Morrow Mill

Incredibly unique, panoramic and serene historic mill built in 1878 plus guest house and barn on over 18 acres in Chapel Hill!

The original working Morrow Mill grist mill is the namesake for the road it is sited on. Two majestic, mature magnolia trees flank the property as you pull in the private drive. There are three unique structures on the 19+ acres: one is the Main house, one is the guest house and one is what is called the ”barn”.  Don’t miss the video tour of this property here!

The main house is over 3,200 square fee featuring four bedrooms with an updated kitchen with new cabinets, a subzero refrigerator, new dishwasher, induction cooktop and oven. Soapstone countertops and wonderful pendants round out the updated feel while blending in with the historic character. Both the front porch and screened-in porch have cedar flooring that was milled from cedar trees that grew on the property. Original beams and floor joists provide historical provenance and character with the date of 1878 carved into one of the beams. Amazingly, one of the original millstones is set above the living room fireplace!

The foundation of the property has been completely redone and the stones from the original mill property have been repurposed into the walls of the terraces in the yard. The property features abundant flat outdoor space next to Cane Creek for entertaining. Roof is from 2023. New HVAC from 2025. Main ductwork redone in 2023. Second floor shower remodeled in 2023. Two huge solar ground mount arrays were installed up above the property (2024) with Tesla battery packs installed in both the main house (2025) and guest house (2024). Generac generators have been installed for both the main house and guest house, allowing you to be prepared if power goes out, not to mention the savings on your electrical bill. Tankless hot water heaters accompany both houses as well.

Speaking of the guest house, a lovely heated pool was built in 2017 with accompanying stone pool deck. There is a wonderful view of the property as you’re relaxing on the pool deck. Updated countertops and sink for the main kitchen in the guest house were redone. There is also a sink and refrigerator off of the pool area for guests. A cute little room next to it houses a separate washroom and place to use the bathroom so guests don’t have to come into the main part of the guest house. A private outdoor shower has been installed for guest convenience as well. The guest house has two mini splits. One from 2023 and one from 2026. The roof on the guest house is from 2023.

The ”barn” is the last structure on the property, but certainly not the least depending on your amount of imagination. With over 4,000 heated and cooled square feet including electrical and plumbing connections to do with what you will, this space could be just about anything. The mini splits were put in in 2018 and it got a new roof in 2023. The third story has beautiful wood flooring and was used as an artist studio at one point in the life of this structure.  The second story was used as a music studio on one side and a private gym on the other.

Off to the side of the driveway as you pull up to the property is a fenced in garden area with a greenhouse.

The owner is offering a deed right of first refusal for the property at 3121 Morning Ridge, which sits out of view above the mill on 10.01 acres. When my client bought this property, it had multiple offers and is an incredibly desirable property.

Morrow Mill historical information from openorangenc.org/buildings/millicans-mill-webb-morrows-mill-morrows-mill:

What later became known as Morrow’s Mill was established by Robert Millican/Millikan in 1780. After being passed down through Millican’s heirs, the mill and property was sold to William Morrow in 1822 (thanks to Mark Chilton for this information). The mill’s dam was/is located on Cane Creek.   The last mill structure was built circa 1878 by George T. Morrow, who is said to have operated the mill until 1931. This may have been the third mill structure built at this site since 1780.   The mill is shown on the 1891 Tate map of Orange County as Webb & Morrow’s mill. The 1918 soil map of Orange County shows the mill but doesn’t name it. Webb & Morrow may also have operated a general store at this location.   In 1938, Sample and Ina Forbus purchased the property from the Mitchell-Rogers family, and had the mill building converted/remodeled into a residence. They moved in in November 1939.

Documentary image c.1885

For complete listing information, click here.