History is Standing Strong on Reedy Creek

HISTORY IS STANDING STRONG

By David Perry

HISTORY IS STANDING STRONG

It was a chilly February day that took me down the winding roads of Halifax County to Reedy Creek and Larry Roller’s wooded retreat. In 2019, Larry conserved his family farm with the Blue Ridge Land Conservency. Larry met me in the wonderful “tree house” - a small structure on stilts - that he started as a project for his grandchildren. We sat in his office up in the air chatting about the land, how he acquired it, and his family history in the area while the wind rocked and swayed the trees, and us.

Larry’s family acquired about 500 acres of land in the late 1800s. It was eventually divided amongst seven children. Larry has been fortunate to have access to the land since his childhood and naturally it holds many fond memories for him. His family at one time grew tobacco on the land and have always used it for hunting. The history of the land is an interesting one that still holds on today. In the 1840s a grist mill was built on Reedy Creek to serve the local residents. While the Mosley family built it, the locals have always called the mill Lloyd’s Mill. To run the mill the builders dammed Reedy Creek and created a seven-acre pond to feed a canal that ran to the mill. The water from the canal could be controlled to turn the wheel and power the mill mechanisms. In 1940 a flood caused the pond to breech the dam and the mill ceased operation. The old mill stood for a long time after the flood until vandals came and cut beams from the structure eventually causing it to fall. old mill. Larry shared with me what he has done to create habitat for a variety of animals. He has planted switch grass and partridge pea as cover for quail, which he likes to hunt. He sees the land as a wildlife habitat, not a commodity as many see it. He compared it to having a family pet. The land does not have a voice and needs someone to be an advocate for it. Most people would not give a pet away without knowing it was going to be taken care of and Larry believes it is the same with the land.

When asked why he chose to put a conservation easement on his land Larry was quick to name Ward Burton as a friend and influencer. Ward Burton is the founder of the Ward Burton Wildlife

Landowner Larry Roller stands by the remains of Lloyd’s Mill on Reedy Creek in Halifax County.

Foundation and has played a significant role in conservation in Southern Virginia. Larry says he has learned a lot about habitat management and conservation from Ward over the years.

Larry says that every time he walks the land he sees something different. As I walked with him I could understand just what he meant. The landscape is so varied, from field to forest to creek there is a lot of diversity to be found. Throughout his life Larry’s father showed him by example to be happy with what you have, and it is clear that Larry is very happy with the land where Reedy Creek runs, the wind sings through the trees, and history remains for all to see.