residential use, a brewery opened, and the Haw River Ballroom began hosting bands and drawing crowds on the weekends. Saturdays in Saxapahaw have become a local tradition and sometimes residents from Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Greensboro drive over to shop at the farmers market, eat lunch at the General Store, or attend a concert in the evening. You might be surprised by the famous musicians who’ve played in Saxapahaw… and now actually know how to pronounce it’s name.

I recently hiked the trails at the Saxapahaw Island Park with my camera. The river was quiet and the reflections of the trees from the early evening sun created interesting compositions in the water. Spring was still a few weeks away, but I suspect with warmer weather and a few inevitable North Carolina thunder storms, the river and town will become more active once again.