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| Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area | |
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| North Carolina State Park | |
| Natural Monument (IUCN III) | |
 Outlook at Occoneechee
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| Named for: Occaneechi Tribe | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Orange |
| Location | |
| - coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Area | 124 acres (50.2 ha) |
| Highest point | |
| - elevation | 867 ft (264 m) |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Managed by | North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources |
| Nearest City | Hillsborough, North Carolina |
  Location of Occoneechee Mountain in North Carolina
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| Website : Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area | |
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area is a North Carolina state park in Orange County, North Carolina in the United States. Located near Durham, it covers 124 acres (0.5 km²) and includes Occoneechee Mountain, the highest point (867 ft) in Orange County and a settlement of the Occaneechi tribe.
History
Rising more than 350 feet (110 m) from the Eno River, the Occoneechee Mountain summit is the highest point in Orange County. The summit is also reported to be the highest point between Hillsborough, NC and the Atlantic Ocean.
Researchers believe that the area's habitat has remained relatively unchanged since the last Ice Age due to the presence of the brown elfin, a rare butterfly, and several unique plant species. The brown elfin is typically found in mountainous and northern areas, and the nearest brown elfin population to Occoneechee is more than 100 miles (160 km) west. When the Piedmont's habitat underwent enormous transformations after the Ice Age, the area became unable to support the brown elfin and other species more accustomed to cooler environments. Brown elfins, believed to have once populated the Piedmont, were restricted to the state's mountains. However, the brown elfin butterflies at Occoneechee Mountain remained.
The land the state natural area now sits on was originally settled by the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, who traveled to the mountain from the west. In the colonial period, European immigrants settled the area. Until 1987,[1] a mill village occupied a section of the natural area. The NC Division of Parks and Recreation first purchased land at Occoneechee Mountain in December 1997. Since then, the natural area has grown to nearly 124 areas.
References
- ^ "Occoneechee State Natural Area". Eno River Association. Retrieved on 2007-07-16.
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