CAT FORESTRY EQUIPMENT

nrhp # 83003995-
Located on Main Street next door to St.Mark's Lutheran Church, the business began in 1883 when China Grove was a center for cotton and chicken farming. A molasses mill was originally built, soon followed by a grist mill, a sawmill, and a cotton gin. In 1894, the business was incorporated, and in 1903, the three story brick building that now stands proudly on North Main Street was constructed. The building was designed by Corriher and Lipe, Millrights.
The main walls of the structure are 22 inches thick. Bricks were made locally from Grant's Creek. Twice the amount of mortar was used to construct the building than would be used if it were to be built today.
Around 1945, the small, stand-alone, brick office was built in front of the mill. Whit Cooper, who was president at the time had asthma and the grain dust prevented him from working inside the mill.

A fire in 1974 destroyed the rear wooden section of the building which had been added to the original structure.

The fire, started by a vagrant smoking a cigarette behind the mill, destroyed 33,100 bushels of grain that were being stored. In 1980 a smaller fire caused damage to doors, windows and supplies. However, no major damage was done to the mill equipment or the original structure from either fire.

rutherford county farm museum in existence since 1993. Artifacts from the old south. Has its own Textile room dedicated to the preservation of textile equipment used in local mills. Also has its popular Farm rooms showing what life was like in the 1800's for area farmers. From household items to tractors and horse drawn plows. Horse drawn carriages, early model automobile, products used by slaves & much much more.