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| Hutchinson Homestead at Stone Mountain State Park © Katrena |
When visiting Stone Mountain State Park, staff members recommended that we hike by the Hutchinson homestead while on the Stone Mountain loop trail. Stone Mountain State Park is located in Wilkes and Alleghany counties in North Carolina near Elkin.
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| Homestead along the loop trail at Stone Mountain State Park © Katrena |
We parked in the lower trailhead parking lot and began hiking the loop trail from that point. We decided to take the split on the left side and hiked part of the way on a road that leads to the homestead. Those who have mobility limitations may drive up that road and park very close to the homestead. You can see the edge of the parking just to the left and behind the cabin photo at the top of this article.
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| See old farmhouse & barn & farm machinery in North Carolina © Katrena |
The homestead includes quite a few buildings that have been well-maintained. Several people were visiting the area when we arrived. One group with several dogs mentioned that they had met a park ranger whose family had owned the homestead. He had told them all sorts of stories of visiting his grandparents and memories of activities his family enjoyed. He was not there on the day we visited, but what a wonderful opportunity that would be!
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| Stone Mountain State Park Hiking Trail in NC © Katrena |
Signs at the buildings include information about how the building and farm machinery were used. Just beyond the buildings is a small trail leading to a field with a tree and a few benches. From that area you can see the large stone face that heralds Stone Mountain's name. A plaque designating the area as a national landmark in 1975 is in the field closer to the rock beyond the homestead.
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| View of Stone Mountain from Hutchinson Homestead © Katrena |
The loop trail continues on from the trail if you keep walking straight back or you can cross a wooded bridge to the right of some of the buildings. When we visited the park, temperatures were in the high 90s, so we did not spend a lot of time in the sun, but I tried to capture a few pictures to share with all of you.
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| Scenic Hiking Trails in North Carolina |
I would love to visit the park again some time when the park ranger whose family owned the land is there to share his stories. The homestead has been well-preserved and the entire park is well-maintained.
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| Old Privy or Outhouse at Hutchinson Homestead at Stone Mountain State Park © Katrena |
Additional articles by Katrena
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| Homestead at Hiking Trail at Stone Mountain State Park © Katrena |
Thank you for visiting my Travel NC With Kids blog. Have you visited the Hutchinson homestead at Stone Mountain State Park? If so, what did you especially like?
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| Fun Family Activities in Wilkes County and Alleghany County in NC © Katrena |
UPDATE 11/15/2018
I received this note in my email and would like to share the information below and thanks so much for reading my blog and sharing your story with me, Mr. Hutchinson!
I read your blog and wanted to let you know about my campground joining the southern border of Stone Mountain State Park. While walking the loop trail, at the trail branch off saying to the middle and lower falls. You can get here by going on down to the lower falls, then onto the horse trail and there is a unmarked branch off to my campground, a 12 minute walk below the lower falls, or look for the sign 1 1/2 miles up longbottom before the park entrance. I just wanted to tell you because you talking about the Ranger telling you about the Hutchison Homestead. The Homestead was my Grandfather's, my Father, Sylvester Allen Hutchinson was born in that house. The visitors center, the hill top and cook out shelters, fire pits, etc., all the way down that side of the mountain to the hollow was my Mothers birth place. The park took the cabin down. My Father bought this farm back in '44 for everyone to walk back and forth to visit. We had a poultry farm here for 42 years. I had a dairy for 23 years and made cheese on the farm for 10 years. I got disabled from injuries on the farm in 2013 and currently run the campground with the help of my sister that lives in State Road. We have only been open just long enough for everyone to just start finding out that we are here. I just wanted to let you know we are here, if you know any way to let people know about us it would help greatly. Let me know if you have any questions. The name is Sandy Creek Family Campground and mine is Barry Hutchinson.
Sincerely,
Barry Hutchinson,
Sandy Creek Family Campground
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