Falcon, Godwin & Linden - Northeastern Cumberland County
As I mentioned in my last blog, at the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau we represent all municipalities in Cumberland County, and I will spend some time writing about each one. I’ve certainly discovered some things I did not know.
FALCON
Falcon is in the northern part of Cumberland County. In the 2000 census, Falcon had a population of 328 and included 84 households
.Falcon is known as the birthplace of the Pentecostal Holiness Church. In January 1911, at the Octagon Tabernacle in Falcon, a formal agreement was signed merging two denominations to form the Pentecostal Holiness Church.The Octagon Tabernacle was built in 1898 by Julius A. Culbreth as a location for prayer meetings. (Culbreth was also the founder of the town of Falcon.) Built with wood uprooted from a tornado, the tabernacle was built with its unique shape because it reminded Culbreth of tents that were used during revivals.
The Octagon Tabernacle stands today on West Street in Falcon. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
Falcon is also home to the Falcon Children’s Home, a ministry of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. For 100 years, the Falcon Children’s Home has cared for children from the southeastern United States who need out of home placement for many reasons. Their annual homecoming event, which typically welcomes 600 visitors, is July 24-25, 2010.
GODWIN
According to the 2000 census, Godwin is our smallest municipality in Cumberland County. The entire town sits on .2 square miles of land north of Fayetteville and its population is 112.
Godwin is home to the Godwin Presbyterian Church. Founded in 1904 this church is an offshoot of the Old Bluff Presbyterian Church, which was founded in 1758. The church offers a friendship garden that is open to the public.
David “Carbine” Williams, the inventor of the M1 Carbine rifle, was born in Godwin. He is buried in the cemetery at Old Bluff church in nearby Wade.
Rhodes Pond, located just outside Godwin, offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Cumberland County. The NC Natural Heritage Program designated the 461-acre blackwater lake as regionally significant because of the breadth of wildlife and plants on the site. These include cypresses, alligators, game fish, river frogs, little blue herons, great blue herons and egrets.
Additionally, the fishing is said to be incredible. Although I do not fish, I found many sites that fishing rave about the fishing at Rhodes Pond. In fact, NC Angler has a current forum devoted to Rhodes Pond. Check out the link to learn more.
LINDEN
Linden is the second-smallest municipality in Cumberland County. It encompasses 1/2 -mile of land and 127 residents.
Linden was incorporated in 1914.
From its founding, Linden was and continues to be an agricultural community. This agricultural heritage is displayed every April when Indian Ridge Farms holds the community’s Annual Corn Planting Day. At this event, teams of horses, mules and oxen break, plow and plan the land. Food is cooked on a campfire and a wood stove; and horse-drawn farm equipment is on display. Interpreters dress in early 20th century attire. Visitors are welcome to take part in all of the activities.
Thanks to Facebook, I learned just today that the Linden Orchards is opening up for blueberry picking on June 15th. They are located at 777 Lane Road in Linden. Call 919-889-8523 for more information.
Its been very interesting to learn more about Cumberland County! In the final blog on Cumberland County municipalities, I will write about Eastover, Stedman & Wade. Anything you’d like me to know about any of our municipalities that I’ve missed? I’d love for your to share with me.
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