Early Settlers

Four Maxwell sisters and their families settled the community in 1790. All but one are buried in a small private cemetery on Rowan Road about half way between Psalm 23 Camp and the Gap. The Rowans of Gap Mills area decendants of one of those original families that settled the area.

Favorite Sons

Andrew S. Rowan, a hero of the Spanish-American War was born in Gap Mills. His fame was enhanced by the essay, "A Message to Garcia" written by Elbert Hubbard. Read more William J. Humphries, noted meteorological physicist was born in Gap Mills February 3, 1862. He obtained a Ph.D. in 1897 from Johns Hopkins University and became Directory of Mountain Weather Observatory. He became famous for research on stratosphere and authored Winds of Peters Mountain.

Winds of Peters Mountain

A very unusual wind blows along Peters Mountain. Only one other place in the world has a similar wind. It is a sea-born wind coming from the Atlantic Ocean in the stratosphere, or upper atmosphere. The wind then reverses direction and comes into the lower atmosphere. This "Mountain Wind" as the locals call it, blows more frequently in the fall, winter, and spring, but it can blow any time of year. It travels in a northeasterly direction extending no more than a mile or two away from the mountain. The wind tends to hug the mountain. At times one can hear the howling wind blowing on Peters Mountain while not feeling its affects at the main facilities at Psalm 23 Camp which are located on a foot hill of the mountain. It is a strong but warm wind that can melt snow in the middle of the night.

Wildlife

Guests at Psalm 23 Camp are most likely to see deer since they are quite plentiful. Additionally, wild turkey, rabbits, ground hogs, squirrels are abundant. Coyotes are also in the area, but seldom seen. They are predators that kill sheep, so guard dogs stay with our sheep flock to protect them.

Water

A local water bottling company has won the title of "Best Tasting Water in the World" four times during the past 10 years. That same Peters Mountain water supplies the farm and camp.

Temperatures

Summers are mild at the camp because of the high altitudes. The temperatures will reach as high as 90 degrees perhaps 2 times per summer.

Insects

Fortunately, very few pesky insects are found in the camp environment. In fact, mosquitos are very rare and the same is true of other biting insects.

Caves

Limestone rock is very prevalent in the area and accounts for the numerous caves nearby. While no caves at Psalm 23 Camp have entry ways large enough to explore, there are numerous "sinks" where cave roofs have collapsed.