Agenda - 11-19-2009 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

7 Hollow Rock Access Area Master Plan September 2009 Human History of the Site The Hollow Rock area has a long and colorful history of use. With its rich bottomland soils and clean streams the Hollow Rock area supported abundant wildlife and was well suited to agricultural uses. Native Americans traversed this area and established a substantial community. Europeans also settled and gradually the trading paths became roads, including present -day Erwin Road. During the 19th century the Patterson family established a prominent mill near this crossroads, and by the turn of the 20th century the Hollow Rock store had become a popular gathering place. Although the last store building was demolished in the early 1990s the area retains a strong sense of place, due in part to the forest management program by Duke University and to the strong community presence from surrounding residents. The name "Hollow Rock" comes from an unusual sandstone rock outcrop located along the bank of New Hope Creek, north of the Erwin Road crossing and north of the planning area. The rock has been carved out over time by flow of the river. A popular Duke Forest trail brings many visitors to this site, especially in late spring when the rhododendron is in bloom. South of Erwin Road, another interesting rock outcrop —the "Hanging Rock " — extends out from the bank over New Hope Creek. The land for the Hollow Rock Access Area was acquired in a series of transactions from 2001 -08. Funding for land acquisition came from the State of North Carolina, Durham County, Orange County, Town of Chapel Hill, City of Durham, Triangle Land Conservancy and Erwin Area Neighborhood Group (EANG), which raised private funds for purchasing land. Duke University was also an important partner, as were other private landowners who conserved portions of their land along New Hope Creek.