NP~ FOO'n '0-000 (R<ov. ~)

U National Park Service

0418 No. /(J:;{4-00 111

This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations of eligibility for individual properties or districts. See instructions in Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms (National Register Bulletin 16). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the requested information. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicab/.e." For functions, styles, materials, and areas of significance, enter only the categories and subcategories listed in the instructions. For additional space use continuation sheBts (Form 10-900a). Type all entries.

1. Name of Property historic name Balls Creek Campground

other names/site number

2. Location street & number W s ide of SR 1003 , . 1 mi. S of SR 1943 city, town Bandy's Cros sroads

state North Carolina code NC county Catawba

Ownership of Property

rn private

D public-local o public-State o public-Federal

Category of Property

o building(s)

~ district "" Dsite

o structure

Dobject

tU.A not for publication

LX] vicinity

code 035 zip code 28609

Number of Resources within Proporty

Contributing Noncontributing 138_ _~ __ buildings

__ 1__ _ __ sites

139

___ structures ___ objects

154 Total

Name of related multiple property listing: Number of contributing resources previously Histor ic & Architectural Resources listGd in the National Rflgistef __ !l. ___ _ ~ Catawba ~unty _________________________ ~ 1:_.State/Federal Agency Certifi~_a_ti_o_n _______________ _

r-A~- the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify tt,at th';;----l

I ~ nomination 0 request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the ! National Register of Historic Places nd meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my the p e y ts 0 does not meet the National Register criteria. 0 Sea continuation sheet.

.' 2-28-90 Date

I State or Federal agency and bureau ---------------~ In my opinion, the property 0 meets 0 does not meet the National Register criteria. 0 Soo continuation sheBt.

Signature ot commenting or other oNicial Date

1 I

I ~_S_ta_t_e_o_r_F_ed __ e_ra_l_a_g_en_c~y-a-n-d-b-u-r-ea-u--___________________________________________________________________ ~

5. National Park Service Certification I, hereby, certify that this property is:

o entered in the National Register. o SeB continuation sheet.

[J determined eligible for the National

Register. 0 See continuation sheet.

o determined not eligible for the

I~ational Register.

o removed from the National Regi~ter. o other, (explain:)

Signature of the Keeper Date of Action

) Catawba , 1\.C.

Religion: Religious structure Religion: Religious structure Domestic: camp Domestic: camp

Architectural Materials (enter instructions) (enter categories from instructions)

foundation _...::c:..::::o:..!.;n~c:...=r...::e:...:t:..::e=--__ , _________ _ Other: camp meeting site walls ___ -=-w:..:::o:..::::o:..::::d~ _____________ _

asvhalt roof metal other wood

stone

Describe present and historic physical appearance.

The Balls Creek Caopground, located just south of the viI­I age 0 f 8 and y I S C r 0 s s r 0 ads 0 n S R 1 0 0 3 r i sac ire a 'I 8 5 3 IV! e tho dis t camp meeting site designed for the annual, eight-day long camp me e tin g rev i val w h -I c h has t a ken p 1 ace n ear -I y eve r y yea r wit h 0 u t exception since the mid-nineteenth century. The 33.1 acre com-

, p 1 ex con sis t s 0 fan 0 pen - air II arb 0 r 1\ t 2 9 2 II ten t s 1\, a s tor' e , a small frame building referr(3d to as the "jail," a cinderblock well-house; and five cinderblock restrooms,

The overall integrity lS generally good, due to yearly m a i n ten 2. nee on the sit e _ The -, n t e 9 r" it V 0 f the ten t sis a com p I i -cated issue in that though approximately 143 tents are believed to have been built before 1939, the nature of the site is contin­u ally c h a f~: gin g - T' he ten t s are 0 f t r' a d 1 t ion aid e s i gil, and h a v (~ bee n r' en e y.J e do,'" e 'y' e n reb u -j -j tat i n t e r va ,I s, but s t: ill wit h t :" a d i -­t-lonal mater'iD'ls and using the distinct,ive deslgn of this archi-' tectural type. Upon visiting the site, it is difficult to estab­lish the date of most of the tents merely by examining materials and design. Thus the integrity of the site remains strong due to its ass,ociation with the traditional camp meeting and its feeling of traditional place, setting and design.

Arbor Circa 1930 (IIA" on attached HA8S Map :J:t:'I) (Also see HA8S Map :J:t:2, Arbor Plan) Contributing

T' he arb 0 r , ash e 1 t e r for 0 pen - air rev -j val me e t -j n g s , i s a square, open pole structure which was constructed circa 1930 to replace an earlier, similar arbor. The building, measuring approximately 80 by 100 feet, is constructed of many square cut wood poles, secured upright in the ground to support a large, roughly pyramidal roof, which rises approximately 25 feet at the center. Un the top-center of the roof, whlch is covered with raised-seam metal roofing, is a box-shaped, -louvered belfry, with its own pyramidal roof.

'Fhe arbor is open, without walls, on the north, east and

o S&e continuation sheet

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Balls Creek Campground Catawba County, N.C.

south sides. The west side is protected its full length by a flat-sheathed frame wall. An elevated, wooden platform projects out beyond the west wall and is edged on the north side by a low simple wood rail containing the pulpit. Directly to the north of the pulpit two rows of choir pews share the platform, facing south. 80th the choir and the pulpit have round, flat, sounding-boards suspended over them.

