THE UNIQUE HISTORY,
R
LANDSCAPE OF RICHMOND COUNTY
ichmond County is imbued with a
unique history and landscape — and
its residents know it. The community
has taken care to preserve those features
and build on them over the years, bringing
Richmond County to where it is today: a
gem for outdoorsmen, families looking for
an experience in nature, rural history buffs
and a strong reminder that farmers are still
the backbone of our society.
The largest portion of the Sandhills Game
Lands are in Richmond County, spanning
32,235 acres of luscious forest preserved
by the North Carolina Wildlife Resource
Commission. The Game Lands offer
opportunities for hunting, biking, hiking,
horseback riding, and more. Along the way,
you might spot one of the many state and federally endangered
species including the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Carolina Gopher
Frog, Northern Pine Snake, Bachman’s Sparrow, and the Tiger
Salamander.
For hunters looking to hone their skills, you can’t do much better
than DeWitt’s Outdoor Sports, LLC in Ellerbe. The facility’s sporting
clay course stretches more than a mile through varied scenic
backdrops, with 14 stations that present targets to simulate actual
hunting scenarios at the push of a button. Locally owned, DeWitt’s
offers shooting ranges and guided hunts for individuals and larger
groups.
At Hitchcock Creek, the Hitchcock Blue Trail and Paddleway offers
opportunities for boating, hiking, kayaking, nature viewing/walking,
picnicking, as well as a playground for families to enjoy. Hinson
Lake is a 216-acre site with a scenic walking trail, event lodge,
fishing pier and 18-hole disc-golf course which circle a lake that
gleams when the sun hits it right.
At the western edge of the county, boaters and fishermen can access
the Pee Dee River, a prime destination for catfishing, at a boat
landing at Diggs Tract. The Pee Dee River serves as a lifeline for
Richmond County by providing energy and water resources, while
also perfect for watersports.
“People are seeking to get in a more laid back, rustic environment
to experience that versus the high pace of a city,” said Meghann
Lambeth, executive director of Richmond County Tourism.
The history of Richmond County is well-documented at its
museums. At the Rankin Museum, there are myriad regional
historical artifacts and exhibits, an interactive zone tailored for
students, a gift shop, a public reference library, a self-guided
scavenger hunt — and a section entirely dedicated to one of the
most notable pieces of trivia about Ellerbe: that famed wrestler
Andre the Giant settled there.
The Hamlet Depot is a Victorian Queen Anne-style train station
originally built in 1900 and preserved as a symbol of Hamlet’s
history as a the “Hub of the Seaboard.” You’ll find a showroom full
12 • PROGRESS 2020
of artifacts left
over from a time
of hustle and
bustle as trains
chugged through
the town. The
museum has
documented the
Depot’s long history, and catalogued a number of model trains for
enthusiasts of all ages.
In Rockingham, families will find Discovery Place KIDS, which
has sparked a resurgence of development in business and in
knowledge for young people. A children’s museum, DPK offers
developmentally-appropriate exhibits for children ages birth to ten
that encourage them to explore their world, interact with others,
and be exposed to new ideas.
Richmond County’s farms provide a stark reminder of what it
takes to feed our communities as interest has grown in going
beyond grocery store aisles. One of the most notable features
you’ll see driving through Richmond County is the “world’s largest
strawberry” that makes up The Berry Patch, a one-stop shop for
fresh, locally grown produce and homemade ice cream along U.S.
220.
The Bynum Peach Farm is a three-generation farm located in
the Windblow Community specializing in all manner of peach
production. The Bynums take pride in their produce, which also
includes cantaloupes, grapes, and watermelons. Triple L Farms in
Derby is a four- generation farm that produces a variety of fruits,
vegetables, poultry, and more. Triple L has turned a former general
store into what is essentially a farm museum.
“People I think are becoming more aware of where their food comes
from, wanting to know what’s in it and see how it’s grown and
wanting their children to experience that,” Lambeth said. “So having
somewhere that actually grows and sells the food is actually a bigger
value than it used to be to people. So much of our heritage is based
in farming.”