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Robertson Millpond Preserve
Robertson Millpond
Location	Wake County, North Carolina, United States
Coordinates	35°49′17″N 78°24′53″W
Area	85 acres (34 ha)
Established	1820s
Website	[1]

Robertson Millpond Preserve

Robertson Millpond is an 85-acre preserve located in the northwest of Wendell, Wake County, North Carolina, United States. It was built circa 1820 by the damming of Buffalo Creek. The millpond has a rich history, and it is likely that Native Americans in the region lived and hunted along the creek.

Ecology

Robertson Millpond is recognized as Riverine swamp forest and/or non-tidal freshwater marsh . However, the decisions regarding wetland classifications are dependent on the definitions.

The blackwater cypress-gum swamp stands out as a unique ecosystem, given its northern and western location, hosting many species typically found in the coastal plain region. Buffalo Creek, known for its blackwater, meanders southeast from Rolesville until it converges with the Little River near Kenly, eventually joining the Neuse River near Goldsboro. In many areas, medium-aged to mature bald cypress trees create a dense, closed canopy, offering habitat for swamp rose and various coastal plain plants, shrubs, and vines like coastal fetterbush and sweetspire. During spring, you can find the Virginia blue flag blooming near the boat dock, a species primarily found in the coastal plain region.

Wildlife

Approximately 70 bird species have been documented at the millpond, including wood and black ducks, screech and great horned owls, belted kingfisher, anhinga, double-crested cormorant, yellow-billed cuckoo, northern flicker, prairie warbler, prothonotary warbler and various woodpeckers. Great blue herons have a rookery in the swamp. Also the area is home to river otter, muskrat, beaver, northern cricket frog, Cope’s gray treefrog, bullfrog, green frog, snapping turtle, painted turtle and cottonmouth. Upstream from the pond, beaver dams have created habitat for herbaceous plants like American bur-reed, smartweed, lizard’s tail, spotted water-hemlock, green arrow-arum, eastern featherbells, woolgrass and various sedges and rushes .

Plants and Trees

Although bald cypress trees comprise a significant portion of canopy coverage within the pond, with American sweetgum, other common species, such as swamp chestnut oak and red maple, and a variety of shrubs, including tag alder, swamp rose, coastal fetterbush and Virginia sweetspire, grow. The most commonly identified plant species at Robertson Millpond Preserve include red maple, green ash, roundleaf greenbrier, and Eastern poison ivy. Invasive plant species like Chinese privet and Japanese stiltgrass were also discovered.

Southern Blue Flag (Iris virginica)

History

The 1820s dam created the blackwater swamp and pond, which eventually evolved into a densely covered canopy of cypress trees.

In the 1820s, William Avera managed a 600-acre farm and gristmill with his wife and two children, likely overseeing the construction of the dam and mill. Subsequent land sales in 1887 and 1914 transferred ownership to the Robertson family, after whom the road and pond are named. The Robertson family cultivated the land west of the pond and likely operated the mill until the 1940s. In 1960, the Charles Robertson estate was divided among surviving heirs into 11 tracts, with Nettie Robertson Fowler inheriting the millpond. Her family ran a boathouse on the pond during the 1960s, offering wooden boats for fishing rentals.

Existing structure of mill foundation

Recognizing its historical significance, the dam and mill foundation were designated as a Wake County Historic Landmark in 2014. Visitors to the preserve can still observe the dam, mill foundation, and an original millstone, accompanied by informational displays providing more details about the site's history.

Recreation and Facilities

Entrance

Picnic area

Kayaking

The view from the observation deck

The main recreational activities include paddling, hiking/walking trails, picnic, and fishing. There is a 1.15 mile paddling-trail and an ADA accessible boardwalk and walking path, a picnic area, and an open playground. There is no restroom or drinking water at the site. The park opens from 8am to sunset except for the holidays. The peak season for this area typically spans from May, around Mother’s Day, until the first weekend of August.