I call them obscure since they are offtrail in and in an area not often visited. Within about 20 minutes of Tot Hill, not far off the Birkhead Mountain Trail is this chimney right next to a small creek. How long will it remain standing? Hmm, looks like not long. It is a small spot and does not appear to have been a farm due to the terrain.
This area is bisected by a tract of private property which was just timbered late last year. Part of this private tract was purchased by Three Rivers Land Trust and is destined to transfer to the Uwharrie National Forest in the future. It includes at least 1/2 mile of the Birkhead Mountain Trail and part of Coolers Knob. The north slope of Coolers Knob remained private and was part of this timber cut. I tried to locate the plane wreckage but assume it got swallowed up in the timber cut.
The next two homesites are well onto Forest Service property. According to Joe Moffitt's book, one of these is likely to be the "Old Game Farm". In the 1930s many of the birds and animals in the game farm, escaped including a Black Panther. Joe writes that he met up with the cat a few times and even treed it once. It jumped out of the tree and the dogs were afraid to chase it.
This place has a nice chimney and a number of Yucca plants in the yard.
The third homesite, is just a pile of rocks and some daffodils now. I tried to locate the fourth homesite I know is in the area. That one eluded me. I guess it is time to gps these places.
Magic Sourwood
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