The floor of the ~rbor, though at one time covered with wood shavings, is no~ poured concrete. The floor slants, with the highest level along the east edge, sloping downward to the pulpit to the west. 'rhe wood-slat, constructed pews are arranged in three sections: a double wide center section, and single wide outer sections wi,th tl,!JO aisles separa'ting' t:ne center and ou'ter' sections.

'r he a r' b 0 r' has two 5 he d sat t a c h 8 d tot hE.! iAJ est., 0 U t sid e ',"'" a 'j I , which have access both from the pulpit platform and the' outside. r hey a p pea r t 0 be use c1 for s to,' age .

Tents 18!:)Os to present <: :t+ 1 - 3 0 2 0 nat t a c he d H A 8 SMa p # 'I ) (Also see HA8S Maps #3, Tent Elevations, and #4-5, Tent Floor Plans) See Map #1 for contributing/noncontributing and tent number­ing sequence.

The tents at Balls Creek are constructed in rows, not unlike rowhouses, with common walls between them. The rows follow the pattern of the arbor, creating two full concentric squares around the centrally located arbor, with portions of a third and a fourth square on the north and south sides. The tents share common walls, with the strands of tents accumulating varying numbers, from as few as four to as many as twenty-four contiguous tents. The rows of tents break at corners ~nd centers and at other intervals to create streets and pathways around the grounds. One row of tents to the south breaks the pattern of outlining the arbor, creating a single row which is built perpen­dicular to the row to which it should logically lie parallel.

[he tents vary in age, from mid- to late nineteenth century, tot hen ear pre sen t. -, he 0 -I des t ten t, c i rca 'I 8 5:3 r i s bel i eve d t 0

be #22, on the south, inslde row, while the most recent tent was built within the last five years. About 130 tents were destroyed in a 1956 fire on the west side of the campground, however, most

Section number __ 7 _ Page 2 Balls Creek Campground Catawba , N.C.

of ~hem were rebuilt according to the original designs using traditional materials within the next ten years. The oldest tents appear to be in the inner rows on the north, east and south

.sides. The newest tents appear to be in the rows on the outer edges of the north and south sides which are partial squares. Accurate dating on each tent would be difficult, as the individu­al tent Hown~rsJl are constantly refurbishing their tents every year, often reusing old wood in their repairs. Before the 1956 fire almost none of the tents were painted, however, after the fire many individ0al owners began painting the exteriors of the -t en t s , res u I t i _ n gin row s 0 f b rig h t I y color edt en t s , i n g r e ens , golds, pinks, beiges and such;_

lndi;vidual tents var~~, slighJcly, in size and des-ign, h':ll,-l,lev-8 r, a 1 I f 0 . i I D liJ a bas -j c, t r' a d -j t ion a I f ram e con s tr' u c; t ion rne t n D dan d p ~I an_ The s tan dar' d ci e~? i 9 n i s a r' e c t -a ('I 9 -j e I W -; t h -t he en t r- i':! nee i n the n G r' r' 0 Ct.) end f a. c ~ n 9 the arb c r' I C) n ~3 -- and -. D n e _. h a -; f -s tor 1 e s h ., Q h , yo) -i 'c hag a b -I e roc f ran d a S l n 9 I e f ('on 'to d 00 r' a nod ;::.; i n 9 1 e b a c l-< cj 0 Q r' >

-f her ear _8·, r, 0 ,I( i n dow s: \/ '3 n t -; 1 a t -i 0 n i s t h (' 0 U ':j h yJ 0 0 den s I a t soc Cup y --~ !) 9 the· u p per V'!'::I 1 -I a r~ e a 0 f e a c h st 0 j-' y _ I t--: e sea res 0 in e t 1 m e ~:; c u V (3 red '0 nth e ins -j dew 1 t: h s c r' e en \11) ire . -/ .. he t E.~ nth a s a I 0 1,1-,:

foundatlon, usua-Ily concr'ete block, vrith frame sided wa-:-Is and a metal roof with exposed rafter ends. A one story shed porch suppported by plain wooden posts shelters the front. These form a continuous arcade the entire length of each section of each row. The walkway is often furnished with a bench built into the wa-ll t or a porch swing suspended from the walkway r'oof.

tion on are few

Slight variations from this type occur, including of the upper f:;tory out ovel~ the lower front wall,

po s t san d c r' eat i n gar e c e sse d po r c h . 0 the r s -, din 9 asphalt slding and a few examples of permastone

of the newer tents are built of concrete block.

a projec­supported materials

siding. A

-The floor plan consists of one room on the flrst floQr, ser'ving as 1 iving room and ki tchen, and partitloned spaces up­stairs servlng as sleeping areas. All tents have running water to kitchen sinks, and electricity. Most tents are furnished wlth a few beds or mattresses, a table, a few chairs, and an cld ref r' i 9 era tor "

Store c.:i rca "1940 ( :I E3 II 0 n H A 8 S rr"'), Con t rib uti n g

Ihe 5 tor·e, ca -, -, ed "I he ~hac k" by camprneet i ng at tendan ts , l S

Section number __ 7_ Page __ 3_ Balls Creek Campground

a circa 1940 one story frame building with a tin gable roof, and a row of northeast facing window openings which are covered by top-hinged wooden shutters, which may be lowered when the store is closed. An outside shelf counter runs along the north-east length of the building, directly under the windows.

Jail Late 19th/Early 20th century (IIC II on HA8S Map t1:'l), Contributing

This sma I I, wood frame bui lding was bui -It to function as a j ail for vi 0 1 a tor s" 0 f cam p g r 0 un d 1 a w S I and i s bel lev edt 0 d ate from the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. It has a gable roof, one door and two &r;na1', framed windows. 'The wood is unpainted.

