Modern living and weekly pay brought farmers to the South Yadkin River banks to build a new cotton mill and town. The farmers brought their country ways: big families, faith in God, neighborly obligation, and self-reliance. Town population rose to nearly 3,000 with a workforce of almost 1,400. Erwin Mills ranked as Davie County's largest payroll and taxpayer. The mill closed in 1969, but the town lived on. (Courtesy of Textile Heritage Center at Cooleemee.)