sherrills ford

Text Box: History: Adam Sherrill, the first white settler of Catawba County, crossed the Catawba River in 1747 and built a homestead here. You will still find many roads and facilities named for Sherrill. Sherrill’s Ford historical pride is in the camp meeting tradition. Balls Creek Camp Ground near Bandys High School meets for two weeks during August, and Mott’s Grove Camp Ground, the oldest black camp meeting in the county, gathers in August as well.

Landmarks: The Adam Sherrill burial site on Sherrill’s Ford Road, the old country store (now Racing Realty) at Highway 150 and Sherrill’s Ford Road, and any of the numerous campgrounds – Wildlife Woods, Camp Dogwood, Cross Country Campgrounds.

What the Locals Know: Two gas stations that flank Sherrill’s Ford are major watering holes. On the north end, The Gold Mine 66 & Grocery serves up “Miner Boys” and “Miner Girls” along with Mello Yello slushies. Located at Sherrill’s Ford Road and Bandys Crossroads, The Gold Mine is a favorite among Bandys students – mostly because the grill will deliver take-out to campus. Details: 828-241-2439. On the other end of Sherrill’s Ford, going toward Denver, The General Store is a gas station, grocery store, camping outfitters, bait and tackle shop and hardware store. Details: 704-483-2686.

Notables: Elliott Forbes-Robinson, sports car driver in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, calls Sherrill’s Ford home, as does NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip. Douglas Keever, the real-life race fan who was the inspiration for the tow truck Mater in the film “Cars” also lives here.

On the Job: Take a drive down Sherrill’s Ford Road around 4p.m., and you will probably have to wait for traffic coming from the Marshall Steam Station, Duke Energy’s plant in nearby Terrell.

Chow: Head to Cap’n Pete’s on N.C. 150, 704-483-9711. The prices for fried seafood are cheap and the hushpuppies are hard to resist. To keep it extra casual, try Butcher Boy’s, also on N.C. 150 just by Mount Pleasant Road. They offer huge buttermilk biscuits (try the livermush if you want a local favorite), along with buffets at breakfast and lunch. Come hungry. Details: 704-483-5995.

See the Sights: Bird Brain Ostrich Ranch on Little Mountain Road (www.birdbrainranch.com) features a tour of the farm and samples of dishes prepared with ostrich meat.

You’re from Sherrill’s Ford if … the Bandys-Maiden football game is the highlight of your social calendar.

Don’t Miss: The Murray’s Mill Festival, last weekend in September, www.catawbahistory.org/murrays_mill_harvest_folk_festival.php