Wafco Mills
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Why it's listed
Wafco Mills is an industrial complex at 801 McGee Street in Greensboro, set in a quiet residential area beside a railroad track and a small creek. It consists of three adjoining buildings: a four-story frame mill from 1893, a brick addition from 1907 and a larger brick building from 1912, plus a 1904 office wing and a brick engine room. Inside, much of the original flour-making machinery, grain bins and elevators remains in place. The mill was established by North, Watson, and Company, a firm that built textile mills, and it became the first roller mill in Greensboro. The Watson family ran it for almost eighty years, later adding feed production and adopting the Wafco name in 1943. Output tripled by 1917 after expansion. The mill closed in 1972, and the city bought it in 1978. It was recognized as a well-preserved example of early industrial construction and local milling history, and for its ties to the Watson family.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the mill is a well-preserved example of late nineteenth and early twentieth century frame and brick industrial construction, with most of its milling machinery still in place. It was the first roller mill in Greensboro and is tied to the Watson family, who introduced the roller process to the city. It is also noted as a work of North, Watson, and Company, who were mill builders.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79001716, listed May 30, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 801 McGee St., Greensboro |
|---|---|
| County | Guilford County |
| Listed | May 30, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001716 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1893, 1907, 1912 (specific dates given) |
| Architect / builder | North, Watson, and Company |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Mill closed in 1972; sold to the City of Greensboro in 1978 and listed as vacant, with its future uncertain pending proposals for adaptive reuse, mainly housing. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | College Hill Historic District |
| Coordinates | 36.06888, -79.79869 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79001716.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q21016312
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.