Hooker Falls: The Site of Two Mills

Moore Mill, the first mill near what would later be named Hooker Falls

Hooker Falls is a well-loved recreation destination in DuPont State Forest. During the early settlement of what is now Transylvania County, it was seen as a more functional location. Though the original ownership date is not known, the first recorded owner of Hooker Falls was Clinton Moore and his wife Sallie, who owned property on Steel’s Creek, Little River, James Johnston Creek, Green River, and Crab Creek. Moore operated a grist mill known as Moore Mill at what is now called Hooker Falls for many years. In 1870, his son William purchased the property and continued to operate the mill. The deed stipulated that Clinton Moore and his wife Sallie would still be allowed to use the mill after the land sale. 

Postcard showing Hooker Mill, the second mill built near Hooker Falls

In 1882 all the property surrounding the mill was sold to John W. Hooker and his brothers Spencer and Edmund by William Moore and his wife Sarah. John was the only one of the three brothers to stay in the area; Edmund and Spencer moved to South Carolina. John Hooker built a cabin on the property as well as a second mill on the opposite side of the river, known as Hooker Mill. Reports claim that the cabin remained intact until the early 1940s, though the original location is unknown. 

Hooker sold the land where Hooker Falls is located to Tench Coxe in 1910. The sale included the mill and all its fixtures. Coxe also owned land in the area that was dubbed Buck Forest. In 1956 Coxe sold much of his land, including the piece that included Hooker Falls and the two mills, to the DuPont corporation. It is said that the millstones remained for many years, only being removed in the early 1970s.  Hooker Falls remained the property of DuPont until 1997 when it was sold to the state and became part of the DuPont State Forest. 

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. This article was written by Local History Librarian Laura Gardner. For more information, comments, or suggestions, contact NC Room staff at ncroom@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.