Jim Butt House - South Mills, NC + Edenton NC

Item: While doing some research for the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Project at the Wilson Library - this book is found and Vollis Simpson Whirligigs featured on the cover. But inside are some other interesting stories of creative characters in North Carolina. one is Jim Butt and his dream house in the book Signs and Wonders - Outsider Art Inside North Carolina for the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh.

Here is what we are looking for in South Mills and the story in book already suggests that the place is in a deteriorating condition. Donna was captivated by the story so we headed for the Elizabeth City area through thousand acre farming territory.

In this direction to the Coastal Plain of eastern North Carolina are wide open spaces with farms in the thousand acre magnitude.

What we actually found was a referral by the locals to talk to the man behind the barber pole. Floyd Albertson proved to be a valuable resource on Jim Butt who in fact helped him build this barber shop. Floyd says that Jim was genius but misunderstood. In fact when folks in Perquimans County where Jim had farms and timber lands held his feet to the fire about a bootleg liquor still illegally operating on his land he moved to Camden County and bought a place in South Mills. On this same spot is where Jim started to build his Dream House. Floyd recounted that Jim was schooled and intelligent and knew Bible lineage back to the ancients. Jim often walked with Floyd to the nearby church and had a quick step. Floyd often found Jim at home and already at work on his house on his return.

Here at the corner of Swamp Rd. and Bass Lake Rd. is the sight of the Dream House. Floyd tells the story of the house being a magnet for the high school age kids to congregate for fun and mischief so that the place was demolished. Nothing remains
This is the bridge Floyd spoke of and beyond it in woods still remain some scattered concrete monuments that I was not suitably dressed to invade the underbrush for. Maybe this winter.

Also found in South Mills: The Dismal Swamp Canal and a story of the battle for it during the Civil War.

The Dismal Swamp Canal still sees traffic from visitors boating through it from US, Canada and beyond on the inland waterway system.

On the way to the Jim Butt house is Edenton, NC. Found in Edenton: A Jazz festival at the waterfront and the trolley running on time, a nice downtown, and history. See more at http://www.visitedenton.com/ . Here are some images from the town.

View of the gardens at the rear of the Cupola House from the cupola on the top via the spiral staircase.
Gardens in front of the Cupola House in Edenton, NC and more found at http://www.cupolahouse.org/

View to the river from the cupala (Widows Walk) at the top ot Cupola House in Edenton.

The fence that the art department is now requesting for the front of 806 Broad St.
The Coast Guard is here with a buoy tender for the Cape Fear River area.
The oldest house in Edenton, NC and well guarded from pirate landings.
Some Edenton waterfront property - some offered through Sotheby's Realty.