| Joseph McDowell House | |
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| McDowellHse.jpg | |
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Location within North Carolina
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Plantation |
| Location | 136 U.S. Route 70, Marion, North Carolina |
| Coordinates | |
| Completed | 1787 |
The Joseph McDowell House is a historic house and museum located in Marion, North Carolina. It was the home of Col. Joseph McDowell, the founder and namesake of McDowell County. It is currently undergoing extensive renovations, and is closed to the public.
The McDowell House was built in 1787, and is one of the oldest surviving frame houses in western North Carolina. Along with the nearby Carson House, it is an important piece of McDowell County history, and is currently in the process of major restoration.
Built by Colonel Joseph McDowell, an American Revolutionary War hero who fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain, it is the last standing home place in North Carolina for which a county was named. In addition to fighting at the Battle of Kings Mountain, Colonel McDowell served in the 3rd U.S. Congress of 1793-95. He was a son of "Hunting" John McDowell, who received a Royal Land Grant from Governor Tryon on December 22, 1767 for 640 acres (2.6 km2) on the Catawba River, a portion of which is the site of this home.
The McDowell House was identified in the 1982 Comprehensive Management Plan for the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail as one of only 34 non-federal historical resources which are directly or indirectly related to the Trail. In February 2008, the home and grounds were purchased and steps are being taken to create a restoration and use plan. Local government, residents and historians are meeting regularly to accomplish these goals.[1] The project will also be included in the county-wide greenway project, Phase II, following the Catawba River between Lake James and Old Fort. This historic home will serve to interpret the McDowell family history, the history of McDowell County and provide access to the Catawba River Greenway and canoe launch.[2] In September 2008, the McDowell House was officially added to the Overmountain Victory Historic Trail.