The Haw River

History

The Haw River was first named the Hau River by John Lawson.The name "Haw" was derived from the indigenous name for the river, Saxapahaw, which is also the name of a small town on the river banks. The river is approximately 110 miles long, and is located in North Carolina. The Haw River passes through many important locations of North Carolina, such as Greensboro, Piedmont, Burlington, and Rockingham County. The Haw River is also home to a great variety of animals, including many different types of fish. The banks of the Haw River encompass a beautiful winery; a nice place to spend time with friends and family as well as enjoy various red and white wines. The Haw River is also great for canoeing, but can be very dangerous because of a large amount of chemical pollution coming from the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, the pollution of the Haw River has caused a near-extinction of many of the species that live there. ​Only canoe enthusiasts with a lot of experience should test their skills on the Haw River. A long time ago, people made up scary stories about this river; they say that there was a man that tortured children and raised goats, and that there are many spirits around the river. And if you are not brave enough you should not go canoeing in there at night.

Present Day Use

Nowadays, people go to the Haw River with their families to enjoy a beautiful day in the nature and wilderness. For those people that are passionate about fishing, there is still a great variety of fish to catch. The decline of the textile industry and activist groups have allowed the Haw River to begin rebuilding to the unpolluted state it was in before industries took over the area. This river also has very nice trails in which people can walk, and enjoy. The river is only 10-15 minutes away from Elon University, therefore, it is a great place for students and faculty to go to for a relaxing day. ​This river has many benefits to it, and there are ways for people of all types to enjoy it. Whether its canoeing, fishing, walking, swimming, or just relaxing, the Haw River is a great place to go. 

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The Town of Saxapawhaw

The town of Saxapahaw is a small town on the banks of the Haw River. As of 2000, the Census population was 1,418. Historically, the primary industry of the was textiles, with the Haw river providing a major conduit for the mills of the Town. Today, the old mill has been renovated into apartments for the residents of the town.

Canoeing and Kayaking

One of the main attractions of the town is the Haw River Canoe and Kayak Company, which runs and operates Canoe and Kayak tours on the Haw river.  Additionally,the Haw River Canoe and Kayak Company runs a number of classes in conjunction with Elon University.  These classes provide a fun activity for students in both the fall and spring.