North Carolina State University. Special Collections Research Center.

Kannapolis, North Carolina, was once home to Cannon Mills, at one time the largest manufacturer of sheets and towels in the world. James William Cannon founded Cannon mills in 1906; his son expanded the company between 1920 and 1970. In 1982, the Pacific Holding Company, owned by David Murdock, purchased Cannon Mills. In 1984, the citizens of Kannapolis voted to officially incorporate the city of Kannapolis. In 1986, the Pacific Holding Company sold Cannon Mills to Fieldcrest Mills, becoming Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc. Then, in 1997, the Pillowtex Corporation acquired the Fieldcrest Cannon Company. In 2003, the Pillowtex Corporation, the last owner of the textile company, closed its doors, laying off 7,650 people. Four thousand three hundred and forty of that number lived in Kannapolis or the counties surrounding the city. In December of 2004, David Murdock purchased the former Cannon Mills Plant One at auction and in 2005, in partnership with the University of North Carolina system, announced plans for a 1.5 billion dollar scientific and economic revitalization project.

This collection of interviews was conducted by Special Collections Research Center staff in an attempt to capture the social aspect of the transformation of Kannapolis, North Carolina, from textile mill based economy to an information-research based economy.

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