IRes t: If' oon.rms IV! 0 d i:-J r' n ( II () _ H iI 0 n H A E~ ~~. iV! a p It 'I .), Non con t r l but i n 9

Five modern cinder-block restrooms are on the property, two west of the complex, and three east of the ccmple~, east ot SR '1003. rhey" have tin' ('oofs, cinder'-block walls, coner-ste f-ioor's and rn eta 1 door san d . win do w s . 'r hey e a c h c: 0 n t a ~ II rr: 0 d ern p 1 u rn bin 9 f a c iii t l e s . A l"j we reb u l -I t wit h i nth e I a s t 2 0 yea r S .

lPuHmp-ihouse C ire a "9 6 0 ("I" on HA8S Map tt'l), Noncontributing

Southw~st of the complex of tents is the or1ginal well for the property, which 1s now covered by a cinderblock pumphouse, built In the last 30 years. It has a gable roof and one metal door, with hurricane fencing around the entire bUllding.

Ca~p ~eeting Site ( " J " on at t a c he d S k etc h Ivl a p), Con t r i but i n g

The land associated with the 8alls Creek Camp Meeting site is somewhat park-like in its landscaping. There 1S an abundance of large oak trees in the immediate area around the arbor, with other naturally growing trees around the tent areas. To the east of the central arbor/tent area, across SR 1003, 1S a grove of trees. Also, to the west of the central activity area there are groves of trees. A permanent, paved road enters the campmeetlng site from two places to the south on SR 1003, and extends up to the arbor. An unimproved, gr-avel road circles ar~':.'ur.d the west slde of the site. Many picnic tables can be fOU0d scattered along the grassy areas adjacent to the roads and tents.

Balls Creek Campground, N.C.

o nationally o statewide []J locally

Applicable National Register Criteria og A 0 B og cOO

Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) 0 A 0 B 0 cOO 0 E D F D G

Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Religion Architecture Social Histort·-

Significant Person N/A

Period of Significance 1853-1939

Cultural Affiliation

ArchitecUBuilder

'i./A

Significant Dates 1853

Unknown; Various

State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of signtficance noted above.

SWTUnary

Balls Creek camp;JYound, in ea..st-central rural Catawba County south of the '<Ti llag-e of Bandy I s Crossroads, is a 33. 1 acre complex of armr and surroUnding tents, and is bel ieved to l::::€ one of the largest reI igious campgrounds in the southern Uni ted states. It v~as establ ished by area MethcxlJ.sts in 1853. A late offspr ing of the Great Revi val movement which swept acra:::s the 2?0uth in the early nineteenth century, Balls creek Camp.;jYound ha.$ con t i nUe;] to flour i sh with con t i nu?. I i rnprovemen t s and main.tenance to the site. The vigilance of the participants is further exhibited in the incorf:orat ion of the site by a.."'1act of the North carolina state Legislature in 1879 allowing trustees certain governing and policing powers during camp meeting week, and in the consistent yearly meetings up to the present. Beyond the extremely important reI igious as:pects of the week-long camp meeting, the site and its yearly event have exceptionally important sccial and cuI tural impl icat ions to the people who attend. Many participants in the Balls Creek Camp Meeting have been coming since they were chi Idren, and many fami 1 ies who have attended considered camp meeting week their vacation time.' Since the 1930s the closing session at Balls Creek Camp Meeting has drawn up to 10,000 worshipers annually. The Balls Creek Camrground, as an important religious meeting site, is significant within the Historic Context "Religion of catawba County, 1745-1939," under Criterion A. Balls Creek campground also is eligible under Criterion A for Social History, the context of which is illuminated in the "Religion of catawba County" context discussion which emphasizes the so::ial dimension of camp meetings. The armr, tents and asscciated buildings display the distinctive characteristics of camp meeting architecture and are signifi­cant under Criterion C within the Property S\}btype "Camp Meeting Sites." The property meets the registration requirements for Criteria Consideration A as a religious property deriving primary significance from architectural distinction and historical importance.

6CJ See cootinuatioo ~t

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Section number _....:::8'----_ P age _-=1,--_ Balls Creek Campground Catawba County, N.C.

The Balls Creek Camp Meeting Ground in southeastern Catawba County has been the site of weeklong Methodist revivals almost every August since 1853. Located eight miles east of the county seat of Newton, the campground lies about one-quarter mile east of Balls Creek, a tributary of the Catawba River. 1 Although its establishment postdates the Great Revival and other camp meeting grounds by fifty years: Balls Creek is nevertheless important to the history of 'Methodism in North Carolina. Apart from its religious significance Balls Creek Campground has been a tremen­dously important social and "Cjultural institution for the county and region. The sheer size and continuity (to the present day) lend Balls Creek particular significance. The Methodist camp­ground, with attendence exceeding 10,000 during most years in the twentieth century. is the largest of its kind in North Carolina and is believed to be one of the largest in the southern United States.

