Hunger Games Tourism: The Real District 12

The abandoned mill town of Henry River, N.C., is home to The Hunger Games’ post-apocalyptic District 12.

Henry River Mill Village

Built as a planned community for textile mill workers and their families, Henry River Mill Village died in the 1960s after the mill closed. The town’s structures became the settings for Panem’s District 12, the coal-mining district of The Hunger Games. The site is located on a quiet country road less than a mile from I-40 in Hildrebran, N.C.

Darrell Hudson for CREDIT: Slate.
The Company Store

Henry River Mill Village was self-sustaining: It used its own currency and had its own school, church, and swimming hole. The abandoned two-story company store is easily visible from the road. It was used as the exterior for the Mellark family bakery.

Darrell Hudson for CREDIT: Slate.
The Mellark Family Bakery

The old company store was transformed into the bakery owned by Peeta’s family. This view is featured in the film’s pivotal flashback in which Peeta gives Katniss bread to keep her from starving.

Darrell Hudson for CREDIT: Slate.
Peeta at the Bakery (Still from the Movie)

A wood porch was constructed for the film and then torn down after the shoot.

Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Touring District 12

Unlike the District 12 of the film, no fence or armed security force keeps anyone from entering or leaving Henry River Mill Village. Despite the "No Trespassing" signs, Hunger Games fans have been visiting the site since filming wrapped last year. The site has also been visited by the occasional vandal.

Darrell Hudson for CREDIT: Slate.
Signs of Hard Living

Even after the mill closed, a number of Henry River Mill Village residents continued to live in the town until the late 1980s. The disrepair of the houses and the town’s Appalachian setting made it an ideal location for destitute District 12.

Darrell Hudson for CREDIT: Slate.
The Everdeen Residence

The former home of textile workers is now the District 12 home of Katniss Everdeen.

Darrell Hudson for CREDIT: Slate.
Mill House Parlor

The house next to the Everdeen house has a fireplace similar to the one featured in Katniss’ memories of the mining accident that killed her father in the film.

Darrell Hudson for CREDIT: Slate.
Dam on the Henry River

Also still standing on the property are a warehouse building, the ruins of the mill, and this dam on the Henry River, for which the village is named. It is also seen briefly in the film.

Google Satellite View via Imagery Burke County, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Orbis Inc, U.S. Geological Survey, USDA Farm Service Agency.
District 12 for Sale

Henry River Mill Village has been privately owned by Wade Shepherd for more than 40 years. Shepherd is looking to sell the entire property, capitalizing on the popularity of The Hunger Games to market it. Although a release date has been announced for Catching Fire in 2013, Lionsgate has made no official announcement about whether or not they will return to the village to film the sequel.

Darrell Hudson for CREDIT: Slate.

Did you know that The Hunger Games’ District 12 was shot in an abandoned mill town in North Carolina—and that the entire town is open to sightseers? Plus, it’s for sale. Check out Slate’s slideshow of Henry River, NC, the real District 12, and start planning your Hunger Games tour—or real-estate scouting trip—now.