The 40'X 65' 2.5 story frame mill, on a deep concrete lower story, was built in 1913 by John Murray to replace an earlier mill built by his father, William Murray. The original mill was built a short distance upstream from the present, in 1873 by Wike and McNeil.

John's brother originally had equal ownership with John in the 1883 mill from 1906, but sold a controlling interest to John in 1907. The general store was built on the site of the present mill by William Murray.

The view from across the dammed millpond to the mill and the 28' metal overshot wheel. At some time Murray purchased the original mill, upstream, and changed the name to Murray's Mill in 1893.

The mill was remodeled in 1918 after a flood damaged some sections of the mill.

The original turbine was replaced by a 22' overshot Wheel and later in 1938, Lloyd raised the dam 6' in height, necessitating the wheel be changed out for a 28' waterwheel.

A vintage photo of the mill, note the shed built over the wheel for weather protection. The mill wheel was originally positioned with the axle about the rear edge of the mill. After the remodel in 1918, the wheel lost its protective roof and was positioned with the axle under the rear window.

In 1938, John retired and turned the mill over to Lloyd Murray, who ran the mill until it closed in 1967.

The mill sat idle until 1980; when, it was purchased by Catawba County Historical Association. This aerial photo shows the placement of the mill, store, bypassed complex area, and the extent of the mill pond.

A five pound flour sack for Snow Drift water-ground, bolted meal from selected native white corn, processed at Murray's Flour Mill, Catawba, N. C.

Check the website for more information about the workings of the mill, the 1890's Murray & Minges Store, the 1880 Wheathouse, and the 1913 John Murrey House, all of which are located within the mill complex.

In 1911 the store, originally where the current mill is located, was moved across the street, by rolling it on logs, to its present location. A new "front" had to be built onto the store, since the original front now became the back of the building.

In 1985, the mill is restored to working order and by 2008, the mill is quite able to grind wheat and corn by water power for demonstrations.