The physical plant at Balls Creek covers a large part of a 33.1 acre tra~t. 1he basic layout, which may at first seem mazelike, is actually rather simple. At the center of the camp­ground is the arbor, originally made of brush. Before the meet­ing. in 1854 a crew led by Alexander Lineberger and Lawson Law­rence built a permanent wooden arbor measuring sixty feet by eighty feet. The structure stood in the center of a 500 square­foot clea~ed area. Open on three sides, the arbor featured a wall behind the pulpit and split log seats for the congregation. Later in the nineteenth century twelve foot eaves were added to each side bringing the total dimensions of the arbor to eighty­four by one hundred and four feet. 2 The original arbor no longer stands. It was torn down in the 1930s and replaced by the present arbor of similar size and design. 3 Some of the earliest of the surrounding cablns, or "tents" were b~i lt for use by the pre a c her sin the 'I 8 5 Os and s til 1st and . The n u m be r 0 f " ten t s II

grew from twelve at the first meeting to 260 a century later. Whereas the earliest structures were free-standing, in time almost all were attached to make rows of housing units. Most "tents" were one or two rooms with a kitchen/shed in the rear. Most were unpainted with a tin roof. As the years passed, cook­ing could be done inside with the introduction of electricity, straw or dirt floors were replaced with cement, outdoor toilets were rendered unnecessary with running water, and straw ticks were generally replaced by mattr~sses.4 About half of the " ten t s II we red est roy e din a 'I 9 5 6 f i r-' e . A nat u r a I s p r i n 9 0 nth e

United States Department of the Interior National Park Service

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Section number __ 8_ Page 2 Balls Creek Campground Catawba County, N.C.

property, enclosed by concrete since 1910, saved the day, bling firefighters to limit the damage and protect the arbor other cabins. 5

The land upon which 8alls Creek Camp Meeting Ground located was acqu i red by trustees on August 1 'l, 1854, one after the initial convocation. 8. 8. Smith, James Keever, John Marshall paid thirty-five dollars for a thirty-five tract. 6

ena­and

is year and

acre

Ministers at the first meeting in 1853 were H. H. Durant and Lewis Scarborough. Meetings~~ince that time have been continuous with a few exceptions. Services were suspended in 1863 at the height -of the Civil War. In 1888 no camp meeting was held be­cause c: M. Gentry, a local minister, objected to that particular' for> In 0 f W 0 r s hip. Me e tin 9 s we rea 1 so sus pen d e d d u r' i n g Wo rid War' I]. '( Otherwise iVlethodists and those of other denominations have f i 0 eke d '. to 8 a 1 'I s ere eke v e r y yea r bet v{ e e nth e t: h i r'" dan d f 0 u r t h Sundays in August. Preaching and singing have generally occupied m 0 s t 0 f .. t he day" wit h s e r vic e sat "0: 0 0, 2: 0 0, and 4: U 0 0 ; C 1 0 c k . For the nighttime service, which commenced at 7:45, the arbor was lit by pine knots, tal-low candles, and in later years, by elec­tricity. Contrary to popular belief, there was little dancing and. s h 0 uti II g d uri n g the s e (' vic e . A c cor din g t 0 J 0 urn ali s tea r 1 Goerch,who spent a week on the grounds in "'946, there was no "ranting and raving" from the preachers. Rather, they offered stern, sobe~ing sermons. According to a contemporary historian, the same assessment'applies to the nineteenth century. Dickson D. Bruce, Jr., in a book on revival ism, contends that the repre­sentation of the cam~ meeting as an "extended emotional org')!1: has no basis in fact. A portion of the arbor was reserved for slaves during the 18505. Methodists had traditionally welcomed blacks into their ranks. Two nearby black campgrounds, McKenzies Grove and Matt's Grove, both had their ~eginnings at 8alls Creek. 9

In addition to serving as a religious meeting, 8alls Creek was in a number of ways a social gathering. Indeed, at tlmes over the years, the secular aspects of the August convocation have threatened to overshadow the religious aspects. Certainly, from the beginning, camp meeting time was looked forward to with considerable anticipation. In a chiefly rural area such as the Catawba Valley, where the population was sparse and the work hard, it was a welcome occasion to renew acquaintances and a respite before harvest season. Yet, with the building of more

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local churches, the religious function of the camp meeting was in some ways changed. Some saw the third week in August as their annual vacation. For these the cabin or "tent" was their' second home. For many the time served as an occasion for reunion wlth family and friends. In fact, over the years the grounds have been used for family reunions during the off season. For a few, Balls Creek was a political gathering, a chance to further their own partisan purposes. In some respects the camp meeting slnce its earl iest days has been an extended picnic. "Great boxes and baskets of cakes, 'pies, jam, preserves, and jellies," plus sides of beef and pork were brought to the grounds. Practically every­one did some cooking and those who had them brought their own cooks. 10 Finally, Balls Cre~k has gained something of a reputa­tion as a romantic trysting ground. Certainly the chances tor can t act',' 'N ere the r e . Aft e r din n e r the 0 Ide r f 0 I k s W 0 u 1 d sit i n front of their cabins while the younger ones promenaded around the squa re. Co r 1 Goerc h, su pposed t ha t hunG red of ma r' r i ages had res u -I ted fro m reI a t ion s hip sst rue kat 8 a I I s C r e e k . 'I lOt her a s -S8ssments of the goings-on at the camp were less charitable. CharlesMac~8il of the nearby Catawba community asserted that:

... the ten commandments wer~e broken right and left ... the young unmarried folks practised fornicatlon freely, and the married lusted after each others husbands and wives. " .Some regard campgrounds as sin harbors, s d'm e com pIe tel y dis reg a r d the pia c e, and so m e were completely enamoured with the place. Many older people in their eighties had never missed a campmeeting. Regard it as you like, all would admit that 8all Creek Campground was an institution. 1 2

