General Interest
Stedman, Eastover and Wade
Its been quite a while since my last blog about the municipalities of Cumberland County. Back in April, I decided it would be interesting to research and write short pieces about each of the municipalities in Cumberland County. In my research, I’ve found that each of our municipalities has its own assets – and I’m happy to share them here.
Stedman
The town of Stedman was settled in 1841 when John Culbreth Blocker built a stagecoach house and post office on land that he had purchased. The town was incorporated in 1917.
Today, the 1.4-square mile town has a population of 664. It is named for Civil War Major Charles Manly Stedman. Stedman was raised in Fayetteville; and served in the Civil War as a private in the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry during the Civil War. Stedman was the Lt. Governor of North Carolina from 1885 to 1889 and served in the US House of Representatives from 1910 to 1930. He was the last Civil War veteran to serve in the US Congress and is interred at Cross Creek Cemetery in Fayetteville.
If you are visiting Stedman, consider stopping at the Stedman Soda Shop for breakfast or lunch. Great food and great atmosphere! If you are into trains and historical stations, be sure to check out the Stedman Library, which is housed in a circa 1890 Cape Fear & Yadkin Valley train depot.In season,
Stedman offers a number of farms for fresh produce
1. Bullard Farms - watermelons, 2280 Stedman Cedar Creek Road, Stedman, NC 28391. Phone: 910-303-3795. July 8th thru August 15th
2. Bunce Brothers Farm, Inc - strawberries, restrooms, handicapped accessible. 6267 Blake Road, Stedman, NC 28391-8656. Phone: (910) 483-500. Open: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm; Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm. Also, the following prepicked vegetables are available in season: pumpkins, greens, tomatoes, watermelons, and cantaloupes.
3. Stedman Blueberries – Blueberries, 5991 Sidney Bullard Road, Stedman, NC 28391. Phone: (910) 531-3110. Open: Monday to Friday 6 am to 6 pm. June 20 thru July 30
Eastover
Cumberland County’s youngest town, Eastover, was incorporated in 2007. The 4.1 square mile town has 1,376 residents. However, Eastover Township was formed by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1865.
In my research, I found that Eastover has some interesting historical tidbits about the schools in its community.In 1919, Eastover opened the first accredited high school in Cumberland County. Shortly thereafter, the Eastover school district extended the school term from 6 to 8 months. The school was considered one of the best in the county.
Eastover’s hallmark special event, Eastover Heritage Day – celebrates the heritage of this tight-knit community. The day starts with a parade, and it seems the entire community is their either watching or in the parade. Afterwards at the Eastover ballpark, festivities have included hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, a bake sale, crafts, farm exhibits, a car show and raffles, as well as children’s activities. Musical. Proceeds, according to organizers, provide recreational opportunities for all ages in the Eastover community. The special event is sponsored by the Eastover Civic Club.
Wade
Wade, a 1.3-square mile town of 486 residents, was settled around the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad and named for NG Wade. Mr. Wade was a local business man who sold crossties to the railroad. Wade was originally chartered in 1869, but that charter was abandoned. The town was again charted on March 8, 1913.
Wade was originally 1 square mile. In 1990, tracts of land were annexed, taking the town to its current size.
One of the region’s oldest churches and cemeteries, Old Bluff Church, is located in Wade. Organized in 1758, Old Bluff Presbyterian Church is one of oldest Presbyterian churches in Cumberland County. This church along with Long Street Presbyterian and Barbecue Presbyterian Churches provided the Scottish population of the Upper Cape Fear Valley with longtime formal congregations. The adjacent cemetery is one of the oldest in the county. Many early Scottish settler and merchant families are buried there: including Colonel Alexander McAllister (a leading county patriot in the American Revolution), Farquhard Campbell and David Marshall (Carbine) Williams (invented the semi-automatic M1 Carbine rifle used in World War II). The present Greek Revival structure was built in 1858. Additionally, Old Bluff Church is one of the community’s significant Civil War sites. Confederate troops gathered on the grounds prior to the Battle of Averasboro.
Explore further
If you are interested in learning more about the history of Cumberland County , I encourage you to visit one or more of our Cultural Heritage Trails. The trails are grouped into themes – such as Scottish or African American History, Architecture, Civil War and Military History. You can chose one trail and explore the theme that is of interest to you. Either download the trail’s .pdf (which provides turn by turn directions) or stop by the Visitor Center at 245 Person Street to pick up a Cultural Heritage Trails guide, and you are on your way. Additionally Each tour offers an audio historical narrative that you can download and listen to prior or during your visit.
