Deep River Attractions

After you have worked up an appetite on the Deep River Rail Trail, head back in town to the Franklinville Restaurant for a family dining experience. Their hot dogs, hamburgers, chili and fries are made to order and the prices are just right! If it’s nice outside, you can get your lunch to go and enjoy it in the Otus Thomas Memorial Park!

Franklinville is a true North Carolina Mill Village whose roots go back to the beginning of the textile manufacturing in the south. The city blossomed with the opening of the Franklinsville Manufacturing Company in 1838, which was the first corporation ever to conduct business in Randolph County. In its glory days, the company was an impressive water powered cotton mill that produced goods like cotton feed bags and eventually printed flannel.

Unfortunately the Franklinsville Manufacturing Company closed when the Randolph Mill Company went bankrupt and was then destroyed by a fire a few years ago. The remains of the building, which is now a Historic Landmark of Franklinville, can be viewed from the outside. Please keep in mind the building is privately owned and not open to the public.  

If you would like to read more about the interesting story of Franklinville and its significance in the history of the Southern textile mills please visit Mac Whatley’s blog. There, you can also make a donation to support efforts toward the restoration of the factory and creation of the Franklinville Mill Museum.

If you have some extra time and want to stay in the area, head ten mile west on US-64 and check out the town of Asheboro. There are many hotels in the area conveniently located close to the:

• NC Zoo

• The Richard Petty Museum

• Seagrove