Erwin Mills, Inc. - Specimen Stock Certificate

Stock printed by American Bank Note Company. Erwin Mill was a textile manufacturing facility located in Durham, North Carolina, operating from 1893 until 1986. Inspired by the success of other cotton mills in the Northeast and within Durham, entrepreneur Benjamin N. Duke established the mill in 1892 and appointed William H. Erwin as its manager. The mill thrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to the outstanding management strategies employed by Erwin and his successors, even in the face of challenges such as the Great Depression and the unionization of its workforce. Rapid growth characterized the mill during this period, positioning it as one of the largest cotton mills in North Carolina. Initially, it specialized in producing muslin pouches for the tobacco industry, but it later diversified its output to include various fabrics, ultimately becoming one of the world's leading denim manufacturers in the early 1900s. Employees at the mill benefited from some of the most favorable working conditions and competitive wages among textile factories in the southern United States. Furthermore, workers later entered into labor agreements that were considered progressive for the southern textile sector during the early to mid-20th century. The development of homes, businesses, and recreational facilities within the mill village significantly contributed to the growth of West Durham, particularly the Ninth Street business district and the Old West Durham Neighborhood. Erwin Mill No. 1 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the mill village of West Durham is recognized as a National Historic District. The original site is also commemorated by an apartment complex, an office building, and a shopping center that share the mill's name.