Eno River State Park
Encyclopedia
Eno River State Park is a 3,900 acre (15.78 km²) North Carolina state park in Durham
and Orange Counties
, North Carolina
in the United States
. It is near Durham, North Carolina
along the banks of the Eno River
. Together with the adjoining West Point on the Eno
city park, the two parks preserve over 9 miles (15 km) of the river in its natural habitat.
of the Eno
, Shakori and Occoneechee tribes lived along the river prior to European settlement. Some of the tribes merged in the late 17th century and established a village near present-day Durham. Settlers moved to the area later to set up farms and gristmills. More than 30 mills were located along the length of the Eno.
Efforts to establish Eno River State Park started in 1965 when the city of Durham proposed building a reservoir in the river valley. A group of concerned citizens led a campaign to save the Eno and formed the Association for the Preservation of the Eno River Valley. The association proposed the establishment of a state park and, in May of 1972, the state of North Carolina approved the idea. The city of Durham withdrew its efforts to construct the reservoir. In 1975, the state—with help from the Eno River Association and the Nature Conservancy—acquired more than 1,000 acres (4 km²) of land for the park.
with an Indian village on the Neuse River
. When European settlers first came to the area, the road became a trail for horses, mules, and wagons. The road connected eastern Durham County
(then Orange County), to Hillsborough
, at one point the road even had its own post office. Nowadays, Fish Dam Road is a hiking trail, although parts of the road came to form what is now parts of US 70 and Hillsborough Road.
track to ever open. Retired in 1968, it is the only track remaining from NASCAR's first season in 1949. Although originally it was just farmland, the owner of the land raced horses and built a track for him to practice. While piloting his airplane, Bill France, Sr. noticed the track and the farmland, and soon increased the track to 0.9 miles (1.4 km). The track soon became a big part of NASCAR with racers like Louise Smith
and Richard Petty
participating. Many local authorities did not like the track and eventually France was pressured to shut it down. Occoneeche Speedway is now a historic area with over three miles (5 km) of trails.
. Since then a 4 acres (16,187.4 m²) pond has built up in that area. The trail has several spots that are good for fishing.
Durham County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 223,314 people, 89,015 households, and 54,032 families residing in the county. The population density was 769 people per square mile . There were 95,452 housing units at an average density of 329 per square mile...
and Orange Counties
Orange County, North Carolina
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 133,801. Its county seat is Hillsborough...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is near Durham, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
along the banks of the Eno River
Eno River
The Eno River, named for the Eno Indians who once lived along its banks, is the initial tributary of the Neuse River in North Carolina, USA.The Eno rises in Orange County. The river's watershed occupies most of Orange and Durham counties...
. Together with the adjoining West Point on the Eno
West Point on the Eno
West Point on the Eno is a city park and historical center covering in Durham, North Carolina. Several historical structures are conserved on the site, most notably a reproduction colonial-era mill known as the West Point Mill.-History:...
city park, the two parks preserve over 9 miles (15 km) of the river in its natural habitat.
History
Native AmericansNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
of the Eno
Eno (people)
The Eno or Enoke, also called Wyanoak, was an American Indian tribe located in North Carolina during the 17th and 18th centuries that was later absorbed into the Catawba and/or the Saponi tribes.-History:...
, Shakori and Occoneechee tribes lived along the river prior to European settlement. Some of the tribes merged in the late 17th century and established a village near present-day Durham. Settlers moved to the area later to set up farms and gristmills. More than 30 mills were located along the length of the Eno.
Efforts to establish Eno River State Park started in 1965 when the city of Durham proposed building a reservoir in the river valley. A group of concerned citizens led a campaign to save the Eno and formed the Association for the Preservation of the Eno River Valley. The association proposed the establishment of a state park and, in May of 1972, the state of North Carolina approved the idea. The city of Durham withdrew its efforts to construct the reservoir. In 1975, the state—with help from the Eno River Association and the Nature Conservancy—acquired more than 1,000 acres (4 km²) of land for the park.
The Eno River Association
Established in 1966, the Eno River Association has bought and protected more than 4900 acres (20 km²) of land since that time. Along with protecting the plants and wildlife, the association also attempts to teach people about the natural environment and conservation. The Association also produces the Festival for the Eno.Fish Dam Road
In the 17th century, Fish Dam Road connected an Indian village on the Eno RiverEno River
The Eno River, named for the Eno Indians who once lived along its banks, is the initial tributary of the Neuse River in North Carolina, USA.The Eno rises in Orange County. The river's watershed occupies most of Orange and Durham counties...
with an Indian village on the Neuse River
Neuse River
The Neuse River is a river rising in the Piedmont of North Carolina and emptying into Pamlico Sound below New Bern. Its total length is approximately , making it the longest river entirely contained in North Carolina. The Trent River joins it at New Bern. Its drainage basin, measuring in area,...
