Adam Spach Park

A New Chapter in the Life of Adam Spach

Some might say, “It’s a miracle!” Some might say, “The stars are aligning!” Whatever the perspective one may choose, the fact is that we are seeing events falling into place for the realization of a beautiful historic park at the Adam Spach Rock House property (see pictures at right) right outside the southwestern corner of the original Wachovia tract in the Friedberg area. Through the hard work of our Properties Committee, comprised of Dr. Ricky Sides, Chair, John Hauser, John Larson, Peck Spach, Bill Phillips, Jimmie Snyder, Rob Spaugh and Michelle DeLapp, the historic park is in sight. Meetings have been held with the NC Department of Historic Preservation, the NC Archaeology Department, Preservation NC, and the Davidson County Planning and Recreation Departments to collaborate on a park design.  The park will have walking trails, historic markers, and informational kiosks will be placed throughout the park and on the portion of the old Cape Fear Road (circa 1750s) which is the eastern boundary of the Rock House property. This particular section of road was the major highway to the Cape Fear area of NC, Charleston, SC, and all points southeast during the settlement of the Wachovia tract. The stone bridge buttresses are still visible on both sides of Millers Creek.

The conversation for a park at the Adam Spach Rock House property began in 1917. Mr. Henry Wesley Foltz, a member of WHS, urged the Society to “investigate and take such action as might be deemed advisable” to purchase and preserve the Rock House property. Mr. Foltz began preparing to assist in raising funds for the project by compiling a book, Descendants of Spach, published in 1924. The proceeds of the sale of the book established the Adam Spach Rock House Fund, which helped provide for the purchase of the property in 1930. On October 9, 1927, Mr. Foltz presented a program on the life of Adam Spach at the Rock House site, and nearly 1,000 descendants and neighbors were in attendance. On June 9, 1930, two deeds were recorded giving WHS ownership of the property and an avenue of approach. Henry Foltz died on May 1, 1933, realizing this first chapter in the life of the Adam Spach property and WHS.

Through the decades to follow, many attempts were made to reignite the flame for the project, and some were almost successful. Other pressing matters, however, took priority as WHS grappled with very important issues pertaining to the preservation of our artifact collection and document archives, which since have become the foundation for the collection at Old Salem Museums & Gardens and the Moravian Archives of the Moravian Church, Southern Province. Throughout the 1950s, all attention went to the restoration of Old Salem, a project in which WHS played an integral role.

Who was Adam Spach (see gravestone at right), and why is he important in our history? Research reveals that Adam Spach was first and foremost a man of great strength of character. He did not pursue fame or wealth but simply focused on serving. When he first heard of a settlement to be established in the backwoods of Carolina, he wasted no time in coming with his wife, infant son, and worldly goods to the area, after immigrating from Alsace (on the border of France and Germany, but today officially part of France). As the trustees of the new Wachovia tract were not even ready to begin selling tracts in 1754, Spach purchased a 260-tract just south of the Wachovia tract line where he built a small log cabin. As the French and Indian War wore on and having to take refuge in forted Bethabara, Spach built a 30′ by 36′ stacked-stone house, complete with portals for long rifles. This house was built over a spring with an opening in the basement walls for livestock to come in.

Adam Spach believed deeply in both intellectual and spiritual training. After traveling some 14 miles by wagon or horse to attend church services in Bethabara for several years, Spach also held worship services in his home. Not long after, a group of neighbors joined together to build a meeting house for both school and church which were the beginnings of Friedberg Moravian Church. Spach donated the land upon which Friedberg’s God’s Acre is located, and he built a road to Bethabara to facilitate faster transportation. He served his fellow Moravians by hauling goods to and from Bethabara or Salem to outlying areas. Spach was the person the settlers looked to in dealing with the Crown pertaining to their conscientious objector status and with delivering the Moravian “declaration” to the Governor’s military leadership. In most cases, harsh fines were levied against the Moravians because of this moral code. Spach had no problem, however, in transporting supplies to the Patriots when the Revolution was in full swing.

