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Raven Rock |
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Evaluations of Accomplishments |
THE STORY OF THE QUILT SQUARE, "RAVEN ROCK",
BY MAMERS EXTENSION HOMEMAKERS CLUB FOR THE HISTORICAL QUILT OF HARNETT
COUNTY, 1989 Raven Rock Raven
Rock was originally called Patterson's Rock. In the 1740's, Gilbert
Patterson who lived alongside the Cape Fear River near Buies Creek
purchased land on the Deep River in what is now Lee County. He used a
canoe to travel the river back and forth from the new plantation to the
old. On one occasion as Patterson's canoe was smashed into the
projecting rocks near Campbell's Creek, he was hurled against another
rock breaking one of his legs. He managed to drag himself to shelter at
what is now Raven Rock which at that time was closed at both ends and
gave him protection from prowling wolves. Patterson
bound his leg with pieces of driftwood. On the third
day, a deer being chased by wolves crashed over the rocks in a broken
heap near his shelter. For the next few days he survived by eating raw
deer meat and drinking river water, until Indians canoeing up the river
discovered him and carried him to his home in Buies Creek. For
more than a hundred years the area was known as Patterson's Rock until
1854 when the Cape Fear and Deep River Navigation Company built locks
and dams on the Deep River. During this time. because of the fact that
ravens roosted on the rock ledges, Patterson's Rock became Raven Rock. In
1970 Raven Rock State Park was established and the North
Carolina Parks and Recreation Department began purchasing land in the
Area of the Rock. It was the first park after the opening of Mount
Mitchell Park, nearly 50 years earlier. At that time the 5,500 acres of
land which comprises the Park in Western Harnett County was owned by the
McKays, Cummings, Westers and Erwin Mills. The
Park is named after its unique formations of rock and large rugged
masses of stone. They arch over the banks of the Cape Fear River to
heights of more than a hundred feet. The mighty rocks hang over the
riverbank in cliffs of layered structure consisting of limestone,
quartz, sandstone and other varieties of rocks. The
rocks are metamorphic, meaning "changed in form" by the heat,
pressure, stretching, folding and melting of the earth's crust of
igneous and sedimentary rocks. Under this severe treatment new minerals
are formed and the rock is hardened. Shale is hardened into slate,
limestone becomes marble and sandstone becomes quartzite, one of the
hardest rocks known. The outcome of the metamorphic process are the
strata of granite and other crystallized mineral known as Raven Rock. It
is a one mile walk to the ledge overlooking the Cape Fear River. Wooden
steps are erected to descend to the banks along the river. Large exposed
beech tree roots are a familiar sight at the base of the rock. There are
nature trails, jogging and hiking and horseback riding trails, camping
areas and picnic tables. Flowers of many varieties abound: beech, birch,
oak, dogwood and pines highlight the vast forest. The flora of the
region is considered extraordinary. Within the boundaries of the Park
exist endless varieties of plant life. During the year naturalists and
rangers conduct nature study, plant life and bird watching programs.
Other than a few things that have been done for the safety, enjoyment
and comfort of the visitors to the park, everything has been left in
it's natural state, free of commercialism. There are many thousands of
people who visit the Park over and over again each year. The Park is
located 10 miles west of Lillington, .3 miles North, off US Highway #421
North. Written by: Selma
Cummings, Member Mamers Extension Homemakers Club Sources of
information: April 5, 1989 edition of the Harnett County , News and
personal observation Quilt Square: Row
8, Number 42 Embroidery and
applique: Selma Cummings, Member Mamers Extension Homemakers Club |
