There were a series of earthquakes recorded on December 15, 1811, January 12, 1812, and two on February 1st in 1812 associated with the New Madrid, MO quake.  The quake leveled a log cabin that had existed on this property owned by George Locke.  The quake caused many properties of that time to change ownership as many chose to leave and others took advantage of that opportunity. 

    Wilfred Turner became the owner of the home about 1840. Mr. Turner and Mr. Notley Tomlin developed Turnersburg Mill in 1849 on Rocky Creek where many of the tapestries currently in the home were milled.

     Wilfred Turner and his sons-in-law, M. K. Steele and L. T. Stimpson, rebuilt the mill in 1890 after the original mill burned in a fire.  A gin and general store were constructed and houses were built for the people who worked in these various enterprises.  The water power to run some machinery in use was obtained from Rocky Creek.  The property was continually in the hands of the Stimpsons, Steeeles, Turners, and Tomlins for over 100 years.

    The eldest son of Wilfred Turner was Columbus Lafayette Turner.  His grandson, Walter Turner, is writing a book due out in 2008 containing the Civil War writings of his grandfather.

   The youngest son of Wilfred Turner, Wilfred Dent Turner, was born here.  He was Lt. Governor of North Carolina from 1901 to 1905. 

    In 1940, Turnersburg was bought by C. V. Henkel and Robert Spilman.  After a short while, C. V. Henkel bought Robert Spilman's interest and also bought the Wilfred Turner house. 

     C. V. and his mother restored and enlarged the former Wilfred Turner house until it contained fourteen rooms.  The house was painted pale yellow with white trim and dark green blinds.  The yard was beautified and enclosed with a white picket fence.  Some of the boxwood in the yard were brought there by Lila Spilman from her Knoxville home.  Henkel added the Cottage, Carriage house, and Barn.

     C. V. continued to buy land until he owned over 1000 acres.  The creek at the foot of the hill behind the house was dammed, stocked with fish, and a boat house was built.  C. V. Henkel represented the country for five terms in the state senate and died at his Turnersburg home.

    C. V. Henkel formed a partnership with L. P. Henkel and D. J. Craig called the Henkel-Craig Live Stock Company. In addition to dealing in horses, mules and cattle (and later automobiles), they ran a hack line (horse-drawn taxi) between Lenoir and Blowing Rock, catering to the tourist trade. During the 1910s, they formed the Blowing Rock Development Company and acquired the landmark Green Park Hotel (built in 1891). In 1915, the Blowing Rock Development Company constructed a nine-hole golf course on surrounding acreage. This was no small feat, as the land they chose was entirely forested. In 1922, an additional nine holes was cleared. At some point, the Green Park Hotel was expanded and modernized by Craig and his partners.
     
   The newspaper, "The Blowing Rocket" was begun as a tabloid by state Senator C.V. Henkel in June 1932. 

    Thoroughbred show horses were pastured and trained here.  Night Owl, foaled in Turnersburg, was sold to the US Olympic team.  He became the favorite mount of the team captain and was shown in Ireland, Sweden and other foreign countries as well as in America.  As the horses grew older, they were turned out to pasture.  Both Night Owl and C. V. Henkel's favorite, Red Sails, are buried in the front pasture.

     There are plenty of interesting stories about the property; ask Patrick to tell you the stories about Senator Henkel's pink Cadillac or the clandestine visit to the home by President Lyndon Johnson when you visit!

     The Waldrons are the current owners of Cedarridge.  Patrick Waldron has owned the home since 1981.  He is an internationally known designer and artist.  Many of his murals can be seen in Iredell County and many of his artworks are on the walls of the home.  Visit Patrick's websites at http://www.walldrawn.com and http://www.waldrondesign.com.

      Wendy joined Patrick in 1999 and is a web and graphics designer as well as award winning photographer.  Both Pat and Wendy are romantics and have lovingly decorated the 1812 Hitching Post with treasures and finds that have captured their hearts.  

When looking for a place to get married themselves, the Waldrons discovered how difficult it was to plan an intimate, stylish, romantic wedding that is unique and creative without spending a fortune.   They created The 1812 Hitching Post so brides of today could still have the elegance and comfort of a wedding in a homey setting from the past.