If you are looking for a fun, engaging, family friendly way to explore our history, consider Trail Trek, our geocaching trail. 10 sites throughout the community have caches “treasures.” You find the sites and the caches using GPS coordinates and clues we have provided. It’s a high-tech scavenger hunt that is educational and FUN. Enjoy!
Pottery downtown Fay!
Operation Celebrate Freedom-a night to remember
Shop ’til you drop!
There are lots of fun places I like to go shopping in Fayetteville! My favorite place, that’s usually my first stop, are the cute little boutiques downtown on Hay Street. They always have the most unique things in their stores whether you’re shopping for clothes or cute things to furnish your home. Downtown has it all. I get most of my wedding gifts, birthday presents, and Christmas presents downtown!
Beat the Heat !
Below, I’ve outlined a few family-friendly ways to beat the heat this summer. These places are all great fun!
Fantasy Lake
Fantasy Lake is located on a six-acre man-made lake in Hope Mills and is surrounded by white sand beaches. In addition to lots of room to swim, the facility offers dozens of special activities including:
- Trapeze Swings
- Water Slides - both enclosed slides and slower open slides
- Pedal Boats
- Drop Slides - featuring a free fall at the end
- Jump Tower
- Porch swings in the water
- Water Volleyball
Admission is $14 for adults (11+) and $10 for ages 3-10. Fantasy Lake is open 10 am - 6 pm throughout the season. More information: www.fantasylakewaterpark.com
Smith Lake
Located one mile outside of Ft. Bragg, Smith Lake Recreation Park offers a large lifeguarded beach from 12- 7 pm Thursday through Sunday throughout the summer. The park has volleyball, a playground and floating trampolines in the children’s swimming area.
Managed by Fort Bragg MWR, Smith Lake is open to the public. Admission is $5 for the public $4 for government ID holders and $2 for children 6-16. Mountain bike trails and Paintball Adventure Sports are available on-site for an additional fee. Camping is available for active duty personnel, military retirees and Department of Defense civilians. More information: www.fortbraggmwr.com/smithlake.php
Waldo’s Beach
A third place to beat the heat is Lake Waldo’s Beach in Hope Mills. Lake Waldo’s Beach has water slides, a lazy river, pool and lake swimming, picnic areas, playgrounds, a pet trail, fishing pier, boat ramp, fishing and paddle boat rental.
Open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is $12 for ages (11+) and $10 for children under 10. Admission is ½ price Monday through Friday. Camping is also available. http://www.lakewaldosbeachcampground.com/
Splash Pad
The under 10-set love the Splash Pad at Christina Smith park. Admission is free. The Splash Pad features water guns, sprinklers, sprayers and cannons all under colorful arches. A shaded picnic area is just outside the fence and restrooms are nearby. Hours are 3-6 Monday through Friday; 10-6 Saturday and 1-6 on Sunday. http://www.fcpr.us/aquatics.aspx
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.
Thinking of Hosting an Event Downtown?
Birthdays, wedding receptions, anniversaries…there are so many great milestones and what better place to celebrate, but Downtown Fayetteville. Lucky for everyone there are fantastic places to choose from including locations for small, intimate gatherings to large, formal receptions. Some examples include:
The Metropolitan Room
The Metropolitan Room boasts a 5,000 square foot plus ballroom, a unique mini vault lounge (which can be used for serving drinks), lobby, marbled entrance foyer with a marble fountain and a private four story parking garage. Floor to ceiling windows complete the look and the view of Downtown Fayetteville and the Market House is extraordinary. This beautiful addition to Downtown Fayetteville can service parties from 50 to 500 people. Visit www.themetroroom.com for more details.
The Rainbow Room
The Rainbow Room is a prime example of a renovated downtown building centered on Hay Street, which features brick sidewalks and blossoming trees. With a modern interior and room for 100-150, this venue has housed wedding receptions, corporate meetings and the like. They provide chairs and tables for your guests and also allow the flexibility to bring your own caterer, music and decorations. For small, intimate gatherings, this is your venue. Visit www.rainbowroom.biz for more information.
AIT’s Festival Hall
AIT’s Festival Hall has a seating capacity of 250 in their 3,300 square foot main hall and plenty of downtown parking. The room is almost a blank canvas as far as the different seating arrangements that can be imagined featuring round and rectangular tables. Table linens, setup and breakdown of the room are included in their event package. Visit www.ait.com/aitauditoriumlayout.php for photos and contact information.
City of Fayetteville Parks and Buildings
Cross Creek Park, The Transportation Museum and other downtown public properties are also available for your special event. Call Erica Brady for special events at 433-1505 or Bruce Daws for events in historic properties at 433-1457.
