Merchants Millpond State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Merchants Millpond State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Cypress trees at Merchants Millpond State Park
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 Merchants Millpond State Park
Location in North Carolina
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| Location | Gates, North Carolina, United States |
| Area | 3,520 acres (14.2 km2) |
| Elevation | 36 ft (11 m) |
| Established | 1973 |
| Governing body | North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation |
Merchants Millpond State Park is a special place in Gates County, North Carolina, United States. It's a state park located near Gatesville. This park covers about 3,520 acres (14.2 km²) of land. A big part of the park is a 200-year-old millpond and Lassiter Swamp. The millpond itself is about 700 acres (2.8 km²).
One of the most popular things to do here is canoeing. You can explore the quiet waters and large cypress swamps. If you visit, keep an eye out for alligators! They live in the park's swamps.
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History of Merchants Millpond State Park
People started settling in the Gates County area a long time ago, around 1660. The early communities were mostly farmers and lumberjacks. They needed ways to process their crops and wood.
How the Millponds Helped Early Settlers
In the early 1700s, a place called Hunters Millpond was built. It was located at the start of Bennetts Creek. This millpond helped people process and sell their farm goods. Sadly, this millpond was destroyed in 1922 when a highway was built.
But another millpond, Norfleets Millpond, built in 1811, kept going strong. This area became a busy center for trade in Gates County. It had gristmills (for grinding grain), a sawmill (for cutting wood), and even a farm supply store. Because it was such a hub for merchants, the pond became known as Merchants Millpond.
Becoming a State Park
Operations around the millpond stopped just before World War II. The mill owners sold the land to developers. In the 1960s, a man named A.B. Coleman bought the property. He later gave 919 acres (3.7 km²), including the millpond, to the state of North Carolina.
Thanks to his generous gift, Merchants Millpond State Park was created in 1973. In the same year, another group called the Nature Conservancy added 925 acres (3.7 km²) of woodlands to the park. Today, the park is more than 3,250 acres (13.2 km²) in size.
Wildlife and Nature at the Park
Merchants Millpond State Park is famous for its unique natural environment. It has large cypress swamps and a historic millpond. These areas are home to many different kinds of plants and animals.
What Animals Live Here?
The park is well-known for its alligators. These large reptiles live in the park's swamps. You might also see various birds, turtles, and other wildlife that thrive in wetland habitats.
Exploring the Cypress Swamps
The park's cypress swamps are very old and beautiful. They are filled with tall cypress trees that grow right out of the water. Canoeing through these swamps is a great way to see the unique plant life up close. It feels like you're exploring a different world!
