The Lenoir Cotton Mill, built between 1810 and 1821, was one of a series of mills in the community along Town Creek and the only one surviving. The mills were built by William B. Lenoir, a prosperous manufacturer, miller, and merchant. It is one of Tennessee's earliest examples of industrial architecture. In 1890 there were 1000 spindles operating in the mill. Wood trusses in the building were designed intuitively since truss action was not defined scientifically until 1847.