A tribe, a mill, a village, and a purpose.

We wish to begin at the beginning but cannot because most of our current circulated and known history of Saxapahaw starts with colonial settler documents. It is however well known that the Sissipahaw tribe, a robust and healthy (likely Siouan) tribe lived and cared for this land for many years before it was first documented and settled upon by European immigrants. The Sissipahaw population quickly declined, fled, and relocated without much known reason or understanding.

After his 1701 journey through North Carolina, John Lawson, one of the first Europeans to acknowledge the Sissipahaw and to write about the countryside around Saxapahaw, described it as " the flower of Carolina" and looking at the river bank declared, "No man that will be content within the Bounds of reason, can have any reason to dislike it."

The river that had drawn the Sissipahaw Indians and other native tribes to the area soon attracted new immigrants and new technology in the form of gristmills.  In 1829, John Newlin, a Quaker from Snow Camp and a member of the Manumission Society of NC, purchased one of these gristmills and an adjoining 150 acres.

Newlin and his sons, started construction of a cotton mill in 1844 and opened the Saxapahaw Cotton Factory in 1848 using water from the Haw river to drive the machinery.  Prior to the construction of the mill, Newlin inherited 25-40 enslaved people from Sarah Foust Freeman with the shared plan to free them. During a 12 year legal battle where Freeman’s family challenged the will, the previously enslaved people (and families) aided in the construction of the mill by digging the millrace in the river. And once the NC Supreme Court determined the legalities of the will, they were able to be freed by John Newlin, and in 1850 relocated to new homes in Ohio, a free state.

The cotton mill went through numerous expansions and owners, including Alamance County industrialist Edwin M. Holt and U.S. Senator for North Carolina B. Everett Jordon.  Saxapahaw grew heartily along with the mill.

Waterpower became hydroelectric power in 1938 when Sellers Manufacturing built a new dam over an existing dam and added a power plant, and original structures were replaced with the brick buildings which are still on site today.

While still an unincorporated village, Saxapahaw continues to thrive with the revitalization of the mill buildings and mill houses to beautiful homes and vibrant businesses.  The historic village works to protect the river and surroundings with a focus on local and sustainable practices and a strong engaged community.

 

Village Amenities

  • Farm-to-table restaurants

  • Miles of walking/hiking trails

  • Live music and arts

  • Local grocery

  • Charter School

  • Community-focus events

  • Neighboring farms

  • River activity

  • Fitness center

  • Community churches

  • Volunteer opportunities

Events

Saturdays in Saxapahaw
Market and Music Series - every Saturday evening 5-8pm from May-August

Haw River Festival
Celebrate the Haw River the first Saturday in May 3-8pm

Oktoberfest
A great celebratory event mid-October with our very own Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Wednesday Jazz
The Eddy Pub hosts live Jazz and half-priced bottles of wine every Tuesday making for a great locals night

Holiday Market
Shop the Holiday Market in the Haw River Ballroom the first weekend in December and pick up Saxapahaw-made creations

Trailathlon
Haw River Canoe and Kayak hosts a paddle, bike, run event the first weekend in November