CityViewNC.com | 35
Local paddle boarders visited Hope Mills Lake to cool down as the temperature
approached 100 degrees on a recent afternoon. Photos by Tony Wooten
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He was absolutely right.
Hope Mills has always been known
for its centerpiece lake. e community
was founded as a textile mill village, and
water from the lake powered the first mill
known as Rockfish Factory. e water was
channeled from the lake through a flume to
a turbine to provide power to the mill.
Later, the lake water also would be used to
power other mills in the community.
Without doubt, Hope Mills Lake
represents the resilience of a strong
community.
On Memorial Day 2003, the community
lost its iconic lake when its earthen dam
gave way following a torrential rainfall. e
community rallied together, and a concrete
dam was built and the lake was restored. e
community held a huge celebration.
Sadly, the new dam breached again a year
and a half later. Aer a lengthy court battle, a
settlement was reached with the engineering
and construction companies that built the
dam. e town received enough money to
replace the dam, and the treasured lake was
again restored. And the community once
again celebrated.
