Wilson Creek (North Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wilson Creek |
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Wilson Creek
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Type: | Wild, Scenic, Recreational |
| Designated: | August 18, 2000 |
Wilson Creek is a special river area located in the Pisgah National Forest in Caldwell County, North Carolina. The creek starts high up on Calloway Peak. It flows for 23 miles before joining the John's River.
On August 18, 2000, Wilson Creek became part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This means it is protected for its natural beauty and special features. Parts of the creek are given different labels:
- Wild: 4.6 miles where the river is untouched and natural.
- Scenic: 2.9 miles where the river flows through beautiful landscapes.
- Recreational: 15.8 miles where people can enjoy activities like fishing and swimming.
Contents
Discovering Wilson Creek's Past
The Wilson Creek area has a rich history. Long ago, the Cherokee Indians used this wilderness as a place to hunt during the summer. Later, around 1750, settlers arrived. They began to cut down the many trees in the dense forests.
Mortimer: A Town Shaped by Water
Mortimer was once the biggest town in the Wilson Creek area. It was home to the Ritter Lumber Company sawmill. In July 1916, a huge flood hit Mortimer. Over 20 inches of rain fell in just 24 hours. The ground was already wet from earlier rains, and heavy logging made the water rush even faster through the gorge. The sawmill was destroyed.
After a year, people worked hard to rebuild. The sawmill came back, along with a textile mill. A railroad line helped connect the community. These mills provided jobs for about 800 people. If Mortimer still existed, it would be the main town of Caldwell County. Today, Lenoir, North Carolina is the county seat.
However, another massive flood struck on August 13, 1940. Wilson Creek rose over 90 feet! This flood ended all efforts to bring industry back. The area became almost empty. You can still see the concrete remains of the old buildings in a park. Only a few homes and residents remain upstream at Edgemont. The US Forest Service now manages most of the downstream area for public use.
Fun Things to Do at Wilson Creek
The Wilson Creek area is a popular spot for outdoor adventures. Many hikers and nature lovers visit. There are lots of great places to fish, hike, and camp. You can set up your camp almost anywhere in the forest. Just make sure you are at least 100 feet away from any water. The Wilson Creek Gorge area is perfect for day trips, but parking can be limited.
Camping Adventures
There are a few campgrounds in the Wilson Creek area for you to enjoy.
Mortimer Campground
Mortimer Campground is a simple but beautiful place to camp. It is about 10 miles up the mountain from Brown Mountain Beach. The Forest Service runs this campground. It is open from April 1 to October 31. There are 23 spots for tents and small campers. Each spot has a fire ring and a picnic table. There are also two bathhouses with flushing toilets and showers. The fee is $10.00 per night.
Brown Mountain Beach Resort
Brown Mountain Beach Resort is located near the Blue Ridge Mountains. It offers both camping spots and cabins for rent.
Betsey's Ole Country Store
In 1924, when Mortimer was a busy logging town, a small store was built. It was at the corner of what are now N.C. 90 and Brown Mountain Beach Road. It served as a general store and post office.
Betsey's Ole Country Store is tucked away deep in the woods of the Wilson Creek area. It is close to Mortimer campground and the old Civilian Conservation Corps headquarters. This small store has seen a lot of history. It even survived the 1940 flood that washed away almost the entire town!
Mr. Dupree built the store. Since then, many different people have owned it. Bruce Gray is the current owner. Driving the dirt roads to get to the store feels like stepping back in time. When you arrive, it feels welcoming and friendly. It is a place where you feel like part of a community, even if you just met the staff. The store appears in old black-and-white photos of the town. Today, it looks much the same, but now it has added camping and a trout pond.
Activities to Enjoy
- Camping
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Geocaching
- Mountain Biking