Until recent years 8alls Creek, with its August population I

swelling to as many as 10,000, offered a challenge to Hickory and Newton as the largest "town" in Catawba County. Over the years three natural deaths and at least one birth have taken place during camp meeting week. In a gathering of such size the "bad element" was almost bound to intrude. In the year's following the Civil War there was a dramatic increase in the instances of drinking and the number of fistfights. Around 1870 the meeting time was even changed to the full moon period due to "acts of rowdyism commited under the cover of darkness." This did not solve the problem since a few years later Balls Creek's only murder took place when Joe 8lalock fatally stabbed Pink Aberna-

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thy. 1 3

In 1879 the state legislature passed an act to incorporate the Balls Creek Campground. The legislation specifically men­t ion s . the r e cur r i n 9 pro b 1 ems at the sit e . 8 y its t e r m s -\ twa s a misdemeanor, punishable by fifty dollars or thirty days in jail, to sel I liquor in the vicinity of the camp, exhibit public drunkeness, use loud or profane language, fire a gun or pistol, throw rocks into the ~rbor, upset a wagon or tent, destroy a harness or saddl~, render the spring unpure, make any loud or unusual noise, or "bring any lewd woman, knowing her to be such, into the limits of t:he incq.~pora·t";on. II The great variety of crimes specif~cally mentioned by the bill implies that they had been comfTiittea 1 not )ust irnagined by ·iawrnakers. Named as the trustE~8S of the COl' rY:)l"" a t "1 on' were IVI. 8. 'T'-'oll'inger', ,). It). Sigmon, V~. [. Jon e S, ~J 0 elf':: '1 she r, .j. ~1. L 0 Ii 9 r ,j.. L. G r 'j C f-;:l. t"l. A. S i ~ m 0 n , F . .A . f3 1 e ,3 k ! e ~/, D n d J. H. Ad e r' hoi d t . r- h e· y we r" e i n v 8 s t 8 d the power to apPoint special police. aharged to·keep the peace for the per' -; 0 d "-r r c ;"'n the a r r' i val 0 f t h E~ fir's t ve hie 1 e tot he d epa r -t u reo f t h 2 '. 1 a s tat a n ~l ell cam pm e r: t . " 1 4 " J\ c t s . 0 f r" 0 ~~/ d Y ism II a p Dar'" -ently declined in the tw~ntieth century_ In lY46 Carl Goerch C,i 0 m m e II de d cam per s for the i r I' ex eel 1 en t be h a v lor , II W h 1 1 e not 1 n g the rules against games of chance, noise, and radios and phono­graphs. 15

During his stay that year Goerch met J. E. Hodges, a Maiden veterlnarlah and author of a 1929 history of the campground, who apprised hlm of the 'luck campers had had with respect to fi reo

II Ins pi t e of t he fact t hat t he tents are b u i lt so c los ely tog e t h­er, welve never had a fire,1I he reported, adding, IInot a single ·t en t has bur ned dow n . II N eve r the -I e s s, asH 0 d 9 e s was min d f u 1 , the threat was ever-present with wooden buildings, a great many campers, and cooking done on the premises. Surprisingly, disas­ter struck during the off-season. On May 8, 1956, fire destroyed abo u t 1 30 (0 r h a -I f) 0 f the II ten t s lion the g r bun d s . The dam age was estlmated at $50,000 (or about $400 per unit). The arbor was not damaged by the fire, which engulfed the west side of the camp, destroying or injurlng many of the large trees. The four fire units whlch answered the call drew their water from the campls spring. A neighbor helped prevent the firels spread by digging a trench with his bulldozer. Stil" almost half of the cam p g r 0 un d was red u c e d ~ 0 II t w i s ted tin roo f san d Sill 0 Ide r i n g ruins .. " The trustees immediately announced that the meeting for August would be held as usual and laid plans to replace the des t roy e d s t r u c t u res. 1 6 In" 9 5 'I and "9 S 8 the t r u s tee sac q u l red

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Balls Creek Campground Catah1ba ConDty. N.C.

additional land for the campground. A series of new and more permanent "tents" were built in the ten years following the f i, r e. 1 '7 T his rap i d I" e b u i 1 din g i sin d i cat i ve 0 f the s pi r i t w hi c h has kept the campground operating, and indeed thriving, for nearly 140 years.

FOOTNO'TES

1 W ill i am S . POW e", } h e .bL9.T.t.b c ~u::g.1i.Q.~.. §_~.~.§,t .. t§,~.r:.,.. (C hap e -I H i 'I 1: 'r he U n i ve r sit ).' of Nor t- b Car 0 lin aPr e S S r '1 9 6 8 ) r 2 2 ; ~) . E . Hod 9 ,es r ,~ li.1.~.~ . .9.C,y' gf .[9.JJ..~ C r e§.!s ,~:,3D]J? ,~T.g .. ~LQ~-L .l.??_g_:J .. ~ _?$. r ( !'via i den r "? J: N, fJ., 1 9 2 9 ) run P a gin ate d . A C C '.J r din g' to a I 0 cal " e 9 en u the

c (' e (-3 k, and earn p 9 r 0 U n d we r e n a me d -'F 0 r' a h 0 f' s e r c; all e d 8 a 1 '1 I 8 aid , or 8:ald).i, ~1j~!lCh rni:'.-ac1 'in the stream and d'iecl.

'2Hodges ~ Jj.t§ .. ~~.9..c.Y ... gf .~.9JJ __ ~ .g.C.§,§.~; Char' 1 es J. P,"es'l ar J r'. ( e d . ) , /:. .tU _?:(q.~~.y g:f .9 .? .. t9..~~.!?..~ .g9..Y.D.t . .Y (S a -I i s tJ LJ r ~/ : R f) wan P r i n t 'i n 9 Corn pan :yo f 0 '1" t 1,'\ 2 Cat a \-1/ b a Co U :; t y His t D ric a'j As's 0 c i c t l 0 I: I '/ 9 54 ) , -, '! 4 . "

13 August 1938.

4Chal"les MacNei 1 r "Camprneetings" 'I 9 'l5 ) .

