John Hawkins, local historian and native of Caldwell County will be guest speaker on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. This will mark the 82nd anniversary of the 1940 flood.
On August 13, 1940, in the mountains of western North Carolina an event of epic proportions occurred that is still discussed today. Even those who were not old enough to have first-hand memories of it, or who were born after the flood occurred, have stories to tell. The little Watauga County community of Stony Fork was one of the hardest hit. Stories from that community sound like a Hollywood movie. Some of the players were relatives of John Hawkins, including his grandmother and an aunt’s husband, who narrowly escape with their lives. His parents, who were living in Caldwell County, also had their experiences. Most of the information presented will be Watauga County-related. Those who know Caldwell or other counties stories are invited to attend and to share during the question-and-answer time.
