Preserve the Historic High Falls Dam in Moore County, NC

    The community of High Falls originally bore the names "The Great Falls" or "The Big Falls," paying homage to a 15-foot waterfall in the Deep River at the location. In 1780, William England established a grist mill at this site. In 1904, Thomas Woody constructed a spinning mill, a cotton mill, and a grist mill, uniting them under the banner of the High Falls Manufacturing Company. During the late 19th century, a small single-room school was erected for the community, eventually replaced by a larger structure. In that same era, the High Falls Dam was constructed on the Deep River, serving as a vital resource.

    In the 1920s, the dam was modified to generate hydroelectricity for Hydrodyne Industries. Unfortunately, following the record-breaking floods caused by Hurricane Florence in 2018, the hydroelectric plant became inoperable and is now defunct. The dam stands as a symbol of High Falls' history and significance, a reminder of its foundational elements.

    Recently, "Unique Places To Save," an organization, purchased the dam for over $400,000, despite the property's valuation. They obtained grants from the government, purportedly to demolish the dam and address environmental concerns, such as the endangered Cape Fear shiner. 

    A meeting occurred at Tabernacle United Methodist Church on Wednesday, October 11th, attended by about 85 community members, many of whom were not invited or informed. The Moore County Commissioner affirmed that Unique Places to save faces opposition and is not guaranteed success in their plans. This is far from a finalized arrangement; Unique Places to save would have proceeded already if it were. They proposed leaving the property to the community as public access, expecting taxpayers to maintain it, and if the county declines, the future of High Falls could resemble Carbonton downstream, a distressed area plagued by issues.

    We, the High Falls community, refuse to let our beloved High Falls decline into such a state. We are actively seeking solutions to protect and preserve the High Falls Dam, including proposing it as a historic site. It's crucial that we unite to safeguard what makes High Falls the cherished place it is today. We appreciate the support we've received thus far, and we're committed to preserving the essence of High Falls. God Bless High Falls!