Finding Carhartt's hidden ruins
Plus: The news of the week — CMS board approves budget; No fans at Panthers training camp; Library CEO resigns; Airport eyes next building boom; Home sales drop again
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Off the Beaten Path: A hike through the woods turns into a walk through history, uncovering ruins of a long-lost summer estate built by one of America’s original workwear visionaries.
Editor’s note: This occasional series is devoted to discovering the hidden corners and unexpected stories in Charlotte and the surrounding region. Have a suggestion? Contact series editor Doug Miller at coach@millerswimming.com
by Lindsey Banks
Hidden beneath a canopy of trees off the Piedmont Medical Center Trail in Rock Hill — just 20 miles from Charlotte — lie the remains of a once-grand estate: the Carhartt Mansion, built in 1909 by Hamilton Carhartt, founder of one of America’s most iconic workwear brands.
When I think of Carhartt, I picture rugged brown jackets and tough denim overalls. But long before the brand became a 21st-century closet staple, Hamilton Carhartt bought 1,000 acres along the Catawba River to build a summer retreat. The property also included a working plantation that supplied cotton to his nearby textile mill, which produced fabric for the company’s signature bibs.
The ruins — mostly stone pillars and the home’s foundation — are tucked off an unmarked trail in the woods. So, one Sunday afternoon, I did some research and set out to find them myself. Along the way, I learned quite a bit about a man I’d honestly never considered.
Hamilton Carhartt (pictured), the founder of the iconic American workwear brand, built a summer estate in Rock Hill, S.C., in 1909 to be near his cotton mill that produced denim for this company. The house was deconstructed in the 1950s, but some of its features still remain, like stone pillars and the foundation. (Left photo from Carhartt.com; bottom right photo from RootsandRecall.com)
Carhartt wasn’t your typical industrialist — he had a reputation as a benevolent maverick. According to local historian Pat Grant, his Rock Hill operation was more than a workplace; it was a community. Employees had access to night school, childcare, meals, parties and even swimming pools. At a time when worker well-being was often overlooked, Carhartt built a culture as forward-thinking as his overalls.
The Great Depression forced him to sell the estate in the 1920s, and after a few ownership changes, the mansion was dismantled in the 1950s. All that remains today are ruins — but they still hint at Rock Hill’s role in the story of this Detroit-based brand.
As someone who loves period dramas, the idea of exploring 1909 mansion ruins sounded like a perfect Sunday adventure. The site sits just off the scenic, shaded 2.5-mile Piedmont Medical Center Trail near the Riverwalk community. I needed to get in a run anyway, so I laced up my shoes, grabbed my water bottle and set out to find them.
I’ll admit, I didn’t expect much. But hiking through the woods like a scavenger hunt and picturing what the estate looked like a century ago was surprisingly cathartic. It made me think about how the things we build — literally or metaphorically — can leave a mark long after we’re gone. Will someone one day wander through the ruins of my house in 2125?
Finding the site takes a little effort, so I’ve put together some directions in case you want to check it out. If you're up for a scenic nature walk with a side of history, this hike is well worth it.
How to get to the mansion ruins: It’s going to be about a 2.75-mile round-trip excursion, so plan accordingly. Most of the walking will be done on a paved trail, but you will have to venture off-trail for about a quarter of a mile. It’s not super steep, but it’s not flat either. The trail is dirt and has roots, so make sure to wear appropriate shoes.
Plug the Pump House restaurant into your GPS. (575 Herrons Ferry Road, Rock Hill, S.C. 29730)
Park anywhere in the Riverwalk area. (I parked in the gravel lot near the Pump House.)
Make your way to the beginning of the Piedmont Medical Center Trail. (It’s marked, across from the Dog Bites Munchery & More pet store.)
Walk the paved trail for about 1.25 miles. It’s a fairly easy trek, but expect a few rolling hills. You’ll pass the historic marker sign for the mansion ruins at about the halfway point to the actual ruins. You’ll also pass some old steps that lead up to the ruins on your right that are no longer usable. When you see these, that means you’re almost there!
Once you hit the 1.25-mile mark (a small sign on the right side of the path), take a few more steps until you see the “Mountain Bike Trail” sign. Take that grassy path.
Keep walking a couple dozen yards until you see two concrete sewer structures on your left. That will be your sign that it’s time to hike up off the main trail.
The dirt trail to the mansion ruins will be on your right. It’s not marked, unfortunately, but you can see the ruins of the guest house through the trees. Once you find evidence of the unofficial trailhead, you’ll generally want to hike straight up. (Tip: I picked up a stick to whack down any spider webs as I walked.)
You’ll first come across the ruins of the guest house on your left (pictured left below).
Keep walking right and follow the trail to the Carhartt Mansion ruins. You’ll see some stone steps and structures, like stone pillars and the foundation of the house (pictured right above).
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! Take as many photos as you want, but try to stay away from climbing anything for your own safety — and to preserve the ruins. Bonus points if you’re wearing Carhartt clothing.
