Post Helene Inspection of Huguenot Cross Site at New Bordeaux

There were misty eyes as we saw for the first time the granite marker now resting in a pile of matchsticks (former trees). It has survived the storm but the surroundings are greatly changed.

For weeks we have all seen the tremendous destruction of Helene. While our first concern is our membership and everyone in the wake of the storm, we have been checking the cross sites as able. New Bordeaux is about three and a half hours from Charleston and we owe a great debt of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Mike Dorn of Abbeville County, SC who made their way down a fallen tree riddled forestry road and then climbed over more trees into the one acre of the cross site along the river. We are relieved by their report that the granite marker still stands and has not suffered any damage. Readers may recall the Society visited the cross site in August and shared photographs of the lovely pines around the site and the view of the cross from the forestry road. Compare that to the images shared in this post and the shock of the loss of trees is evident. Click here to read the August report.

Mr. and Mrs. Dorn have voluntarily cared for the marker site for over eight years and the Society greatly appreciates their kindness and generosity. Mike Dorn sat down with us to record a podcast episode to share their dedication to the site and the experience of inspecting it after Helene. The podcast will post later this week and we encourage everyone to listen for a first hand account of the site.

In these early days it is unclear how the site will be cleared of fallen trees. The road leading to it is a forestry road and it will have to be cleared first. The Society will work closely with Mr. Dorn who is graciously helping us at the local level to keep us posted on progress and when we can engage to assist with clearing the cross site. Members, we will let you know if and when a fundraising effort is required to restore the one acre around the marker. Keep in your prayers our friends in McCormick and the Abbeville area. Numerous historic cemeteries were damaged and there will be much to restore once the urgent needs are addressed.

THE CROSS SITE AND MARKER: We feel very blessed the cross was not crushed given the amount of devastation around it.

THE ROAD INTO THE CROSS SITE: Riddled with downed trees, the forestry road will take some time to clear.