Ransom Hunter & Freedom Rock

Ransom Hunter and Freedom Rock. . This park was once home to Ransom Hunter, a successful Black landowner, entrepreneur and founder of the Freedom Community. He lived here with his family from 1865 until his passing in 1918. While genealogical research cannot confirm how or when Ransom Hunter entered slavery, we know that both he and his parents, Mike and Julia Hunter were born in North Carolina. His family, including other family members were connected to the Humphrey Hunter plantation, of which his family shares the surname. He may have been loaned out or apprenticed to the Hoyle Plantation where he learned and used his carpentry skills. Mr. Hunter and his wife secured their freedom and acquired land, including this park property. He used his skills in carpentry and blacksmithing to build a cabin and barn, which grew into a successful business. His success allowed him to purchase surrounding farmland. By 1901, he had acquired acreage across Mount Holly., Over time, Mr. Hunter helped other newly freed families become property owners by selling or donating land for houses, schools, churches, and businesses., Freedom Rock has been a community landmark for generations. During Ransom Hunter's time, customers would wait at Freedom Rock while he refreshed their horses and repaired their wagons. Riders would stand on the rock to mount their horses., (captions) , This is an archival photo taken around 1910, this early photograph shows Ransom Hunter next to his home. The house was set on large stones and designed in the same floor plan as the main house at Hoyle Homestead., The first Black school in Gaston County was built on land provided by Ransom Hunter at the site of the A. M. Rollins School next door., "Freedom Rock" at the corner of West Glendale Avenue and South Hawthorne Street, view south