History

The founding of the Dicks Grist Mill in 1800 was the beginning of the history of Randleman, N.C. It has been said that Peter Dicks laid the cornerstone for the City of Randleman.

By 1848 more settlers had come, and Union Factory was built, causing the community to change its name to Union. During this informative period two men were outstanding in development of the Community John Banner Randleman, and John H. Ferree. These two men had purchased the Union Factory, and changed it to Randleman Manufacturing Company, and were instrumental in starting the Naomi Mills.

In 1880 the General Assembly at Raleigh granted paper of incorporation to the City of Randleman, named for John Banner Randleman. When the town of Randleman Mills was created and incorporated a town. John H. Ferree, James E. Walker, James O. Pickard, Romulus R. Ross, Addison W. Vickery, created a body politic under the style of Commissioners of the Town of Randleman Mills.

The small town thrived, and by 1890 was the largest town in Randolph County. The coming of the High Point, Randleman, Asheboro, and Southern Railroad in 1889 had greatly facilitated the growth, because roads were not good, and the railroad assured the town of quicker handling of freight. During this time three more mills came into being Randleman Hosiery Mills, Plaidville Mills, and Marie Antoinette, Randleman Hosiery was the first hosiery mill in Randolph County.

The High Point, Randleman, Asheboro, and Southern Railroad was completed in July 1889. In its early days the influence of this railroad played an important part in the development of Randleman, and other sections of Randolph County.