Henry River Mill Village in North Carolina—best known as the fictional District 12 setting from The Hunger Games—has moved onto the market. Tucked near Hildebran in the state’s western region, the 29-hectare site preserves a weathered coal-mining landscape, 22 standing structures, and an aging textile mill that quietly recalls a once-bustling industrial district. Abandoned in 1987, the property has carried a market value well over 1.2 million USD, a reflection not only of its cinematic legacy but also of its rugged industrial charm and its promise for private ownership or selective restoration as a living artifact of film history. The location draws photographers, historians, and curious visitors who see in its stark silhouettes a real-world link to the Hunger Games saga and to the era of company towns. The scene presents a striking, photogenic atmosphere that has made it a magnet for urban explorers and fans who yearn to step back in time and listen for the echoes of a quieter, bygone era.
Current owner Wade Shepherd has signaled plans to sell after years of steady fan traffic that turns the site into a constant stage for memory and photography. The steady flow of visitors has pushed regular maintenance and security needs, prompting Shepherd to suggest that a new owner could manage the property more efficiently while safeguarding its fragile structures. Despite the fame, large portions of the village remain off-limits to casual exploration, with access limited to private arrangements and controlled viewing designed to preserve the integrity of the old mill complex and the surrounding landscape.
North Carolina’s official tourism portal offers a four-day Hunger Games itinerary that includes a stop at the District 12 locale, yet Henry River Mill Village itself remains closed to public visits outside organized tours. The surrounding countryside, dotted with other industrial remnants, provides a glimpse of the setting’s history, creating a travel experience that echoes the film while honoring preservation and private-property boundaries.
Joe Maddalena, founder of the Hollywood auction house Profiles in History, is guiding the sale with an auction date tentatively set around July 31. Maddalena notes that Lionsgate did not modify the village for filming; the production used the site exactly as it stood, with the same exteriors and interiors viewers recognize on screen. Today the property stands as a snapshot of a place once alive with industry, preserved as a cinematic relic that invites bidders to consider its potential as both a historical site and a private destination.
According to Maddalena, the interiors remain intact, and visitors who enter Katniss’s house may feel an uncanny proximity to the memories tied to the production. The film’s legacy has drawn a steady stream of visitors over the years, leaving traces from faded signage to worn stair rails. Those details contribute to the site’s aura and its appeal to fans and prospective buyers who weigh how to balance preservation with possible future uses, including curated exhibits or private tours.
Apart from the Everdeen residence, Henry River Mill Village served as the on-screen home to Mellark Bakery, a detail fans instantly recognize during key scenes. This connection makes the site a compact museum of the film, with elements that help tell the story even for those who have never visited. A future owner would need to balance nostalgia with practical plans for maintenance, safety, and potential public-access opportunities, ensuring the property remains a meaningful tribute to the film while staying financially viable.
While the idea of ownership excites some bidders, immediate offers are not anticipated. Prospective buyers would confront high restoration costs, ongoing maintenance for aging structures, and strict adherence to local zoning and safety rules. For now the site stays closed to casual visitors, with viewing and inquiry limited to the auction process. Fans and investors alike will judge whether controlled private ownership can preserve the film history while enabling a measured public experience through curated exhibits or private tours.