Fairy Stone State Park in Virginia is known for its staurolite crystals, which are said to have been formed from fairy tears at the news of Jesus’ crucifixion. The park offers camping, hiking, swimming, and fishing, and was created from land donated by Julius B. Fishburn in 1933. The land was originally owned by Native Americans and later by the Hairston family, who established an iron forge.
Fairy Stone State Park is a public park operated by the state of Virginia in the United States. It consists of approximately 4,537 acres (18.36 square kilometers) of land near the city of Stuart, Virginia. Fairy Stone State Park gets its name from the coveted cross-shaped staurolite crystals usually found in abundance there. Local legend has it that these stones were born when fairies, who are said to have inhabited this region many centuries before the life of the local Native American chief Powhatan, received news of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. The legend goes on to say that the fairies were so shocked by this news that they burst into tears, and these tears fell to the ground, turned to stone and took the shape of crosses.
The largest state park in Virginia, Fairy Stone State Park was created from land donated by local newspaper magnate Julius B. Fishburn in 1933. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the lake, cabins, campsites, and other park facilities. The park typically offers both tents and cabin camping facilities to visitors. Fairy Stone State Park also offers approximately 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) of hiking trails for visitors. Swimming in the park’s lake is generally permitted during the summer months, and fishing is also generally permitted for those with the appropriate license.
This park is generally famous for the staurolite crystals that are often found on its grounds. These crystals are usually made from a combination of iron, silica and aluminum. Mineral molecules typically form into crystals at acute angles to each other, so that fully formed staurolite crystals usually take on a cross shape. These crystals can appear in the shape of the letter X, like a Roman-style cross, or like a Maltese cross. The stones are often used as ornaments and have in the past been attributed magical protective powers.
The land that now comprises Fairy Stone State Park is believed to have originally belonged to Native Americans under Chief Powhatan until about 1780. At that time, the land was transferred to a European named George Hairston. Hairston and his brother John established an iron forge, which remained in their family until the time of the Civil War, when they sold the land and the forge fell into disuse.
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