. When European settlers first came to the area, the road became a trail for horses, mules, and wagons. The road connected eastern Durham County
Durham County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 223,314 people, 89,015 households, and 54,032 families residing in the county. The population density was 769 people per square mile . There were 95,452 housing units at an average density of 329 per square mile...
(then Orange County), to Hillsborough
Hillsborough, North Carolina
Hillsborough is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 5,653 at the 2008 census. It is the county seat of Orange County....
, at one point the road even had its own post office. Nowadays, Fish Dam Road is a hiking trail, although parts of the road came to form what is now parts of US 70 and Hillsborough Road.
Occoneechee Speedway
Occoneechee Speedway was the second NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
track to ever open. Retired in 1968, it is the only track remaining from NASCAR's first season in 1949. Although originally it was just farmland, the owner of the land raced horses and built a track for him to practice. While piloting his airplane, Bill France, Sr. noticed the track and the farmland, and soon increased the track to 0.9 miles (1.4 km). The track soon became a big part of NASCAR with racers like Louise Smith
Louise Smith
Louise Smith was tied for the second woman to race in NASCAR at the top level. She was known as "the first lady of racing."...
and Richard Petty
Richard Petty
Richard Lee Petty is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series...
participating. Many local authorities did not like the track and eventually France was pressured to shut it down. Occoneeche Speedway is now a historic area with over three miles (5 km) of trails.
West Point on the Eno
Although West Point on the Eno was once an area where local Indians fished, hunted, and grew crops, it's better known as a community that thrived on the many mills in the area. White settlers who originally came to the area were impressed by the fresh water and decided to build mills to harvest this. Michael Synott built the first mill, he was soon followed by many other entrepreneurs. Since then, the community of West Point has died out. Today it is both a historical site displaying the 18th and 19th century mills and a city park that covers 388 acres (1.6 km²) on the banks of the Eno River.West Point Mill
West Point Mill is perhaps the most famous mill in West Point on the Eno. Originally built in 1780 by William Thetford and Charles Abercrom-bie, it ran for 160 years before being retired in 1942. It is one of the last surviving mills in the area and is open for visitors both to see how it worked and to visit the gift shop.General Rules
Although Eno River State Park and its trails are public places, there are rules that visitors must be aware of. No bicycles or motorized vehicles are allowed on the trails. Dogs must be on a leash, fires are only allowed in specific parts of picnic areas, and trash must be put in a trash can. Camping requires both a permit and a fee. Alcohol is not permitted at the park. Rangers are strict about this and not only will they make you pour the alcohol out, but they will require you to leave the park as well.Buckquarter Creek
Beginning at the parking lot for the Piper-Cox Museum, the Buckquarter Creek Trail goes up the river at Few's Ford. A staircase takes visitors to a view of the Eno River rapids down below. This 1.5 miles (2.4 km) loop is marked by red dots. Holden Mill loop and the Ridge Trail branch off from the Buckquarter Creek Trail.Cabelands
The Cabelands Trail is 1.2 miles (1.9 km) long and is marked by red dots. The trail passes through the few remains of the Cabe Mill. The stretch of the river is very rocky and usually known as Cabe's Gorge.Cox Mountain
The Cox Mountain Trail is marked by blue dots this 3.75 miles (6 km) trip passes a picnic area and crosses the suspension foot bridge. The trail goes up 270 feet (82.3 m) in elevation and at one point follows Hillsborough Coach Road. When getting closer to Cox Mountain, the trail can get fairly steep. From this trail you can go onto Fanny's Ford trail.Eno Quarry
Eno Quarry Trail is marked by blue dots and is a 0.42 mile (0.6759228 km) loop. In the 60's, stone was removed from the Eno Quarry Trail to aid in construction of Interstate 85Interstate 85
Interstate 85 is a major interstate highway in the Southeastern United States. Its current southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus interchanges with Interstate 95 in Petersburg, Virginia, near Richmond...
. Since then a 4 acres (16,187.4 m²) pond has built up in that area. The trail has several spots that are good for fishing.