Over 500 years ago, Native Americans traveled through the area that is now Powhatan Confederacy. They used the area as a kind of preserve or natural area.
Chief Powhatan (from the Library of Congress)
While their villages were in the coastal region of Virginia, these Native Americans spent some of their time in Central Virginia. They came to use native stones for making projectile points and bowls or vessels. As their technology advanced, they used local clay to fire pottery.
Willis Mountain (about 15 miles away from Holliday Lake State Park) was a gathering place where meetings and ceremonies would take place. Small bands of Native Americans would have met there infrequently (maybe once every few years).
The headwaters of Holliday Lake
The Morris Field Site along the Appomattox River, was the site of Dr. Jim Jordan, collected a very large number of artifacts that the Native Americans left behind.
Holliday Lake today
When I think about the people who lived in this area long before I came along, it makes me want to take better care of this land. Just as they left something beautiful for me to enjoy, I want to leave things just as nice (or maybe a little better) for those who will come after me.
Just as the Native Americans found a place of quiet solitude, you can too find that at Holliday Lake State Park. The park is open every day of the year from daylight until dusk.
click here, or call the park office at 434-248-6308 or by email.
Drive Time: Northern Virginia, three and a half hours; Richmond, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, four hours; Roanoke, two hours. Click here for a map.