The Charlotte Observer reports that a fire destroyed about 30 percent of the historic Balls Creek Campground in Catawba County, about 45 minutes northwest of Charlotte. The historic Methodist camp meeting site was founded in the 1850s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The multi-alarm fire damaged or destroyed 40 of the cabins, called “tents” by residents, which are privately owned by camp meeting families. Fourteen fire departments and 100 firefighters responded to the alarm. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Western North Carolina is currently suffering from moderate to severe drought conditions, according to the
National Drought Information website.
The
Balls Creek camp meeting was founded in 1853, when the first gathering was held
under a brush arbor. Families came to the site in covered wagons or stayed in
canvas tents. Over the years, about 300 wooden row houses, sharing a common
wall, were erected surrounding the central arbor where services are held. It’s
believed to be one of the largest religious campgrounds in the south. Other
structures in the historic district include a store called "The
Shack" (c. 1940), and a jail dated to the late-19th / early-20th century.
The camp meeting, with daily services and community sings, is still held every
August.