(unpublished typescript,

6Cata~i>Jba County Deed Book 11 r p. 6'1. The deed v.;as not re-cordedunti I 1878, the year before the campground was incorpor~at­

ed.

.., Hod g e s, .tU .. §.~.9.r:.Y. .9.f .~.9J..J .. §. .g.c.§.§.k .. t. .Ib.§ .§.!..9..~ .. §, 1 3 Aug u s t H.t~.k9J-:Y J!..9.JJy .R.§.g .. 9.C.9., 1 S e pte m be r '1 9 6 5 .

-1938;

8Tb.§ .§.~_<?_i;.:.§, 3 1 Aug u s t 1 9 4 6 ; 0 i c k son D. 8 rue e, Jr., An.9. I.b.§.Y. AJ .. J .$..9.0 .. 9 .t!.9JJ._E?J.~ .. J..~.b.L... .2J .. 9 .. t~ £QJ..k .g.3.m.f?.=.~.§.§,!.J..~.g .B.§J..t9.J..9D .. c ..1 .. 9 .. Q.Q.=J .. ~_~.~. (Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1974), 53.

1 0MacNe i I I ,. Campmeet i ngs" ;

1 '/ J.b.~ ~~ .. 9 .. ~ .. § I 3 '/ Aug u s t 1 S 4 6 .

United States Department of the Interior National Park Service

N ti t r t .

ric lac ti t

Section number __ 8 __ Page __ ~_ Balls Creek Campground Catawba County, N.C.

1 2MacNe-i 1, "Campmeet i ngs . "

14North .Carolina General Assembly, ,~_9.~_~,,, ,9tlSL, .8,§_§gJ,,~.! __ t?.r:L§ (1879), 628-629.

1 5 J he ,§,!_9.!.§, 3 -I Aug us t 1 9 4 6 .

1 6 ( New ton) Q,p',§,§,C'y',§J:',,=.t':L§,~,§,=,~n,!,,~,cJ?.r.j_~,§, 9 May 1 9 5 6 .

1 '7 C a ta w b a Co un t y Dee d 800 ~: 5 5 8, p p. 4 5 3 a!! d 6 " 5 ; ",

.Q,~jJ .. Y. ,B,§g.9.I.:,g, 1 9 .J u 1)1 'I 9 6 6 .

()A.J 8 ,A,ppn:Nlw No , 021."-00 , 8

United States Department of the Interior Nation"al Park Service

t r t ric ti t

Section number _----"9'--_ P a 9 8 _.-.::1::..-_

lac

Balls Creek Campground Catawba County, N.C.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

8 r u ~ e, Die k son D., Jr. And .Ib.§.~ .6J J. s 9.D.9 .t:!'~.JJ .. ?J.~.J"9JJ .. : ... ,, .2.J..9.JD .. ::f.9..J..k .g.~.~J?.:.t1.§:.§.!.i.f}.9 .B.§:.J.J.9.J..gL!.L J..g.g_Q.:J .. ~_4...?_.:__ K n 0 x v ill e : U n i ve r sit y 0 f Tennessee Press, '1974.

Catawba County Deeds. North Carolina State Archives.

Hod 9 e s , J. E. A tU .. § .. !;..9..C'.Y 9_f .~ .. ?:.J_I.§ .Q.r:.§:§..~ ,Q.?:.~.P. .(}.c .. g.~n.g .. (..... J .. ~.~.}.=.:1..~.?_~. Maiden [?J: N. p., '1929;>

IYlacNei 1 r Char 185 . \I Campmeet i ngs . II Unpublished typescr~pt, 1975.

Nor t h Ca t' 0 -! i r) a U(:3il e r' a', }\s s em b"j y . La ws and .tl§§ .. 9.J,,~ .. tj.gn.§.. 1 8 'f 9 Se:::; s 'I L}:) .

Pre s 1 a r , C h a r' '1 E3 S ,.-., J j' ., e d . B. .t!.:t§..:~.9..c.y..... 0 f .g.9 .. !: .. 9.~~.q.9. .o. Count\i . .................... .;t..

Sa '1 1 S b u ~~ y : R 0 \Ai a Ii P r- i n tin 9 Co 111 pan y for the C at a w b a County H l S tor -J cal Ass 0 cia t ion 1 Inc., "9 5 4 .

( Ra -I e'i 9 h) N.§:.~"~ .?:DQ .q.~.2,§,r.' .. y'.~,r:, 1 Se pt em be r 1 935 .

I.b.~ .? .. ~_?.:.!;..§, 1 3 Aug u s t 1 9 3 8 and 3 'j Aug u s t 1 94 6 .

United States. Department of the Interior. Geological Survey. Catawba quadrangle map. 1970.

Section number Photos Page __ _

PHOTOS

Balls Creek Campground Catawba County, N.C.

1) Balls Creek Campground 2) Bandy's Crossoads vicinity, North Carolina 5) North Carolina Division of Archives and History, Raleigh, N.C.

