Our History

Dallas Mill, Alabama’s largest cotton mill and a manufacturer of cotton sheeting, began operating in 1892 when Huntsville’s population was only 1,327.

The mill at one time employed over 1000 people. The mill village extended from Oakwood Avenue, north to O’Shaughnessy Avenue, and West to Dallas Avenue. The mill became essential to the economy of the area by providing employees with homes, medical care, churches, a library, a lodge building, a YMCA, concerts, a kindergarten, and schools.

The mill closed in 1949. Dallas Village was incorporated into Huntsville six years later in 1955. At that time Genesco Shoe Company used the mill building for a distribution operation. After 1985 the mill was vacant.

In 1991 Huntsville watched the beloved landmark, which had stood for a century, burn for three days.

Dallas Mill Deli pays tribute to the memory of the mill. We opened in 2006 and strive to bring the same sense of community to the Deli that the cotton mill brought to Huntsville.

If you don’t already know the crew at the deli, you may notice that after you have walked through the serving line a few times, you’ll be called by name and become a friend!