Developer, Civil War buffs do battle

SPENCER, N.C. — The Civil War Preservation Trust has placed a patch of land north of Charlotte on its list of the nation's 25 most-endangered Civil War battlefields, but the land owner said no written evidence supports the claim and he plans to build a racetrack there.

The Charlotte Observer reports former Boston investment banker Dave Risdon wants to build a 2.15-mile racetrack on the land for amateur drivers of sports cars and motorcycles.

But preservationists say Confederates won their last victory in the Carolinas on the site in April 1865. Risdon says the fighting took place over the nearby Yadkin River, insisting there's no written evidence the battle took place on his land.

The town of Spencer has approved the project, concluding the land lost its historical significance long ago. Work on the track is delayed while Risdon seeks approval of an erosion control plan.

"We're not anti-development, but we try to get people to take a hard look at where they're trying to build things," said Mary Koik, a member of the group. "You can move a school — or in this case a racetrack — but you can't move a battlefield."

The dispute centers on a former textile mill and 130 acres of forest just north of the railroad town. The two sides disagree on how much of Risdon's land was occupied by troops during the 1865 battle for a vital railroad bridge over the Yadkin River.

The property is split by U.S. Route 29. To the west, 70 acres hold remnants of the N.C. Finishing Co. plant that abruptly closed in 2000. To the east is the race- way site, which Risdon said was mostly trees and bramble when he bought it.

Ann Brownlee, Risdon's most vocal critic, said evidence of the battle exists, including cannonballs and other artifacts found at the site, and an eyewitness account of a Union cavalryman being shot off his horse.

The planned racetrack would be "smack in the heart of the battleground. If you take out the heart, the periphery will be meaningless," she said.

Other preservationists agree, and several residents have written to local newspapers decrying Risdon's plans.

But Risdon said Brownlee's claim "is a complete fabrication." He said the fighting focused on a more compressed area.

"It took place over the Yadkin River. There is no written evidence that any of the fighting took place on my land."

Risdon plans to build a "country club" raceway with a clubhouse and 120 townhouses lining the track. The track also would be used for training, testing, corporate events and possibly sanctioned races.

Townhouse owners could use the track, for 60 days a year, to drive their cars or motorcycles. He already has deposits on 94 units.

But the rolling terrain remains undeveloped. Brownlee's group filed two lawsuits that were later dropped, and the town of Spencer annexed the land, hopeful of its economic benefits. The town zoning board approved the project in August, ruling the land's historical significance was lost decades ago.

Risdon still faces permit problems and the pending approval of the erosion control plan.

Despite those problems, Brownlee acknowledged there's not much more she can do.

"I keep my eye on Mr. Risdon, but legally we're at a roadblock," she said. "I only hope he gets a sudden appreciation for history."