First Maiden Flour Mills
Unit Constructed in 1935

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MAIDEN - The horse drawn vehicle was considered modern transportation back in September, 1935, when the first mill of Maiden Flour Mills, Inc., was built here. This plant, which was modern for that era, was operated by G.D. Drum and two employees. This was the beginning of what is now known as Maiden Flour Mills, Inc. - Mooresville Flour Mills, Inc., and Hickory Feed Mills, Inc.

By 1937 Mr. Drum had increased the mill's capacity from 60 sacks to 200. In 1941 he purchased Mocksville Flour Mills, and increased the total overall capacity to 400 sacks.

In 1944 Mr. Drum and sons leased the Hickory Flour Mills and in 1945 purchased the mill with a 200-sack capacity. By 1947 the Maiden Flour Mills' production had increased to 240 sacks, and the Hickory Flour Mills to 360 sacks. In 1952 the grain storage elevators at Newton were completed with a capacity of 65,000 bushels.

Destroyed by Fire

Hickory Flour Mills were destroyed by fire in 1953, and from this Hickory Feed Mills were built, the most modern and up-to-date construction of that year. In 1955 fire destroyed the Maiden Flour Mills and controlling interest of Mooresville Flour Mills was purchased by Mr. Drum. The same year he sold his interest in the Mocksville Feed Mills.

In 1959 Mr. Drum leased Mt. Ulla Flour Mills with a 520-sack capacity. In 1960 the new mill was constructed at Maiden with the very latest equipment in the Southeast, giving the finest in Southern Biscuit Flour and Tenda-Bake Corn Meal, "Air-lifted-Silk-Sifted," untouched by human hands.

Silver Plaque

On May 27, 1961, the employees of Maiden Flour Mills presented Mr. Drum a silver plaque on the 25th anniversary of the mills.

To a large degree the progress for Maiden Flour Mills can be measured by the amount of time and devotion invested by its competent management team composed of Mr. Drum, president; Joe H. Gilley, vice president, Maiden Flour Mills, Inc., and secretary-treasurer, Mooresville Flour MIlls, Inc.; Boyd H. Drum, secretary, Maiden Flour Mills, Inc.; and Fred L. McRee, treasurer, Maiden Flour Mills, and sales manager, Maiden and Mooresville Flour Mills, Inc.

The sales staff includes Hubert Brooks, Bob Collins, Charles Gilley, Arthur Mull, Foy Williams, Lee Allen, George Campbell, Ralph Kincaid and James Osborne.