How Maiden Got Its Name

At the very first. Maiden was a small group of families associated with a forge. Historians agree that in 1804 an iron industry was established about a mile or more east of the present business section of Maiden known as the Jenny Lind Forge. Some think that it was unofficially dubbed the Maiden Creek Forge. Incidentally, historians point out that it provided some of the best iron in the War of 1812.

How did the word Maiden get into the town name? Assuming that the forge did take the name of Maiden by popular use, this could be explained by its location on Maiden Creek, but where the creek got its name is more difficult question to answer. Some county historians, including the late J. Yates Killian, claim the name came from the spring giving rise to the creek and that it was called Maiden Spring because it was on the farm of three maidens. Other county historians, including the late Dr. J. E. Hodges who lived in Maiden says the creek took its name from the Maiden cane which grew profusely along its banks and in some spots is still abundant. John Carpenter, whose ancestors migrated to this secion in early days, points out that the creek is very similar to the one in Pennsylvania by the name of Maiden Creek, and he entertains the possibility that the creek took its name because of this similarity.

At first the forge was operated largely by slaves, There is a persistent story that eventually others coming to work at the forge, built homes nearby and that this group of homes became the original village now know as Maiden. This may be nothing more than a village fable, but it is a matter of record that the town took her name by reason of another industry.

In about 1880 a cotton mill was set up in the heart of Maiden near the railroad. There of course was already the village and in 1883 this place was incorporated by the name of Maiden because there was a post office receiving mail addressed to Maiden Creek. The Mill too took the name of Maiden Cotton Mills, later know as the Old Mill when Providence Mill was established on the site of the Old Forge, or near there. The second Cotton Mill, incidentally, got her name from Providence, Rhode Island, where the machinery was bought. Until other Baptist Churches were established here, our church was known as Maiden Baptist Church, Shortly after East Maiden Church was organized, it became First Baptist Church of Maiden.

Article taken from the book -
Maiden FootPrints in Baptist Sands
Written by:
Rev. Alvin A. Walker

Donated for use by
Mary Rink Harbinson

Copyright 2003 by Robin Barger or contributors as shown.
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