Probably the greatest contribution of Adam & Maria Spach are their progeny. Numbering by now in the tens of thousands, many of his descendants remained in Piedmont North Carolina, and built the area. Names like Foltz, Fishel, Berrier, Mickey, Sides, Hanes, Hartman, Mendenhall, Tesh, Korner, Snyder, Stoltz, Reich, Patterson, Gray, Bahnson, Fries, Shaffner, Kimel, Vogler, Stewart, Ebert, Miller, Rothrock, Thomas, Lee, Leonard, Link, Teague, Knouse, Hauser, Ledford, Leinbach, and more, all fall into the line of descendants of Adam Spach.

Many of these families have made lasting contributions to our communities and quality of life. This digression into the life of Adam Spach is important in understanding the cause of this fitting tribute to one who was determined to make a better life not only for his own family but also his neighbors as well. We are better off as a society because he lived among us.

Now back to the Park…..The Adam Spach Rock House project will be done in phases. The first phase involved clearing the property for an in-depth archaeological study overseen by Mo Hartley, retired Archaeologist of Old Salem. In 2002, Mo and Martha Hartley were instrumental in conducting the research for the National Registry of Historic Places application. The property received that coveted designation on June 14, 2002. Walking trails, picnic areas, and historical markers will follow. The project will progress as grants and contributions are realized. We are grateful for this opportunity to be a part of providing this space for recreation, meditation, and good health, and in commemorating a life well-lived. Please join us as we embark on this preservation journey. We hope that Adam and Maria Spach and their descendants are smiling today!

Phase 1

With much excitement, members of the Wachovia Historical Society watched in mid-March 2022 as heavy equipment began clearing the undergrowth and dead trees from the 6.27-acre Adam Spach Rock House site, making way for the upcoming archaeological study. Since 1917, the WHS has discussed plans for a park at the site but was delayed by understandable priorities: the Depression, WWII, and the restoration of Old Salem in the 4 decades following the mid-1950s. But as development encroached around the park, the WHS Board recommitted to making the Adam Spach Historic Park a reality. At a time when preserving natural spaces amid living spaces is paramount, the park will also provide the recreation and green space needed in every growing community. Most importantly, the treasured history of our area will also be preserved, giving food for thought to younger generations of the toil and sacrifice exhibited in settling and surviving in the backcountry of North Carolina in the 1700’s.

We are grateful for the members who have contributed to the Adam Spach Rock House Fund, and we encourage you all to have a part in this momentous time in our history. Simply click on the “Donate” button on our website’s home page. Then select in the drop-down menu “The Adam Spach Rock House Fund.” All gifts are tax-deductible.

Phase 2

With the Phase I archaeological study having been completed in June 2022, Wachovia Historical Society moved forward with Phase II. Quotations were gathered for the park’s various elements, and grant applications were submitted.

Adam Spach Park Paver Brick Program

Whether or not you are a descendant of Adam Spach, you can perpetually honor your ancestor or loved one through our brick paver program which adds your own legacy as we pave the “Descendants Way” walkway and the circular surround of the historic monument at the Adam Spach Historic Park.

Order your brick and ensure your place in the park walkway! Pavers come in two sizes – 4″ x 4″ with three lines of text and 8″ x 8″ with five lines of text.  These funds will be placed in a designated fund to maintain the park for years to come! 

Foltz Family Donates Special Gift

At a very appropriate time in the history of WHS, the Herman E. Foltz heirs have made a special gift to the Society in the form of the copyright to the book Adam and Maria Spach, Their Family; a chronicle of the descendants of Adam Spach from the first generation in 1753 with the birth of their first son, Johann Adam Spach, down to the current generation.

In addition to the copyright, the Herman Foltz heirs, Susan L. Foltz and Lynne Foltz Bostick have donated 28 of the remaining numbered First Edition copies of the book to the Society. The book, comprised of 1,002 pages, also contains pictures of some of the descendants as early as the third generation and other important historical information of the settlement of the Friedberg area. The book comprises 1,002 pages and is an invaluable research tool for a family that was instrumental in the progress of the early Moravian settlements of Wachovia.

Herman Foltz spent the remaining 30 years of his life traveling all over the country gathering genealogies, pictures, and information in the day before computers came onto the scene for research. The book was published in 1999 and the following year Mr. Foltz passed away. Wachovia Historical Society, Inc. expresses its deepest appreciation for the gift of this work which will be used by researchers and family members alike for generations to come.

Proceeds from the sale of the remaining 28 copies of Adam and Maria Spach, Their Family; will go toward the Adam and Maria Spach Park Project currently underway. To order a copy, please click below: