Looking across the Haw River to the former Saxapahaw Spinning Mill
Saxapahaw is a smal community on the Haw river, approximately thirty to forty minutes from our place in Chapel Hill (depending on traffic). Thia is a small place (the year 2000 census gives its population as 1,418 inhabitants); like most communities on the Haw river in this area, it was a mill town. The first cotton mill was built in 1844 by Quaker settlers, but it was later demolished to make way for the brick structure seen today.
We nearly missed the place, because almost everything appears to be located around the Genreal Store. What we had really come for, though, is the Saxapahaw Island Park. This park of 30 acres (12.14 hectares) occupies an island in the Haw river; it has a lovely trail and a great playground with a huge wooden fish slide. The long and skinny island is plainly visible on this map.
We first followed the trail around the island, retired to the General Store for an excellent burger, and had a cup of delicious coffee at the Cup 22 Coffee House before heading back home. We may be back for another stroll around Saxahapaw Island Park⸺this time with the grandchildren and their parents!
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Looking across the Haw River to the former Saxapahaw Spinning Mill |
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The view towards the bridge from the terrace of the Cup 22 Coffee House |
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Looking towards the bridge and Paperhand Puppet Intervention from Saxapahaw Island Park |
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The trails are very accessible |
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A Great Blue Heron surveying the river |
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Continuing eastward on the north part of Saxapahaw Island Park |
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One is never far from the Haw River |
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Wood textures |
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The huge wooden fish slide at the playground measures 45 feet and weighs six tons |
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Inside the wooden fish slide |
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Continuing on the northern shore of the Saxapahaw Island Park |
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Looking at the Haw River before crossing over to the southern shore of the park |
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The south portion of the river has far less water |
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The water level is too low to cover the many rocks |
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Following the south shore of the Saxapahaw Island Park westward |
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We're almost back at the parking lot and the bridge |
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Looking from the bridge eastward along the Haw River |
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We had a surprisingly tasty lunch at the General Store before heading home |
The photos on this page were taken on February 12, 2022.
They may also bee viewed in a Gallery.
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