CANTON, N.C. — The Canton paper mill has blown its last whistle, leaving some members of the community nostalgic and worried about what the future could bring.

What You Need To Know

  • Community members from across the western North Carolina mountain region gathered to listen to the Canton paper mill’s last whistle
  • Machine use and production is winding down
  • The first day of layoffs will be on June 9

“We were all trying to get prepared for this day and now it’s here,” said George Stevens, whose family worked at the mill.

“The heartbreak of the community,” resident Betsy Freeman said. “This has been an icon of the community.”  

The paper mill whistle has guided daily routines throughout Canton’s past and present. The future looks different now, as they say farewell to the familiar sound. 

“When it blows, it shakes our house, so it kinda gives me a little jolt in the mornings,” Jacob Stephenson said. His family worked at the mill.

RELATED: The last sound of the paper mill whistle approaches in Canton

Stephenson grew accustomed to hearing mill sounds every day as he grew up.

“It’s something that not a lot of towns have and it’s extremely special,” Stephenson said. 

While he has goals of becoming an Elvis tribute artist himself, the mill will always remain a part of him through his family. 

“It’s just mixed emotions because it’s something I’ve known my whole life,” Stephenson said. “My great grandfather worked in the mill, my grandfather worked in the mill, most of my family worked, has worked in the mill. It’s just a thing. It’s gonna be different.”  

George Stevens also has family ties to the mill. Not only did his grandfather work there, but his son too. 

“Putting it in my son and his fiancé’s perspective, ‘Dad, what am I gonna do? How am I gonna replace money like this? How am I gonna replace insurance?’” Stevens reflected. 

Betsy Freeman has worked with those insured by the mill for years.

“People that I'm dealing with now, their main concern is that they’re in their 50s, early 60s, they’re too young to just sit at home and financially they need jobs,” Freeman said. “That’s the most critical time, where they may have critical conditions that prevent them from doing other jobs.”

The first day of layoffs will be June 9. Some machines within the plant have already started to wind down on production. 

“It’s been a shock to the whole community and all of the workers,” Freeman said.