McGalliard Falls Park, located in Valdese, NC in the heart of Burke County, is a wonderful place to take the kids to splash in the water, view a spectacular waterfall, and learn a little bit of local history.
The park is lush and green and boasts the natural 40-foot McGalliard Falls that the park is named after. There are many vantage points from which you can view the falls, from the top or the bottom. There is a small sandy beach at the foot of the falls and a wide, shallow creek with easy access that the kids can splash around in and search for fish. Nature trails, picnic areas, four lighted tennis courts, a volleyball court, playground swings, and restrooms are other amenities available when visiting the park.
An awesome feature of the park is the old Meytre Grist Mill that sits at the side of the falls. From April through October, on the first Saturday of each month, Valdese Public Works has the waterwheel operating from 10am to 6pm so it's a great time to see the mill in action.
Fun history lesson for the kids: A grist mill grinds grain into flour. A man named Fred Meytre constructed the park’s grist mill in 1906, but a flood in 1916 destroyed the original. It was rebuilt and stayed in operation grinding corn for corn meal, wheat for flour and hammer meal for livestock feed until it closed in 1941. Meytre became too old at this point to operate the mill on his own, and many of his younger workers were being called to serve in World War II. Valdese Parks and Recreation Department opened McGalliard Falls Park around the falls in 1982 and rebuilt the mill to look similar to the one operated by Meytre after operation ceased in 1941. The waterwheel was recently replaced in 2016 after a tree damaged the previous wheel beyond repair. FDA regulations now limit the mill’s output to products not for human consumption.
Plan your visit to McGalliard Falls Park to enjoy family time in nature while checking out this remarkable part of Valdese heritage! The park is located at 1400 Falls Rd NW in Valdese; for more information or to reserve the picnic shelter, contact the Valdese Recreation Department at 828-879-2132.
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