by David Brown

As one stands under the majestic metamorphic rock outcrop that is the focal point of today’s Raven Rock State Park, you may wonder how this landmark got its name. There are multiple stories associated with the rock, which was known by several names as early European settlers moved to the area in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Patterson’s Rock

In the 1740s, Gilbert Patterson of Scotland settled in the area of Buies Creek. Legend says Patterson was canoeing between his home and another parcel of land he owned on Pocket Creek in Lee County. He wrecked his canoe at Fish Traps and floated down to the rock, where he pulled himself out of the water. He was not going anywhere with a broken leg, and the rock provided him shelter from the weather and wolves in the area. After about a week without food, some wolves chased a deer over the cliff, and the deer landed at Patterson’s feet. He lived on the venison until he was picked up by travelers a few days later.  In this story, the rock that provided him protection would carry his name for almost a century.

Roger’s Rock and Esther’s Rock

This rock may have also have occasionally been known as “Roger’s Rock” and “Esther’s Rock,” as indicated by some early land grants in the late 1700s. However, these names may refer to some nearby rock outcrops along the river now known as Tory Rock and Cedar Rock. 

Raven Rock

In the 1850s, locks and dams were being constructed along the upper Cape Fear River to allow steamboats to travel from Fayetteville to Haywood, just beyond where the Deep River and Haw River meet to form the Cape Fear. While construction continued on the Northington Lock and Dam at Douglas Falls to cover the rapids at what is now known as Fish Traps, ravens were observed roosting on the great rock outcrop, and the “Raven Rock” name stuck.

“The distance from Fox’s Island to Northington’s Lock is about nine miles. For seven of those miles the river is skirted on either hand by a profusion of gray willows, and about half a mile of low grounds, upon which grows a rich and beautiful crop.

After passing Purify’s Ferry, and getting in the neighborhood of Fish Creek and McKay’s Landing, we were surprised to behold on the margin of the river, Cedar Rock, rising about 40 feet, covered with the moss of ages and clothed with species of Gum, Cedar, Ivey, and Pine. This we deemed the sight of the trip—but judge our surprise when, on rounding a point on the River, near Northerington’s, we beheld a grayish granite ledge of rocks, rising abruptly from the water’s edge, at least 100 feet towards the sky, and at one point apparently suspended over the channel in which the steamer gracefully moved. The face of the rocks was covered with a white and greenish moss, the accumulation of many centuries.

Upon the top of the highest peak we noted a giant pine, that for ages has towered above the undergrowth that covers the mountain side, but which has been recently smitten with the lightning’s flash, and is fast crumbling away. On nearing this tall cliff, and gazing upon its growing front, we felt as if in the presence of an old familiar friend, and memory, ever busy, ran back upon ‘highland scenes.’ We wondered that we had never heard of the ‘Raven Rocks’ of old Cumberland before, equaling as they do in beauty, if not in sublimity, the mountain pass defended by a Helen McGregor, or Rob Roy, and immortalized by the Great Unknown. The scene was to me too interesting and beautiful to pass unnoticed. The Boat was fastened to the shore, and in company of her motley crew, I set out upon a tour of observation.

This excerpt from The Fayetteville Observer describes the first journey of the Steamer “Brothers” up the Cape Fear River from Fayetteville to Haywood and of their exploration of Raven Rock as they passed by on July 11, 1856:

On landing, the first object that attracted my attention was a rock bearing a strong resemblance to a modern pulpit. Entering between the fissure of the rock, the pulpit stands in front, the solid rock behind, whist a most glorious sounding board is formed by the rock over your head.

Following the path, we found the lower part of the rock had been washed away by the freshets of the Cape Fear, so that we could stand underneath the overhanging mass, and remain perfectly dry, whilst the rain dripped in torrents some 15 feet towards the river. Still lower down we discerned a Cave in the face of the Rock, but left it unexplored, for fear of reptiles and want of light. Between the ledges of these rocks, we took advantage of a mountain gorge or ravine and ascended to the summit. We found that we were on the plantation of Major Neill McClean, where we had before been without suspecting that we were in the neighborhood of such objects of interest and curiosity as the Raven Rocks really are. At Northington’s Lock we saw specimens from the excellent granite quarry that is upon the river bank.”

The rock along the river has always been a special attraction to locals for exploring and for participating in the popular past time of picnics and courtship. Many newspaper articles, such as the one from The Daily State Chronicle on May 5, 1891, describes their visits to this awe-inspiring landmark:

As the area became more populated, ravens moved from this area to the mountains of North Carolina.  In 1970, the North Carolina General Assembly purchased the land to begin Raven Rock State Park, the first state park purchased with state funds since 1916 with Mount Mitchell. At that time, though, there was not a raven to be seen. Eventually, ravens were reported near Greensboro and even as far east as Sanford. In March 2019, a raven was spotted over Raven Rock State Park, and a certain park ranger who told park staff he “would never retire until the ravens came home” could finally retire in peace after 29 years at Raven Rock.  

Readers interested in finding historic news coverage of the area are encouraged to explore DigitalNC‘s archives.