Places of Interest

 

Harmony Hall – The stately home of Revolutionary War officer, Col. James A. Richardson, Harmony Hall was built prior to 1768 and sits on a 12,000 acre tract of land near White Oak. The main house, work buildings and grounds are open to the public on Saturdays from 10 AM until 2 PM and on Sundays from 2 until 4 PM. Period craftsmen may be observed making soap, cooking outdoors and blacksmithing. Wagon or carriage rides are sometimes available. Volunteers in period costumes provide tours of the house and grounds. 

Tory HoleĀ BattlegroundĀ – This battleground is in a ravine that runs from the main street of Elizabethtown to the Cape Fear River. A park, exercise trail, picnic shelter, playground, and amphitheatre are on site. 910-862-2066.

White Lake – Crystal clear waters and white sand have earned this lake the title of the “Nation’s Safest Beach.” The lake has amusement parks, restaurants, motel, cottage, and campground accomodations, as well as permanent home sites. A champion 18-hole golf course is located four miles from the lake. 910-862-4368.

Jones Lake State Park – Operated by the State of North Carolina, this park features camping, picnicking, swimming, boating, and a nature trail. Organized groups and individuals are welcomed. Trailer and campsites are available. Jones Lake is located on Hwy. 242 about 4 miles from Elizabethtown. 910-588-4550.

Singletary Lake Group Camp – This Carolina Bay is operated by the Sate of North Carolina and provides educational camping opportunities for organized (group) camps only. It is located on Hwy. 53 about 7 miles from White Lake, N.C. 910-669-2928.

Elwell Ferry – This old-fashioned two-car cable ferry crosses the Cape Fear River near Kelly on highway 53 and near Carver’s Creek on NC highway 87. For the traveler looking for fragments of the past, this is a side trip to make.

Cape Fear River – Accessible at the Tory Hole Park, the Lock and Dam #2, and Elwell Ferry, the Cape Fear River offers boating, fishing, and swimming opportunities.

South River – The South River forms Bladen’s northeast boundary and is suitable for boating and fishing. It can be navigated through the Black River and the Cape Fear River. A popular place to put boats into the river is a ramp reached from U.S. 701N two miles south of Garland.

Bladen Lakes State Forest – This NC state preserve is threaded by wilderness drives, a demonstration trail, and public hunting. Interpretive trails are open to the public from March until November. The trails have forest and wildlife related exhibits. 910-588-4161.

U.S. Lock and Dam #2 on the Cape Fear River – They are the major feature of a Corps of Engineers project, entitled “Cape Fear River, North Carolina, above Wilmington.” The project provides for a navigable depth of 8 feet at low water for a distance of 111 miles. The channel is 25 feel deep from Wilmington to Navassa. The locks allow vessels going downstream to be lowered to the level of the water below the dams and the vessels going upstream to be raised to the level of water above the dams. Facilities available for public use include: paved roads, concrete boat-tables, fireplaces, and picnic shelters. Fishing is the most popular activity at these locks. The river contains a wide variety of fish species. The most closely associated with these locks is the American or White Shad. The Shad is primarily an ocean fish that enters fresh water and moves upstream to spawn in March and April. The lock and dam are approximately one mile from the center of Elizabethtown on Hwy. 87E and then turn left onto a paved road which is about one mile in length.

Elizabethtown Airport – One of the top airports of its type in the state, the Elizabethtown facility has a 5000 ft. paved, lighted runway with a staffed terminal. 910-862-4522.

Interstate 95 – Getting off Interstate 95 in Fayetteville, you can reach our area in only 25 minutes by taking 87 East of 53 East.

Harmony Hall – Located 12 miles from Elizabethtown on NC 53 West, Harmony Hall is the 1768 home of Col. James A. Richardson whose wife overheard the war plans of General Cornwallace of the British Army. This information was taken to General George Washington of the Colonial Army and led to the defeat of Cornwallace. Open Sunday 2-4 p.m.

Vineyard Golf Course – This beautiful 18-hole golf course is located between Elizabethtown and White Lake on Highway 701.

White Lake Water Park – Adults and Teens can ride the 50 ft tall 210 ft long double Turbo Twister Slide or take a plunge in the brand new 2,000 square foot swimming pool. The Water park has something for fun-lovers of all ages. Open 10am – 6pm everyday through September.Visit www.whitelakewaterpark.com for more information.

Lu Mil Vineyard – Located near Dublin, this working vineyard features a gift shop and antique store. Fine Bladen County wines are available for tasting and purchase. For more information, visit www.lumilvineyard.com.

Camp Clearwater – Camp Clearwater offers a wide variety of camping sites on 1,300 feet of private white sandy beach at White Lake. Overnight, seasonal, and year-round camping is available. Camp Clearwater also has sites to accommodate your manufactured home or park model if you are interested in camping for many years to come. Visit www.campclearwater.com for more information.