The Industry

In writing about the Waldenses, Fred Cranford noted that their plight during that first winter rivaled the hardships they had faced in Italy. In dire poverty, facing starvation, they had no choice but to send their children to other towns to work in homes or stores or mills or whatever jobs they could find so that they might at least "have warm beds and nourishing meals, and they could send home a few coins a month for the other members of the family, who were by then living on a diet mainly of cornbread and molasses."

Thus, the older generation continued to wrestle with the stones, the stumps, the stubborn soil, and the sawmill while teenagers and younger adults left home to find sustenance for the colony from outside. the success of the colony depended upon their leaving no stone unturned in finding any available source of income. Consequently, some left the state; some found work in towns nearby, such as Morganton, Salisbury, and Charlotte.

One of the latter was Jean Jacques Leger's eighteen-year-old daughter, Louise who left Valdese in January of 1894 to work as a domestic in the home of John Meier, superintendent of the Oats Hosiery Mill in Charlotte. Perhaps it was through Miss Leger that Meier became interested in the Valdese colony.

Or more likely, it was Dr. Matteo Prochet who brought Meier into the Valdese story. In the winter of 1893, Prochet lectured in Charlotte - a well-publicized event likely to have caught the notice of the Swiss-born Meier. In some way the two met; and, knowing first-hand the dire state of the colonists - having spent a week in the colony at Christmas time - Dr. Prochet apparently seized the opportunity to induce Meier to consider an industrial venture in Valdese.

However, the connection was made, in May of 1894 the Valdese Corporation approved a contract Prochet had drawn up with Meier to start a hosiery manufacturing business. The five-year agreement granted free use of four acres of land with a two-story frame barn to house his machinery and assured rough lumber for remodeling. He promised good wages and agreed to hire only Waldenses. If the business grew large enough to require labor other than Waldenses, Meier could hire them only with approval from the Corporation.

Waldensian Hosiery Mills - 1901
Valdese Manufacturing Company - 1913
The Waldensian Bakery - 1915
Valdese Cooperative Store - 1917-1938
Brinkley & Sons - 1920's

“What Mean These Stones” – Maxine McCall & Kays Gary
Copyright © 1993

Prime Rib (3).png

100 Main Restaurant & Bar

American Restaurant offering dine-in, takeout, and curbside pickup for all your foodie needs! Thursday Night Pint Night…
DSC07420 smaller.jpg

125th Anniversary Mural

This mural created by Tom and Casey Kilgore of CK Paints, depicts a Waldensian Family and their home in the Cottian Alps, which is where the Original Settlers of Valdese traveled from to make Valdese their home.
104496949_3194224467304358_913586019423953329_n.jpg

All Paws Boarding & Grooming

Full grooming & boarding services available. Please call today for information!
hospice

Amorem Thrift Store

Burke Hospice Thrifts & Gifts is a special store - all profits go to support patients in need at Burke Hospice! So …
90253038_2989819351078205_6287827195016511488_n.jpg

Animal Hospital of East Burke

Full service veterinarian, happy to take care of your pets needs no matter how small.
466068_391163590929196_828514572_o.jpg

Autoworks of Valdese

Autoworks of Valdese has been providing superior service to the Unifour for over 30 years. With services ranging from routine maintenance to complete engine replacement, the ASE certified technicians at Autoworks make quality service their top priority
41257902_1809882072465966_5571744438968909824_n.png

Bargain House Appliance

Family owned and operated, Bargain House Appliance has been in business for over 30 years. Call us today for all of your appliance service needs.
53524156_566370100542527_8664570935942053888_n.jpg

Barkside Pet Grooming

An award winning pet salon with award winning professional groomers have appointments available! Full dog grooming and bathing services along with spa treatments.
IMG_4961.jpeg

Belle Vie w/ E

Welcome! I'm Erica, a passionate esthetician dedicated to helping you uncover your natural beauty. Graduating from…
BELLE-6644.jpg

Belle at Avery

The Belle at Avery is located in downtown Morganton, just minutes from Valdese. Plan your stay in the historic B&B.
Bakery smaller.jpg

Bimbo Bakeries

Bimbo Bakeries USA is a leader in the baking industry, known for its category leading brands, innovative products, freshness and quality. As part of Grupo Bimbo, the world’s largest baking company, BBU is proud to share the company philosophy.