Bladen County | was formed in 1734 from New Hanover County. Located in the SE section of the state, it is bounded by Sampson, Pender, Columbus, Robeson, and Cumberland Counties. It was named for Martin Bladen (1680-1746), English soldier and politician who was commissioner of trade and plantations, 1717-46. Area: 891 sq. mi. County seat: Elizabethtown, elevation 121 ft. Townships are Abbotts, Bethel, Bladenboro, Brown Marsh, Carvers Creek, Central, Colly, Cypress Creek, Elizabethtown, French's Creek, Hollow, Lake Creek, Turnbull, White Oak, and Whites Creek. Produces turkeys, chickens, tobacco, corn, soybeans, oats, peanuts, grapes, blueberries, hogs, dairy livestock, wood products, and sand for concrete. |
Bladen Lakes State Forest | Bladen County, covers 35,875 acres, of which 1,000 acres around Jones, Singletary and Salters Lakes are reserved for park purposes and in which no cutting is done. Named for the lakes included in the area. Objectives: to build up the growing stock of timber on overcut and previously badly burned areas; to utilize all the resources of the area, including game, forestry demonstration, and recreation. Acquired by the state of North Carolina from the federal government in 1939. |