COASTLINES VOLUME 19 // ISSUE 1 // Spring 2019
Digging deeper at site X
To: North Carolinians From: The Coastal Land Trust Over the past couple of years, we’ve talked a lot about an incredibly beautiful, very special piece of land in Bertie County, NC, on Salmon Creek, which includes “Site X”. Here are the highlights: •
First, it went on the market, permitted for 2,800 units and a 212-slip marina YIKES!
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Then, we took out a loan and bought it - YAY!
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Next, we wrote (and received!) 2 federal, 3 state, and 1 corporate grants to pay off the loan in just over a year OH YEAH!
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In the meantime, archaeologists found even more treasures on the land, telling pieces of the story of Native Algonquins who once lived there, as well as the possibility that some Lost Colonists also settled there once - WOW!
And now, we are proud to give this land as a gift to North Carolinians - 1,000 acres of land holding many historically, archaeologically, and ecologically significant features to create the Salmon Creek State Natural Area HURRAY!
www.CoastalLandTrust.org
Clay Swindell explains Site X excavations at First Colony Foundation archaeological excavation work at Site X, Merry Hill, Bertie County, September – early October, 2018.
Unearthing Mysteries of Site X By Lee L. Leidy, Coastal Land Trust Northeast Region Director
along 3 ½ miles of Salmon Creek was an ecological and historical gem.
Hot, humid weather did not deter First Colony Foundation (FCF) archaeologists working to uncover 400-year old clues to the mystery of the Lost Colony at the Coastal Land Trust’s “Site X” in October. The Coastal Land Trust knew this 995-acre Bertie County property
Not only recognized as ecologically significant by North Carolina’s Natural Heritage Program, the property had historical significance as the location of Governor Thomas Pollock’s home (Bal Gra), “Site X” Excavations, continued on page 4
N.
Site X Becomes A State Natural Area In November, 2018, the Coastal Land Trust completed the transfer of the Salmon Creek tract (location of Site X) to the State of North Carolina to be managed by the North Carolina Division of Parks and recreation as a State Natural Area. The area will be known as the Salmon Creek Natural Area. The property transfer was completed thanks to funds awarded by the N.C. Clean
Water Management Trust Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, N.C. Attorney General’s Environmental Enhancement Grant Fund, N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, the Enviva Forest Conservation Fund and the U.S. Department of Defense. “The Salmon Creek property stands out due to its rich cultural history, truly pristine ecosystems and unique archaeological
resources,” said Susi Hamilton, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “We are grateful for the tireless work of the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust and all of the partners in funding this project. We look forward to offering this new state natural area in Bertie County, a beautiful part of our state currently underserved by our state parks system.”
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