Really, what better place and what better backdrop can you ask for on your special day, no matter the occasion, than Downtown Fayetteville? Along with our historic churches, parks and buildings, your guests will thank you for their gorgeous photos and their long-lived memories. Find your perfect venue downtown – you will be glad you did!
Fantastic Events Coming Up Monthly, Downtown!
Field of Honor
The 2010 Glory Days Field of Honor, sponsored by the Fayetteville Downtown Alliance, is a memorial to all of our servicemen and women. You can get involved by sponsoring an American flag to join the hundred that will fly at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum from May 14 to June 29. Individual flags are $25.00 and corporate sponsorships are available. Visit www.glorydaysnc.com for more information. If you have not seen it before, it will take your breath away.
31 Days of Glory
31 Days of Glory is a month-long celebration of performances, ceremonies, exhibits and activities sponsored by a host of organizations including the Fayetteville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the Fayetteville Downtown Alliance, Fort Bragg MWR, Museum of the Cape Fear and many other participating partners. The entire month of May is dedicated to honor soldiers, vets and their families and will include great events such as the Glory Days Downtown Memorial Day Celebration, a Military Film Festival at the Cameo Theatre and the fundraiser Walk a Mile in Their Boots. For a full list of events and activities, visit www.31daysofglory.com.
Fourth Friday
Fourth Friday is a celebration of the arts in beautiful downtown Fayetteville. In May, Fourth Friday will be expanding to include Arts Alive at Fourth Friday, sponsored by the Arts Council, hosting live entertainment stages, art booths with professional artists displaying their art for sale and artists demonstrating their craft on Franklin and Maxwell streets. And, as always, merchants and restaurant owners around the district will open their doors wide and will feature specials, artists, music and much more! For more information, visit www.theartscouncil.com.
Fayetteville after Five
Fayetteville after Five, sponsored by the Fayetteville Museum of Art, is a terrific, and free, concert series hosted at Festival Park. Starting after work, bring your lawn chairs and beach blankets, grab dinner and beverages and enjoy a great selection of music among friends. The 2010 line-up includes:
- May 20 – The Tams
- June 17 – Coconut Groove Band
- July 15 – Suicide Blonde
- Aug. 19 – Craig Woolard Band
- Sept. 16 – Chairmen of the Board
Mark your calendars! For more information, visit www.fayettevillemuseumart.org.
Spring Lake, Fayetteville’s neighbor to the north
At Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau we represent all the 10 communities that encompass Cumberland County. Lots and lots is written about Fayetteville - so I’d like to dedicate my next few blogs to writing a little bit about the other nine municipalities.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to tour Spring Lake with the volunteer staff at the Fayetteville Area CVB. We toured several beautiful churches, went to the site of the Sandhills Farmers Market, saw the Anderson Creek development and golf course - and even saw Spring Lake itself. (Which I shamefully admit, I didn’t know existed!)
One of the churches we visited, Bethel AME Zion Church, was first started in 1873 as a mission called Little Ark. Jack Murchison built a Bush Shelter to preach to the neighboring plantations. A few years later, a Presbyterian minister preached at Little Ark and established it as a Presbyterian church. Subsequently, a Methodist minister from Fayetteville arrived and converted them to Methodism, which later became a part of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church movement.
We visited several other churches including Spring Lake Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, and Williams Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, which was founded in 1903. All the sanctuaries were beautiful; and I was impressed by the passion of the folks who gave us the tour of their churches.
Near the Bethel AME Zion Church is the site of the Sandhills Farmers Market. As Sandhills Family Heritage Association President Ammie Jenkins says “There’s more to the Sandhills Farmers Market than just vegetables.” Special events and workshops are held throughout the summer. The market is open every Saturday from June to September.
If golf is your thing, Anderson Creek Golf Course is said to be one of the best in the state. The course, the first in NC designed by Davis Love II was named the top new course in North Carolina in 2001.
The Clay Target Center is one of the largest skeet and trap shooting facilities in the country. Managed by Fort Bragg MWR, and located in Spring Lake, the Clay Target Center is open to both the military and civilian population. The Clay Target Center hosts a number of regional and national events each year.
On my tour, I also learned that Spring Lake and Fort Bragg have one of the largest populations of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker in the country. This is the only bird that creates its own nest inside the middle of a living tree - and the longleaf pines are a perfect home for these endangered birds.
Spring Lake also has six hotels; lots of places to shop, tons of restaurants and a number of special events throughout the year.
Since I’m sure I haven’t covered everything about Spring Lake, I gathered some links where you can learn more:
Plank Roads & other historical tidbits
Sandhills Family Heritage Association