9. The Ponds

Water is essential to a garden. The pond at the entrance to Afton is of unknown origin. Situated by the gatekeeper’s house, the pond is the first thing to catch the eye as one arrives at the gate. It is centered by a three-tiered nineteenth-century cast-iron fountain placed there by Dr. Lewis. Ringed with azaleas and in springtime draped by swags of the native Cherokee Rose, the pond promises the visitor lovely things to come beyond the gate.

After purchasing Afton, the Trimbles decided a pond adjacent to Daffodil Valley would be the first major project to undertake.  Unfortunately, the initial dam and lake building proved to be too small in scale for the landscape. The levee was to have a curved bow in it, and it should have been set much farther back. The restructuring or the pond began under Mr. Emile Marchive.  The vertical pitch of the levee on the ravine side was changed so that it would not be too steep.  The overall square shape of the pond was softened by creating a little peninsula jutting out into the water. 

Gen describes her dedication, “I love seeing people come in here, and my husband, when he was living, he would love to stroll out here, he would see children playing by the pond and having a picnic, and it gives me a great sense of satisfaction and joy to see people come here and visit.”

Once the reconstruction of the pond was completed, a bench was placed at the center of the levee so one could sit and view in both directions the pond on one side and – “The Valley” on the other side below.

As you exit the pond, locate the water tower and proceed towards it in a straight line, where on the left you will arrive at the cemetery.