In order to tell the story of Avalon we must first
venture back to 1887. In 1887 Avalon nor Mayodan had even been dreamed of. Incorporated in 1873,
only Madison existed in this area. I feel it is safe to say that if not for a man named "Colonel"
Francis Henry Fries, there would have not been an Avalon or Mayodan.
"Colonel" Fries was not actually a colonel, but was named an honorary colonel by Governor
Alfred M. Scales and thus was privileged to use this title. Colonel Fries, like his father and
other close family members, was heavily involved in the textile industry from a young age. This
Salem family had created several textile mills before Col. Fries built his first, Arista Cotton
Mills in 1880. Fries realized that, in order to further develop the industry in the area, a
railroad was needed to open up transportation. He and a partner, Tom Huske, took on the challenge
to construct a 122-mile railway from Salem to the Norfolk & Western tracks in Roanoke, VA.
Colonel Fries was overseer of the construction of the tracks for the duration. In 1891, about
five years and two million dollars later, the Roanoke and Southern Railroad was complete. In
February 1892 the Roanoke and Southern line was sold to Norfolk & Western. Before his death in
1931, Colonel Fries, a founder and former president of what is now Wachovia Bank and Trust Company, proceeded to build
Mayo Mills in 1896, Avalon Mills in 1899, Maline Mills in 1900, Washington Mills in Fries, VA,
in 1902, and Indera Mills in 1914.
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