A. 3) Barbara Kooiman 4) June 1989 6) Arbor, west

B. 3) Davyd Foard Hood 4) t1a r chi 983 6) Arbor interior, west

C. 3) Davyd Foard Hood 4) May' c l! 1 9 :.3 3 6) 'Tents, east

D. 3) Davyd Foard Hood 4) March 1~83 6) Ten t~·, no :,ct h

E. 3) Davyd Foard Hood 4) March 1983 6) Tents, south

F. 3) F. Bogue Wallin 4) June 1979 6) Arbor interior, sounding board, west

NOTE: One of the photos used in this nomination was taken as early as June 1979. All resources have been thoroughly field checked by Barbara Kooiman in 1989 and have been determined to be unchanged from their appearance and condition portrayed in photo-graphs taken prior to 1989.

Balls Creek Campground, Catawba County, N.C.

See Continuation Sheet

Previous documentation on file (NPS): D preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67)

has been requested o previously listed in the National Register D previously determined eligible by the National Register D designated a National Historic Landma~-k D recorded by Historic American Buildings

Survey II "-D recorded by Historic American Engineering

Record # __________________ _

10. Geographical Data 31.1 acres

fXJ See continuation sheet

Primary location of additional data: [ZJ State historic preservation office D Other State agency D Federal agency D Local government D University DOther Specify repository:

Acreage of property -------.-------------------------------------------------

UTM References A LhZJ L~~~~j \~~~ ,2 18 1 4p /

Zone Easling Northing

C LhZJ 14 19 ,110 ,0 10 I L3, 9/ 4, 214,8,01

B llilJ Zone

D llilJ

I 4 I 9 jl I a I 4 ! a ! Easting

1 4 19,ll4 1 2P I

D See continuation sheet

L3 I 9 i ~ . 2 ! 8 ,4 1 0 I Northing

1 3 I 9 I 4 . 2 I 4:8 P

Verbal Boundary Description -: The nominated area of the Balls Creek Campground property is a portion of Lot 9, block 1, shown on Catawb,a Co. Tax Map K-3, and described as follows: Starting at the Northeast corner of the Balls Creek Campground property lot, go South 611.5 feet; then turn East, go 132 feet; then turn South, go 530.9 feet; then turn West, go 925 feet; then turn South­west, go 273 feet; then turn Northwest, go 275 feet; then turn North, go 1050 feet; then turn East, go 66 feet; then turn North, go 102 feet; the~urn Ea~t, ,go 1100 feet to the point of beginning. U See continuation sheet

Boundary Justification

Includes entire parcel historically associated with historic resources.

D See continuation sheet

nameltitle Barbara Kooiman. compiler. descriptyion; Micbael Hill, bistory

organization Cata~-lba County Historical Assn. date _...I..7..;....1 ..... 3...J..1-J-1 ..... 8'-""9'---------------street &. n u m bar --.B..1. 1. Box 76 A B telephone --L7..uO'-!=l4--1-1..L2_Su6..t.=-3..l..10.,Liw..uO..L-______ _

city or town Conover, state ~ ...... ,.>.<.C...a.., _____ zip code 28613

No t<Tl-1

[~LEJ I " -=L.Jco I

Q3ALLS CQEEK CAMPGRoOND] BAtJb'l 'j CRoSsQO\DS VlCltVll'I

CATAWBA CDU~ IV. C, )

HA? K - ?J / BLOCK I) US-I g cpam6 \)

I I I

I I I .

/

(BUILOI N(5)/~Wl)CTUgE'?) SEE t-tA 'BS H A V'S :#: I -5

(SITE )

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II /\ B ::; tvl a p It 1 I f I r--c-1 I~ []J

COUNrY ROUTt: 1~}G.3

---4{:.;'->

KEY

A - Arbor (C) B - Store (C) C - Jail (C) D-ll - l\estrooms (NC) I - Spring [louse (NC)

ill - JU2 - Ten ts : 2 H 3 Tot II 1. ~':

o - 135 (C)

[J 148 (NC)

It> - photo, direction of lens

~

302

l

)J

~ [1 I I I I I ITI IDITTl 1--r---fT]iiTlJi ; n-I'-n--n

§99 200 _______ r)15-L .J ~_! ____ Lj _I_J_LJU- - - r-

~= { ~2 '-.. ~u ---... ----- :)5.97 -,99 100 - 105 106 -

r3 294 "\ " l=rlIII] [i-rl f !/ fT1TTTID . 19-- A9' ~ \ 18 ~ ----- 1AJ8 --- II I ,

\ . ' 'i

,=:j' \-=\183 AROOR 2l ~ ~ \t 81

E=j282 0 ----/\--l -\ ~.-G7 \' - - 230 "

\<;'\; 122 . ~ \'),. , 211 __

r . 66 L H .- \ 261

R \ . i~~OAB' '-' \' Ji2j- 14 U \ -- . _ r " \ _ \ I 588 I " 236 ../\

j' 58 A J : ~l '\ l /~ \

\ I' 1708. t "V \ \ . I76A I 34. ./ J . 34A. 131 STaR E

I '57 348 § =-= l=-) "7' rmrrm L1LTI IlllilLIJIII] . 1 _j_ ~ ~G-_ _ _ 110 ---163 162 ._ 156 155 ---- H6 147 ---- 131

L 26" OIITfTDITIJTrnCIITIDJJQ III \ !J~[ j":"""""" II 1--'--'\ I~! \ 246 - 2'13

c 0 JtllL

SI rE PLI\N SHOWING PLI\CEMENT or- INDIVIDUAL TENTS AND STRUCTUflES

I 0 SPRING HOUSE

C = contributing (non-shaded) N C = 110 fl COlt t L' i but i r 1i.~ ( s had e d ) CEJ r:-E'] Tent "address" numbers not consecutive;

some number.:s sl\.ipped, others list<2d "/\-13."

