north_carolina state park north_carolina united_states covers acres km2 shore lines lake park developed facilities south route near north_carolina open year round recreation including hiking camping fishing boating named confederate general lived nearby home surrounds north_carolina state historic site includes restored 1830s plantation house toured including reconstructed slave quarters established great depression land leased new deal program president surrounds lake oldest lakes eastern united_states hunting fishing ground peoples archaeologists found lake years old preserved unusually clean waters home abundance wildlife lake primary location types including canada park home woodland creatures white tailed deer commonly found east coast united_states lake contains species game fish including bass park manages acre km2 lake north_carolina state lake park manages acres km2 history early inhabitants surrounds lake north_carolina second largest natural lake lake peninsula series bay lakes stretch new_jersey florida atlantic coastal plain exactly lakes formed remains mystery known lake fed stream relies entirely rain springs maintain water level lake fed stream carry nearby farms factories water clean lake miles average depth feet lake thought years old lake named white man enter waters colonial explorer benjamin searching known great eastern dismal group hunters entered swamps search game farmland group discouraged leave scaled trees spotted lake short distance away went ahead ran water water given honor naming lake history human stretches far archaeologists found thousands relics park including pottery sunken estimates place years old preserved lake unusually clean waters created peoples seasonal visitors area built logs slowing burning center log burnt wood leaving outer shell historians believe sink lake return following fishing hunting season thirty ancient found lake discovered plantation era european descended settlers live farm area arriving collins partners drained swamps surrounding lake established extensive plantation known collins partners brought slaves africa dig canal lake canal served purposes means transporting goods people plantation second served massive drainage ditch slaves somerset place worked drain surrounding swamps later canal system expanded provide irrigation rice corn fields plantation named confederate general lies buried family cemetery park commanding officer battle led company soldiers sustained mortal wounds general retreat general grew farm buried father grandfather final resting place popular stopping point visitors park prosperous plantation american civil war plantation life forever altered abraham_lincoln signing emancipation proclamation collins family unable maintain plantation following war sold state park era somerset place land passed hands owners acquired great depression state north_carolina land terms year lease signed expanded times opened recent land acquisitions included adding entire shoreline lake largest expansion took place remained largely undeveloped history town columbia built banks boat landings river water colored like black tea coffee served means transportation early settlers region north_carolina nature sought protect natural state nature offered donate tracts land owned state purchase tracts available year state agreed area river officially added state park system ecology plant life home stands old growth forest eastern north_carolina forest bay trees bald found northern shore lake trunk diameter feet trunk diameter feet wide average man leg grow trees excess feet section park atlantic white cedar rare cedar trees grown large sizes trees listed north_carolina found lily pulpit found banks lake provides habitat swamp evening blue flag iris cardinal flowers found near river particular rare north_carolina type animal life lake river attract wide variety lake large shallow freshwater lakes peninsula lakes winter grounds ducks lake use area primarily purpose flying nearby feeding sites canada feed nearby farm fields ducks feed wetlands usually arrive area october february march commonly seen canada american black ducks northern home species birds prey build nests tops tallest trees park feed abundant fish lake population bald eagles increasing occasionally seen park species owl great owl barred owl eastern owl home forests park red tailed red hawks american northern find suitable habitats state park woodland birds year round residents banks lake provide abundance cover food great blue great green woods home red mourning found park include prairie common northern provides habitats eastern woodland mammals black bear white tailed deer inhabit woods virginia american north american river fox endangered red wolf reintroduced eastern north_carolina including common species game fish found lake bass chain yellow perch fish brought area nearly years ago recreation open year round recreation including hiking fishing camping boating lake open engine powered boats launch ramps available point park offices lake shore drive canoe trail canals built plantation era open types main forest open tents camping trailers site comes equipped picnic table second grassy meadow amenities large group camping area set forest tent pads toilet facilities centrally located open includes flush toilets showers open fishing established fishing regulations catch length limits meant enhance sport fisheries public waters lake regulations place regulations specify bass greater inches inches rule place increase number fish fish inches additionally stocks lake begun program herring fish ladder bee tree canal large picnic area available come served basis hiking trails pass shore lake wind woods
Pettigrew State Park