Lindsey Banks is a staff reporter for The Ledger: lindsey@cltledger.com
Today’s supporting sponsor is Arts+. Drop off your kids at the Arts+ Community Campus in Plaza Midwood on Friday, May 9 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., and enjoy your date night!
This week in Charlotte: Bokhari sworn in to federal post; More N.C. jobs; New Publix coming to east Charlotte; Baby chicks in demand; Crypto company plans 130 jobs
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
CMS budget approved: (WFAE) The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education voted 5-3 to approve the school district’s $2.1B budget that includes an average 5% raise for teachers, but some board members said the raise was too meager.
Politics
State election board control: (WRAL) A three‑judge panel ruled Wednesday that the GOP‑led legislature’s bid to shift state board of elections appointments from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein to Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek violates the state constitution.
Bokhari sworn in: (WSOC) Former Charlotte City Councilman Tariq Bokhari was sworn in Monday as deputy administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, making him the agency’s second-in-command.
Local news
Library CEO resigns: Marcellus Turner has resigned as CEO of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library system for family reasons, according to an announcement Thursday from the library board of trustees. Turner’s last day is May 2, after which the library’s chief financial and administrative officer Angela Myers will serve as interim CEO.
New Publix in east Charlotte: (WSOC) Publix will open a new grocery store on May 28 in the Clear Creek Crossing development on Albemarle Road near I-485.
Home sales drop again: The number of home sales in Mecklenburg County dropped 6% in March compared with a year earlier, the second straight month of declines, according to Canopy Realtor Association. The median sales price rose 8%, to $463,000.
Business
Crypto company hiring: Cryptocurrency platform Coinbase plans to open a Charlotte office and hire 130 local workers in compliance and customer service over the next six months. (Axios Charlotte)
N.C. job growth: (N.C. Tribune) North Carolina added 64,400 jobs in the last year, an increase of 1.3%, led by growth in education and health services (21,200 jobs), government (16,100 jobs) and professional and business services (13,000 jobs), according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
Sports
Panthers’ pick in first round of NFL draft: The Panthers selected Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 pick, adding a 6-foot-4, 219-pound target known for his impressive performance over three years at Arizona.
No fans at Panthers training camp: The Carolina Panthers announced that the team’s training camp will be closed to fans in 2025 and 2026 due to ongoing construction at its new practice facility uptown, pausing a summer tradition for many fans.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Monday
Checking in on Charlotte’s economy: An economic slowdown may be looming, but Charlotte’s strong job growth and appeal to businesses and young workers could help it weather a potential recession better than most cities. You can listen to the full conversation on Charlotte’s economy on the latest episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast.
Plus: Looking back at Bokhari's tenure; Tax deadline extended to September; American to offer free wifi
Wednesday (🔒)
From clogged gutters, a tech idea takes root: StreetFair, a Charlotte-based startup, helps neighbors share and book trusted home service providers together, offering group discounts and streamlining the process, after its founder spotted the inefficiencies of multiple companies doing the same work on one street.
Plus: Runner conquers Boston Marathon and MS; Bokhari sworn in for transit post
Friday (🔒)
Early birds get the coveted chicks: Renfrow Hardware’s “Chick Days” this spring drew bigger crowds than ever as a national chick shortage met Charlotte’s growing backyard chicken craze.
Plus: County fees could rise for parks and stormwater; UNC expulsion lawsuit to proceed
Ways of Life (🔒)
A woman who put her heart into every endeavor: Sylvia Pigg, a fiercely loving mother and determined entrepreneur, left behind a legacy of strength, style and devotion to family after nearly 87 years.
Transit Time
CLT airport's next building boom: Charlotte Douglas International Airport is negotiating a new lease with airlines that will shape its next wave of construction, following a decade of major expansions including a new runway, revamped terminals and possible future projects like additional concourses, a second security entrance and even a midfield terminal.
Fútbol Friday
A son's leap of faith changed Charlotte FC: Coach Dean Smith’s journey from the English Premier League to leading Charlotte FC to the top of the Eastern Conference began with his son Jamie’s move to a small college in South Carolina — a leap that ultimately brought the entire Smith family to the Carolinas.
Toppman on the Arts
‘Kimberly Akimbo’ – a musical for all agers: Arts critic Lawrence Toppman reviews “Kimberly Akimbo,” noting that it blends humor and heartbreak in a moving musical about a teenager facing a rare illness and longing to be truly seen.
A comedy about depression at Theatre Charlotte: Toppman also reviews “Every Brilliant Thing,” a funny, moving one-woman show about finding hope and humor amid depression, anchored by a heartfelt performance and real audience connection, he writes.
Real Estate Whispers
Mixed views on Charlotte's office market: In this edition, three new reports shed light on Charlotte’s office market; data shows property values in uptown are continuing to rise; an economist weighs in on Charlotte’s overbuilt apartments and warehouses; and a wrap-up of other local growth and development news.
📅Join us May 8 as we celebrate some of the city’s most remarkable unsung heroes at The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Awards!
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