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Eno River Association

Eno River Association

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The Eno River Association respectfully acknowledges that the land we are on today is the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Eno, Shakori , Sissipahaw, Occaneechi, other people of Siouan descent, and their descendants, the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation. Although they lived in separate villages and developed distinct identities, they spoke a common Tutelo-Saponi language. In this language, their descendants call them Yรฉsah, which means “the people.” The Eno River Valley was their home for thousands of years before the arrival of people from other continents. Indigenous people are the original stewards of this land.

Eno River Association Land Acknowledgement

Sustain the Eno. Give today.

Join us in protecting parkland, conserving farms and forests, and making nature accessible to everyone. With as little as $10/month, you can become a Sustaining Member and provide a steady stream of support to the Eno River. Ongoing investments from individuals like you help ensure a clean, resilient Eno River for generations to come.

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Make an Impact. Volunteer.

Enjoy the Eno and make a difference! A significant portion of the skills and time needed to maintain Eno parks, deliver education programs, and support the Festival for the Eno come from volunteers like you. Dozens of opportunities are waiting for you to make an impact on the plants, animals, and programs supported by the Eno River Association.

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Latest News

Happy 50th Birthday to Eno River State Park!

Read More Happy 50th Birthday to Eno River State Park!

Thank You for Supporting our 44th Festival for the Eno!

Read More Thank You for Supporting our 44th Festival for the Eno!

Eno River Association Adds Critical Protection to Teer Quarryย 

Read More Eno River Association Adds Critical Protection to Teer Quarryย 

44th Annual Festival for the Eno

Join us for our 44th Festival for the Eno!

Read More Join us for our 44th Festival for the Eno!

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Eno River Association
4404 Guess Rd.
Durham, NC 27712
(919) 620-9099

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Woodland forms of buffalo and elk once ranged the Woodland forms of buffalo and elk once ranged the mountains and the northwest piedmont in scattered herds. Yet even by the arrival of the early European explorers, their numbers were scarce. Both species were largely eliminated by hunting and indigenous tribes most likely traded these animals on the Great Indian Trading Path. While buffalo were occasionally seen between 1720 and 1750, they were gone by 1765. Elk may have died out even earlier, around 1700. Remnants of the buffalos statewide presence persists in many place names like Buffalo Creek in northern Orange County. Some say that even our earliest roads, deeply carved with curved banks, were buffalo trails. 

๐Ÿ“ธ: Betsy Russell
Text source: 1985 Calendar

[image description: river in winter sunlight with trees and banks dusted in snow]
In 1701, explorer John Lawson wrote that he encoun In 1701, explorer John Lawson wrote that he encountered men with "very long Arrows, headed with pieces of Glass, which they had broken from Bottles. They had shap'd them neatly, like the Head of a Dart; but which way they did it, I can't tell."

It is believed that these projectile points Lawson remarked on were not a slovenly make-shift from broken bottles, but were dexterously chipped from clear quartz, a difficult medium requiring skill. 

If you ever do find artifacts like these at the Eno parklands, record your find with a ranger, but make sure to leave the history undisturbed. 

๐Ÿ“ธ: Holly Reid 
Text source: 1979 Calendar

[image description: circular ripple on still water with reflection of trees]
This month's Year of the Trail highlight is Bobbit This month's Year of the Trail highlight is Bobbitt's Hole Trail! ๐ŸŒณ

Bobbitt's Hole Trail is known for its scenic beauty ๐Ÿž๏ธ and offers visitors a chance to explore a gorgeous section of the Eno River. It's an easy trail that is an approximate 1.65 mile loop. The trail takes hikers through a wooded area along the riverbank and leads to Bobbitt's Hole, a picturesque swimming hole in the Eno River. ๐ŸŠโ€โ™‚๏ธ The trail is accessed via the Cole Mill parking lot at the end of Old Cole Mill Road. ๐Ÿš—

We hope you visit soon and enjoy your adventure! ๐ŸŒ„ 

๐Ÿ“ธ: Fred Myers
[Image Description: A cluster of bright red berries grow on a stalk.]
The Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, is The Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, is one of the most commonly encountered ferns along the Eno ๐ŸŒฟ In the past, the green leaves were gathered by New England settlers during the Christmas season for greenery indoors. If you look closely, you may be able to see the shape of a Christmas tree in the general outline of the fronds, or perhaps within the shape of each individual leaf, the image of Santa's stocking ๐ŸŽ„๐Ÿงฆ An abundance of these ferns generally indicates a rich, well-drained soil situation where moisture is available for most of the year. 

๐Ÿ“ธ: Duncan Heron
Text source: Ken Moore, ENO Journal, Vol. 4, No. 1, 1976

[image description: green fronds poking out of the snow]
There were once two fording rocks at Cole Mill For There were once two fording rocks at Cole Mill Ford. Old timers used to say that if you could see both rocks, you could walk your horse across. If you were only able to see one, you would have to swim your horse. And if you couldn't see either of the rocks, you would be wise not to cross at all ๐Ÿชจ๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒŠ-- Harry Umstead, Durham 

๐Ÿ“ธ: Dave Cook
Text source: 1973 Calendar 

[image description: water rushes over rocks creating white splashes]
The clock for the Orange County Courthouse was giv The clock for the Orange County Courthouse was given to the town of Hillsborough by George III in 1766. Around the time of the revolutionary war, Cornwallis' troops came to Hillsborough. The people of the town threw the weights and the bell of the clock into the Eno because they were worried the British would melt them down to make bullets. The soldiers couldn't do anything with face of the clock, so that didn't make it into the river. The weights were recovered, but the bell was never found ๐Ÿ””-- Allen Lloyd, Custodian of the Clock, Hillsborough

๐Ÿ“ธ: Duncan Heron
Text source: 1972 Calendar

[image description: black and white photo of Orange County Courthouse, a brick building with white pillars and a clock tower]
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