Winter 2026

• Volunteers have been doing our annual winter clearing of the homesites in Front Hollow, Back Hollow, and the Azalea Trail. This involves trimming back the briars and small shrubs that would otherwise hide these sites from view.
• In late winter we’ll do our annual “blowing of the daffodils”, where we use blowers to clear the leaves that smother the underground daffodils that will be rising in spring. We’ve followed this strategy for 3 years and it’s showing results! By effectively extending their growing period, the daffodils are coming up taller, thicker, and with more blooms. Remember, some of these daffodils are over 150 years old, so we want to make sure they survive and thrive!
• Two guided hikes have been offered and both are sold out again!

Winter 2025 – We offered 3 guided history hikes this winter and all of them sold out! It’s so much fun to share the history of this mountain with people who love this place as much as we do!

Jan 2025 – Since 2024 was a year of researching and clearing sites in Front Hollow, 2025 is the year of Back Hollow! Volunteers have been exploring and (re)discovering sites in that area. They’re also gathering info and stories from someone who grew up hunting and camping in Back Hollow in the 1950s and 60s. More to come…

Fall 2024 – The old Quillen homesite near the western end of Front Hollow has been cleaned up by History Committee volunteers.

Summer 2024 – Historical “daffodil” signs have been placed at the Ledbetter site in Front Hollow and the McClain site on Azalea Trail. Another sign was place at the Moonshine Still on Chinquapin Trail. Also, simple “homesite” signs have been placed at the Ledbetter site, the Gragg site on Lake Rd (west), the McClain site, and the Dolen Shed site on Lake Rd.

Spring 2024 – The History Committee has been busy this past winter exploring, clearing, and documenting old homesites in Front Hollow. If you hike/bike out there you might see 4 sites that were recently cleared, including an earthen dam at the Ledbetter site. Click here to see what they’ve identified!

Sep 2023 – After discovering a 1978 audio cassette interview with John and Ollie Quillen, MANY new facts and stories have been learned and documented!

• The dam cracked and leaked after the first year of construction, requiring the columns/steps (“braces”) to be added in the second year
• The spillway has an odd rock that isn’t aligned with the others. Can you find it? John Quillen told us who did it and why there’s a $100 bounty on that rock!
• About 1 week after the dam was finished and water was filling the reservoir, someone secretly opened the valve, letting the water back out. Who? Why? (Hint: they had a very good/honorable reason!)

  Come to our history talks to hear these new stories and more!