Interview with Ray Von Caldwell [electronic resource], 2002 October 18.

ArchivalResource

Caldwell, Ray Von, 1931-. Interview with Ray Von Caldwell [electronic resource], 2002 October 18.

Interview with Ray Von Caldwell [electronic resource], 2002 October 18.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/650538790

This interview is part of a project to stimulate discussion of land use and values; increase awareness of rural attitudes towards the land; enable sponsoring conservancies to reach the rural population; and to challenge conservation groups to consider cultural effect of conservation. Ray Von Caldwell lives in the Caldwell Township of Catawba County. He mentioned the Drum family as being large landowners and a predominant family. As a member of the planning board, he has tried to keep the population density from becoming too large. Land plots in this township can be scattered and disconnected. Mr. Caldwell owns the land behind his house and various small patches, but the majority of his land is a few miles from his house. His opportunity to buy the land behind his house came when a relative died and stated in her will that he was to be given an opportunity to purchase the land before it was sold on public auction. Land that is sold at auction is usually bought by speculators in Hickory, N.C. and turned into trailer parks. Mr. Caldwell's family first came to the Catawba County area of North Carolina around 1780. His ancestors were listed in the first (1790) North Carolina census. Their property was originally obtained through land grants and the land has been continuously held by someone in the Caldwell family. The Caldwells have always been farmers, first growing cotton, and after the boll weevil infestation, soybeans and wheat. Mr. Caldwell ends the interview discussing the investments and risks related to farming today.

University of North Carolina, Charlotte, J. Murrey Atkins Library