With its beautiful scenery and extensive past, North Carolina is home to an amazing variety of abandoned locations, all of which tell a unique tale of a bygone age.
The curious and the daring are drawn to these locations because of their haunting silences and the mysteries hidden behind crumbling buildings. The following five locations provide an insight into the state’s past chapters:
North Wilkesboro Speedway
North Wilkesboro Speedway is a small oval racetrack five miles east of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, on US Route 421. The track features a characteristic downhill front stretch and an uphill backstretch.
Racing events for stock cars and sprint cars are held at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Over the past 40 years, the North Wilkesboro Speedway has played host to multiple NASCAR races, including the series’ inaugural event in the US.
The speedway plans to reopen for a small schedule of non-NASCAR events beginning in the summer, despite not hosting a NASCAR event since 1996.
Henry River Mill Village
Henry River Mill Village is a must-see location while discussing abandoned locations in North Carolina. Early in the 20th century, the Henry River Mill Village had a functioning spindle mill; however, it shuttered in the early 1970s and finally caught fire.
The structures in the deserted mill village are owned by Wade Shepherd, who saved the remains and restored the mill as a museum in 1977.
The mill village, which served as the backdrop for the film, is still in the news. In the future, it will be able to accommodate tourists and feature a restaurant and museum.
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Yates Mills
The oldest structure in Wake County, North Carolina, is the Yates Mill. For nearly 200 years, it was the sole gristmill in the area still in operation, producing grain and lumber.
The mill’s 250-year-old dam broke, but Hurricane Fran’s floodwaters in 1996 spared it. Yates Mills is an abandoned location in North Carolina, but if you’re looking for something different to do for the day, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Yates Mill, which is on a twenty-acre pond’s east bank, is accessible for strolling and fishing. There are educational displays and a picnic space there. In addition to being accessible to the general public, the park hosts volunteer opportunities and unique community activities.
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Endor Iron Furnace
A vast subterranean facility known as the Endor Iron Furnace was originally used to melt and chill pig iron in order to create usable items.
This historic location still has remnants of its industrial past, even after being deserted for many years. Photographing the natural world and fauna is another excellent use of the abandoned location.
It has withstood floods and is still standing tall today. From the Iron Furnace Road, follow a short trail to the Endor Iron Furnace. For urban explorers hoping to feel a sense of the area’s past, it is a well-liked stop.
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Pea Island Life Saving Station
The Pea Island Lifesaving Station has been decommissioned. Although its foundation is still there, it was decommissioned in 1947.
All of the men on the Pea Island Station’s crew were black, and they had received specialized training to help them be trustworthy sailors. Nevertheless, you should spend some time visiting the Cookhouse Museum and learning more about the lifesaving station if you’re a history enthusiast.
This location, which serves as a wonderful memory of the past, is open to visitors today. It’s a useful resource for learning about North Carolina’s abandoned locations as well.
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To Conclude
The deserted sites in North Carolina provide an enthralling window into the state’s lengthy past. Every location has a different narrative to tell, from the booming engines of the North Wilkesboro Speedway to the serene gristmill of Yates Mills.
Explore North Carolina’s abandoned places for an exciting experience, whether you’re an urban explorer, history lover, or just want a little mystery.
Always remember to prioritize your safety and show consideration for the property when you venture into abandoned areas. Thus, venture forth sensibly and discover the intriguing relics of North Carolina’s history.
