In Episode 75 of the K-Town Connection, lifelong Kannapolis photographer and artist Chad Mitchell opens his archive of more than 25,000 photographs that document the demolition of Cannon Mills — the place that built this town.
As the massive mill complex disappeared, Chad decided someone had to record what was being lost. What began as a personal mission became one of the most important visual records of Kannapolis history ever created. He takes us inside the abandoned buildings, shares how he gained access (Hardee’s biscuits helped), and reveals the stories behind some of his most powerful images — including the fall of the iconic water tower, a once-in-a-lifetime balloon ride over the complex, and the unforgettable photograph of his late father standing in the partially demolished mill, looking out at the rubble of the place where he had worked for decades.
Chad also looks back at an incredible creative career that includes photographing Appalachian State football during its national championship years, serving as team photographer for Kannapolis professional baseball, working with NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, and creating artwork connected to Dale Earnhardt.
His guiding philosophy has always been simple:
Tell as much of the story as possible in one shutter click.
Today, as a new generation grows up in a Kannapolis that looks nothing like the mill town their parents and grandparents knew, these photographs have become even more valuable. They don’t just preserve buildings — they preserve the people, the work, the memories, and the identity of a community that was forever changed.
This episode is exactly what the K-Town Connection is about: preserving Kannapolis history by telling the stories of the people who lived it.
📸 Browse and purchase Chad’s photography and artwork: ChadMitchell.com
📍 Filmed at Historic Dayvault’s Dyno Tune-Up & Brake Service Garage in Kannapolis, North Carolina
🎙️ Hosted by the #RoughTalkCousins Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault, along with Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin and David Steele
Chapters
0:00 – Intro & Local Updates
5:32 – Welcome to Episode 75
5:52 – Introducing Chad Mitchell
7:02 – Growing Up in Kannapolis
12:00 – How Chad Began Documenting the Mills
14:00 – Getting Access with Hardee’s Biscuits
17:18 – Inside the Abandoned Mill Buildings
19:24 – Over 25,000 Photographs
25:10 – The Darkest Place in the Mill
27:20 – “Lifeline” – The Railroad Light Painting
37:15 – Where to See & Buy the Photos
38:21 – Kiln-Dried Maple Floors & the Sign
39:49 – Baseball Photography Years
43:45 – The Dale Earnhardt Artwork
46:06 – The “Quality Work Means Job Security” Sign
53:45 – The Balloon Ride Over Cannon Mills
56:15 – The Photograph of Chad’s Father
59:48 – Closing Thoughts & Thank You
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