This huge fairy stone is another unusual find at one of our original 1936 state parks, and was an entry into a recent photo contest. But we don't know very much about it.

Fairy Stone State Park Park Ranger Charlene Goad says the marker was placed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It measures 3 feet x 3 feet and can be located at the Spillway facing the cabin area. 

Huge Fairy Stone found at Fairy Stone State Park in Virginia, and guess what, it's old

PARK HISTORY

In the late 1920s various groups across the commonwealth began working towards the establishment of state parks in Virginia. It wasn't until 1933, however, with the establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that the state was able to begin building such a system. At that time, six areas were acquired, including Fairy Stone. Roanoke newspaper publisher Junius B. Fishburn donated the 4,741-acre site, making it the largest of the six original parks and one of the largest to this day.

The CCC provided the labor and materials for the construction of the park from 1933 until the CCC camp was removed in the spring of 1941. Roads, trails, picnic areas, cabins, a restaurant, bathhouse, dam and sanitation system are all part of the original CCC construction. Their handiwork is still evident in the park's log cabins.

HUNTING FAIRY STONES

The typical fairy stones can be held between the end of your fingertips, they aren't very large, in fact many people like to turn them into charms for a necklace or bracelet. They certainly don't compare to the 3 foot x 3 foot monster pictured above. But they are naturally occurring, unlike the man-made version we're talking about.

Here's a natural Maltese fairy stone I found at the park

Nancy Heltman shared "In case you are unfamiliar with Fairy Stones, there is a legend and these unique "stones" are rare and only found in a few places across the globe. They are plentiful in Patrick County and if you have time and patience to do a proper hunt you will find some. They have been considered good luck pieces and it is rumored that presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson as well as other historical figures carried them for this purpose. Local artisans clean them up and file them to make jewelry pieces.

The Legend of the Fairy Stone

              It is said that long, long, ago fairies inhabited a certain quiet and remote region in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The fairies roamed freely, enjoying the beauty and serenity of that enchanted place.

              One day, the fairies were playing in a sunny glade when an elfin messenger arrived from a far away city bearing the sad news of Christ’s death. When they heard the terrible details of the crucifixion, they wept. As their tears fell to the earth, they crystallized into little stone crosses. Though the fairies have long since disappeared, the little stone crosses, known as “fairy stones,” still remain as mementos in that enchanted spot.

Natural Wonders

              Fairy Stone State Park acquires its unique name from the stone crystals known as fairy stones. Formed and found within the park’s boundary, these stone crosses are composed of iron, aluminum and silicate. The name of this mineral compound is staurolite and like many other minerals, the staurolite formed in regular crystals. Single crystals are hexagonal, or six-sided, and singles often intersect at right angles to form the Roman or Maltese shape. In other instances, the singles intersect at forty-five degree angles to form St. Andrews crosses.

              The formation of the staurolite crystals involved an exact combination of heat and pressure provided by the folding and crumpling of the earth’s crust during the formation of the Appalachian Mountains. During the formation of the crystals, mineral deposits surrounding the crystals were also subjected to the same conditions and formed what is known as schist. The staurolite crystals are usually harder than the surrounding schist and less easily weathered. As the staurolite-bearing schist is weathered away, the more resistant crystals are uncovered and are found exposed at the earth’s surface. Occasionally staurolite can be found still embedded in its schist matrix.

Hunt Site

             Fairy stones can be found on park property by taking Fairystone Lake Drive (route 346) to route 57 east. Travel approximately three miles to the first service station on the left, The Fairy Stone Pitstop.

The land to the left of the station is park property and fairy stones can be hunted in that area.

A small number may be hunted and taken for personal use; however, commercial digging is not permitted." 

If you're interested in hunting these mysterious stone crosses at Fairy Stone State Park, just click here to read another fabulous article, or here. Turn by turn directions can be found here.

DO YOU KNOW?

We're wondering if you can help us out with this. Since we really don't know the story behind this old "man-made" fairy stone, but we're sure it was put there for a reason. As a memorial of some sort, we're certain.

OVERNIGHT

If you would like to explore Fairy Stone State Park or stay a few nights, we have 25 cabins and a gorgeous lodge open year-round, plus yurts and the campground which opens March 1. Click here for more information, or call 800-933-7275.

The park is really centered around the beautiful little lake, and oh yeah that has a unique history too, there is a town buried at the bottom, Fayerdale. But I better save that for another article...