FOBC Award to Mayor Mark Chilton

statement from Dave Otto, Friends of Bolin Creek:

Most of you know Mark Chilton as Mayor; some of you know him as the owner of Community Realty; and others know him as an enthusiastic old mill buff. Mayor Chilton's contributions to the community and to the Friends of Bolin Creek result from this unique blend of skills, experience and passion!

Let me give you an example. The foundation of an old mill is located a few hundred yards upstream of Spring Valley. Years ago friends told me that it had been built by Buck Taylor, who was the first steward of the University in 1795. Buck Taylor was a colorful rascal said to have been buried standing upright with a jug of whiskey in each hand. I enjoyed telling the legend of Buck Taylor, but was frustrated that we could not document the story.

One day I showed the mill site to Mark. Over the next few years he searched through old deed books and court records in Hillsborough. His first discovery was that John Castlebury had been approved to build the mill in 1763. Later he found that John “Buck” Taylor had purchased the land where the mill was located in 1803. Finally Mark found an entry that Taylor had been arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct, so there's some truth in the legend!

Mayor Chilton has also been helpful in another very important way. The Friends of Bolin Creek have been working hard for many years to conserve what remains of undeveloped land along Bolin Creek. We have always found the Mayor to be not only sympathetic, but willing to “walk the walk” to help us achieve that goal.

Therefore, the Friends of Bolin Creek are proud to award this framed banner to Mayor Chilton in recognition of his spirited efforts to preserve the Bolin Creek corridor and and his extensive contributions to researching the history of Bolin Creek.