Cleanup deemed successful, but more needs to be done

Melanie Null, center, points out an area that needs clearing at the Furnace Mill. Volunteers spent Saturday cleaning up the park. While most people in Cherokee County were sitting in line waiting for their turn at gas pumps in the area, local resident Melanie Null and 14 volunteers were spending their afternoon hoping to restore one of the area's most revered locations.

The historic Furnace Mill has served as a glimpse into the area's past, illustrating early American iron-making technology just before the Revolutionary War.

But trash bags and graffiti have scarred the property, prompting Null to make a call to action.

"It was kind of spooky with all the weeds overgrown on the site," Null said. "There is much work to do."

Workers moved rocks, tree limbs and other debris at the work day, taking a step toward restoring the site back to its former beauty.

"Everything went great," Null said. "We had hoped more people would come out but those out here worked their booties off and I am pleased."

In addition to picking up trash and other debris, volunteers removed items from a small lake on the property.

Null, who has lived in the area for about six months, said she uses the park as a refuge to get away from everything going on around her.

"It's so nice and peaceful," Null said. "The mill is a beautiful place that we all should be proud to have within walking distance of our homes."

According to the Cherokee Historical and Preservation Society (CHAPS), the Furnace Mill site has roots in the 18th century, illustrating iron-making techniques used by early settlers in the area. The remains of the Cowpens Furnace, the only remaining site associated with the South Carolina Manufacturing Company, is found there.

In recent years, the property has fallen into ruin as grass and weeds have been allowed to grow, and trash has been dumped at the site.

However, Null is dedicated to restoring the park back to its former beauty, which is music to the ears of CHAPS Director Jane Waters.

"This is a small taste of the history in this area and we want to protect and preserve this and other sites for the public's enjoyment," Waters said.

Compounding concerns at the park was the theft of signage marking the historic site. A community watch unit has been organized to make sure acts of vandalism or any other crime do not occur at the location.

"Since the neighborhood watch has been established perhaps vandals will not find Furnace Mill a place to hang out for the purpose of causing destruction," Waters said.

Null said during the cleanup day, several visitors came over and told them how much they appreciated the work that was being done to restore the site.

"Many of them told me how happy they were to see something done," Null said. "They would talk about how beautiful the park was and how they want it back to the way it used to be."

Since Saturday, Null said she has been approached by Scout troops wanting to help out with the effort as well as the Overmountain Victory Trail Committee notifying her of plans to complete a portion of its multi-use trail connecting Cowpens National Battlefield and Kings Mountain National Military Park through the Furnace Mill historic site.

However, more work is to be done as Null has already started plans to have another work day on Oct. 4.

"We have already done work on the gristmill part, now its time to concentrate on others," Null said. "Hopefully we can get some people to come out."