Transforming the South Fork of the Catawba River and its towns
Cramerton has turned to the South Fork of the Catawba River, which once powered mills and was known as a hotbed of pollution, to help power the town’s revival in the wake of the textile industry.
Cramerton takes pride in its history of producing “Army khaki” for U.S. military uniforms during World War II. Photo: Nancy Pierce. The Mays and Mayflower mills in Cramerton, both of which closed in the 1970s. One was subsequently demolished, the other destroyed by fire. In this photo, the South Fork of the Catawba River has been diverted to form a wide pool to serve the mills’ dyeing and finishing operations. Waste dumped in the water gave it the nickname “Rainbow River” for decades. To the left of the train tracks, a dormitory for single, male mill workers is visible; above those, mill houses can be seen. Photo courtesy the Millican PKayakers paddling on the South Fork as seen from the Goat Island bridge. The South Fork was once so polluted it was called the Rainbow River. Photo: Nancy PierceThe pedestrian bridge to Goat Island, developed by the town of Cramerton. Photo: Nancy PierceA playground on Goat Island. Photo: Nancy PierceThe most popular gathering spot in Cramerton: Floyd & Blackies, serving coffee, ice cream, smoothies. They also rent kayaks and have an informal landing behind the store. Photo: Nancy PierceDevelopment at South Fork Village, near the river in Cramerton. Photo: Nancy Pierce.Floyd & Blackie’s and the Floating Goat Canoe & Kayak Rental owner Greg Ramsey, in Cramerton. Photo: Nancy Pierce.Paddlers on the South Fork at the Norfolk Southern Railroad trestle in Cramerton. Photo: Nancy Pierce.Storefronts in downtown Cramerton, where restaurants and shops have opened in recent years. Photo: Nancy Pierce. A public boat launch for paddlers in Cramerton. Photo: Nancy PierceThe pedestrian bridge from downtown Cramerton to the 30-acre park on Goat Island. Photo: Nancy PierceA Cramerton war memorial that also pays tribute to the town’s heritage as a center of “Army khaki” production for uniforms. Photo: Nancy Pierce.
