RANDLEMAN, N.C. — Randolph County fire crews responded to a structure fire on Russell Walker Avenue January 20th.
Around 4 p.m. the old Worthville Cotton Mill in Randleman caught fire, according to the Randolph County Fire Marshal's Office.
Firefighters said the three story 150,000 square foot mill is destroyed. The mill was built in 1880, and has not been operational in years.
The next day, family of the owner came to see what's left of the historic site.
Lilias Przybylowski said the mill was more then an abandoned building. It was her childhood playground and her family owned it for nearly three decades.
"It was a family project, a generational family project," Przybylowski said, "So many different people in our family who helped my dad with his projects and my grandpa with his projects."
For three generations she said it was a part of a beautiful childhood memory Przybylowski holds close to her heart.
"There were huge spools of fabric on shelves that we kind of stacked up into caves," she recalled, "We used to play in them and hang out."
The City of Randleman's Fire Marshall said the fire is now 100% contained. Currently, there is limited access to the site due to smoldering. Firefighters said the area has to cool down before they can investigate what's left of the three story mill.
All hope isn't lost for the community. The City of Randleman's Mayor Gary Betts said the area surrounding Worthville Mill is scheduled for beautification in the Spring.
"It's not much we can do for the building but we do have a lot of future plans for the Riverwalk," Mayor Betts said, "It will be continued through the Worthville beach area by the mill it will still be a remembrance in the Riverwalk."
He said during this time, community support is key.
"I can't imagine some the pain you're feeling," Betts said. "I think that being a resident of Randleman, and in the community of Worthville that you're strong people...we will get through this."
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
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