The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge covers about 190 square miles. This project examines a 46 square mile corner of that. LiDAR and satellite data allow us to target certain spots and GPS helps us get to them. Even so, finding what we’re looking for can feel a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Today, after several hours of bashing our way through reeds and vines and shrubbery, eliminating more potential spots from the list than we kept on it, we saw something. The terrain wasn’t right: we’re looking for dry islands and this area was mostly soggy. Some meters away, barely visible amongst the brush was an iron wheel. Closer inspection revealed four such wheels- the chassis of a small railcar made in Richmond, VA in 1914 (not all artifacts have such clear labels).
Here was a reminder that the 18th and 19th century enslaved laborers and African-American maroons are only one chapter in the human history of the Dismal. Lumbering continued after the Civil War until the 1970s and early 20th century laborers laid (and moved) temporary tracks for cars like this one throughout the Swamp to help move lumber and supplies hither and yon.
Here also was a reminder to keep our eyes open even if the surroundings don’t match our ideal. Becoming too focused, having tunnel vision, risks missing other important discoveries. This haystack contains many needles and we found one today.
swampscapes 