Fairystones. Most people will look at you funny when you say Fairystone. But, around here it is a common term that most everyone knows off. So what is a Fairystone. Lets start with Fairystone State Park.
Fairystone State Park opened on June 15, 1936 and is home to the mysterious "Fairystones." The park's cross-shaped, namesake stone is abundant in the region, which also features beautiful scenery, history and ample recreational opportunities that make Fairy Stone a favorite State Park. The park is 4,868 acres, making it the largest of the six original parks and one of the largest to this day. The park, its lake and many structures still in use were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The Legend of the Fairystone: (Source: Department of Conservation & Recreation)
Many hundreds of years before Chief Powhatan's reign, fairies were dancing around a spring of water, playing with naiads and wood nymphs, when an elfin messenger arrived from a city far away. He brought news of the death of Christ. When these creatures of the forest heard the story of the crucifixion, they wept. As their tears fell upon the earth, they crystallized to form beautiful crosses.
For many years people held these little crosses in superstitious awe, firm in the belief that they protected the wearer against witchcraft, sickness, accidents and disaster. Fairy stones are staurolite, a combination of silica, iron and aluminum. Staurolite crystalizes in twin form at 60 or 90 degrees fahrenheit, which accounts for the stone's cross-like structure. Found only in rocks having been subjected to great heat and pressure, the mineral was formed long, long ago, during the rise of the Appalachian Mountains. The stones are most commonly shaped like St. Andrew's cross, an "X," but "T" shaped Roman crosses and square Maltese crosses are the most sought-after.
The rare staurolite stones are found elsewhere but not in such abundance as at Fairy Stone State Park.
If you are thinking of moving to VA or even making a trip, call me and I'll show you how to find Fairystones in one of the most abundant places in Patrick County and the #1 tourist destination for finding them.
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