I n·'_" ~~.,~.~~l~:.~.~c:\I,~~~~~~r."~:~"~.~:~\~o~~~CINTIIREJ 1983

~4 ... '''')'~ "'I. ,.. ... ,.101 .. , ·Vlr II'

.. ~.If.n ., ... , r, 'If ,.. ... "', .......... , ')" '.41' , ... " ''''11):"1

- ---.---------.--------------

-------_._-------8-~~_LS (~'I~'E'ET«(~rAM·p'GROUND

Shad<2d number of t<2nts <2Stillllltccl NC resources.

f<ISTOniC .... MEnIC .... N

nU'lOfN~S SlJnvf:Y

ROUTE !O03, VIC:NI'fY-f,»+W·A-5 crWSSr!OJ\D5. CIITI\WO/\ COUNTY, ~JCRTH CflnOLlNI\

,:::-:-:-:==~=--.?±-':~-::::=::~---::--..:-------------- ------- -- ---.

~ o

o o o

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ARBOR PLAN " •• -~ .. OE.RNARO HERMI\N,I9R3

.... 'TIO .... "'. #I. .. r: .... 'TTt:,TlJ","L "' .... n S""4f), ..... " .. ,-., ""rco,.o B.ALl_,s CRC:U'( C~MPGROUND U''''<O " .. ., 0"'"'''''''' 0' ,~< ,~ .. "..," ROtJTE 1003, VICIN !T Y Bfi'tr:1o-3-Gi<O:)Sf~OA[J:·:. CAT~W8 A COUNTY, NORTH CARO UNA

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HI$TOrliC A'-'lErlICAN

BUILDINGS SUrlVEY

Ir

Ii \1

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-----._---_._------------_._----_._- .. _------------_._- ---:-----------

ilABS Map :fi3

,-' f- -:--~ II I ,I k' ,: .. ___ ~ ===,pzzq

SOUTH ELEVATION

\.

rrrrrrrrqn ,-

~~~~[rn[[[J]]lU II "Uillll ===~==~~~~~;-=:1~ ;~ I I i I I I , I I I iii I • I , I iii I

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A6 en 01

\NEST ELEVATION

88 89

\ " ........ [J[fHUU1[l HERMAN, WiLt.IAM MI\CINTIf1E, 1983 , .... ' ... "I' ... ""~''' ... ",:O"., .. ,.v .. ~"

... "" ... , ••. ""'<:"'··l".".~·"~,,· ..... " .. ,,·,, I BA~LD''''' CREEr< CAMPGROUND r ""4"~''''''L ~ .... "'" .""" .... It f t ~1{'If...'S

"~"'O .,." ...... ~'N'N' 0' h., 'N""_,. f10UTE 1003, VIC~~~~.:i'_:...:'.~~~_~..:::f\OflD!\CATA~~8A COUNTY. NOR Ttl CAROLINA --- ..... -.. , ....

HISTonrc AHF.:nICAN

OUILDINGS sunvE:Y

I I I

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SECOND FLOOn

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TENT 48A, FIRST FLOOR SECOND FLOOR

TENT FLOOR PLANS

n· .. ' .... OE~HJI\fW HERM/\N, 1C):n -----.--------;;~__;~-;_;:;:::" 'N I" "··JeTOi_, ",."._,

.~ . 'r,-..". - Iflt;TonlC A~'-nICAN ... "" ..... " .. " .. n"".L."'''~''' .... "'',,'·''--'"n I BAII.,- '- f'\EEk CAf\l1PGROUND 'F _ . -

· .... ''''~f .. ' ......... "I' ..... , , T - 11 ,.I -~ " I nlllt ()INr.~ "";unvrv __ "=~~~~=.::=~:.~_L ______ ~lClJ~.~CO\ vIC~~~~~~~~~y~~_~~_~~?'\C~__' C~'~:~~-',~f3~~_~~~TY,_ NornH CMWLlu/\ I. - . -

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I j ___ .. ____ •. __________ . _________ . ________ .. _________ . ____ .J

to UJ

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Po R \i 0 M BJ\NDYS FIRE DISTRICT

/

/

CALOW LL TOWNSHIP SHEET NO. TAX MAP

K CATAWBA COUNTY, N. C.

DATE: 1977 SCALE:

/

/

/

/

(:.> h,. t,J D'-{

A t=. 1-/q152D 3'7'1312..0

r;, Ifql ~ B 0 ~9~30io

C 4q;5~O 3't4f2.. 3ceo qq iLf2.0 a'f '1;L £.[80

40'

~, ~ :{l021 --~ ';/

/1 1000 i I

690 000 .

~' O~0~ \" \ \\

\.~ 4') "," Topography by photo mmetric methods from aerial

~u.s c~££l< A E LfJI3 ("0

N ~'f Lf 2'S4 ()

B t;: '19' 0'10 N 3t142ra40

c L{qlooo 39L.(1..4 SO

b c: lJ'IILl2- 0

~ 3Q'i 2-A.f8o

photographs tak 966, Field checked .1970 CAMP'r'hP,.(} IA- t~ D

'"Polyconic projection. 1927 North American datum 10,OOO-foot grid based on North Carolina coordinate system 1000-meter Universal Transverse Mercator grid ticks,

zone 17, shown in blue

Fine red dashed lines Indicate selected fence and field lines where generally visible on aerial photographs, This information is unchecked

UTM GRID AND 1970 MAGNETIC NORTH DECLINATION AT CENTER OF SHEET

5'

"