175 Years of History and a Lake for Dessert

Saturday, May 14, 2016


It's not often that you get to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of anything, so when it comes up, it's time to take a ride. Did I also mention the festivities are surrounded by one of my favorite riding destinations? If you cruise up to the look out at Morrow Mountain State Park on a Sunday Morning, you will see that I am in with a lot of company.
The beginnings of this great motorcycle gathering spot don't start in the hills of North Carolina, but across the Atlantic in Prussia. Franz Joseph Kron was born there in 1798. At the age of fifteen, he and the French were expelled, and Kron landed in Paris. Eight years later, Franz would marry Mary Catherine Delamothe, and her uncle would invite them to come live in America. Henry Delamothe had lived in North Carolina and had become very successful, so the lure of an inheritance helped to make the couple decide to move.
After Kron finished medical training, he moved back with his uncle-in-law on the east side of the Pee Dee River. Relations became strained, and Dr. Kron purchased land on the west side of the Pee Dee from Reverend McGregor.
Our journey doesn't start in some exotic place like Prussia, and we didn't stop through The City of Lights along the way. Instead we make our way out of Locust, North Carolina along Bethel Church Road, heading east. It was mid-morning in May, and the air curling around my VTX 1800 with myself and Kasey abroad was crisp, but warming quickly. As we run up the curves and hills of Austin Road, we don't notice the air so much as the scenery, and ribbon of pavement in front of us.
Before we reach Plyler, we veer off on Hatley Farm Road, and then wind our way to State Road 73. This takes us into the town of Albemarle. We continue through town on Main Street, and then head north on Badin Road. Shortly we bear to the right, and we are on Morrow Mountain Road. We meander between country homes for a bit before they start to disappear, and then pass by the opening gate of the state park. We will make our way to the look out, but first, we are headed to Dr. Kron's cabin, the center for today's celebration.

Dr. Kron would become a legendary doctor in the area. He was also quite the gardener and horticulturalist. He not only grew many plants, but cross bred some of his own, then would take the fruits of labor to create medicines for his patients. He kept records, and many were presented to the Smithsonian as well as the US Department of Agriculture. Volunteers dotted the grounds, some in period dress, to discuss the cabin, greenhouse and gardens in the area.




Also during his time he bought and sold off many parcels of the adjacent land. He and his wife would go on to have two daughters and one son. The son died at childbirth. The two daughters were skilled artists in water colors and other crafts, but never married. The story goes that Franz did not think any of the local men were good enough for one of his daughters. The two girls inherited the land, and while they may have had their father's business savvy, they couldn't maintain the vast area of land. They had to give the land just to make ends meet, and it traded many hands until 1937, when the land was donated for a park. The gates opened on Morrow Mountain State Park in 1939.


Since Kasey and I were close, we made a loop down to the water's edge, and then back past the entrance to the Kron House and the campgrounds, and then the windy road up to the lookout. It was a Saturday, and before noon. While there were quite a few people at the top of the mountain, there were not too many on two wheels. With the weather what it was, most were out riding.



It was approaching lunch time, so we we ventured out of the park and headed north. Valley Drive was the road of choice, and it leads into Badin, North Carolina. Badin Lake makes for the eastern boundary of town, and it is delightful ride along the banks.
We then begin making our way west and arrive on US 52. We head north through Messinheimer, and Gold Hill. We hoped on High Rock Road, and made our way to lake of the same name. Luckily for us, near a narrow crossing of the lake is a very popular boat launch and The Lake View Restaurant.


While we sat and ate a fantastic lunch, topped off with great pie, we were amazed at the number of boats being pulled out and put in the water. For the hour we were there, it was a continuous stream.
We continued north on Bringle Ferry Road. We skirted the south edge of Salisbury, and made our way over to Faith Road to begin heading back south. Even though there are jogs in the road, and several name changes, we know this path as we take it often to visit the Salisbury Veteran's Hospital for Kasey.
After passing through the charming town of Faith, we roll past the historic looking Organ Church, with graves right up to the front door. Eventually, the road changes to Mount Pleasant, and we arrive in the town with the same name. From here we wind through the country side to Highway 200. We make a left, and head south back into the town of Locust.

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