Old Meat Packing Plant May Turn Into Park in Navassa

This old Cape Fear Meat Packing Plant was built in 1919. They used to slaughter cattle and hogs at the plant which operated for only four years because the plant’s owner, was found dead, hung in the middle of the plant. 85 years later, the plant sits abandoned. Soon, that will change because of the new Interstate 140 that will pass right between the old packing plant and the Cape Fear River. Navassa mayor Eulis Willis says: ” the town of Navassa has never done anything for historical preservation. We have a unique culture and tradition and this meat packing plant reflects that. We thought if we could preserve this building, then we could put a little park around it and we’d have our first tourist attraction.”

The goal for the town of Navassa is to be held “not liable” for any contamination on the property that might exist. After all, the plant closed in 1923. Back then Navassa was not incorporated. That occurred 54 years later.