Eno River Mills Signs Initiative

Throughout the 18th, 19th, and early 20th century the Eno River was a source of power for local industry. More than thirty grist and lumber mills were constructed on the river during this time period, and helped to sustain human development in the area for generations. By the early 1900s modern technology made the water powered mills obsolete; the last mill on the Eno closed in the 1940s. Many of the mills have been destroyed by the flooding that frequents the area so that only the stone foundations of most mills remain. Of the original 30 mills on the Eno, the ruins of 10 can be found inside of Eno River State Park; 8 of which are accessible by trail. The purpose of this project is to place interpretive signs at 3 of the mill ruins sites within the park as to educate the public about these historic sites.

The project has been approved by the state. Designs have been drawn up for the signs. All that is needed now is the funding to purchase these signs. Once this is completed they will be installed as part of a Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail workday at Eno River.
Above: Draft of Few's Mill Interpritive Sign Content

Above: Blueprints for the Eno River Signs. Due to security risk, two of the signs will be fitted with concrete; the remaining sign fill be secured with crush and run gravel and soil to minimize environmental impact.