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Kings Mountain National Military Park
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Kings Mountain Monument
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| Location: | York / Cherokee counties, South Carolina |
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| Nearest city: | Blacksburg, South Carolina |
| Built: | 1780 |
| Architect: | Mckim, Mead & White; Howser, Henry (NPS) |
| Architectural style: | Modern Movement, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Federal |
| Governing body: | National Park Service |
| NRHP Reference#: |
66000079 [1] |
| Added to NRHP: | October 15, 1966 |
| Kings Mountain National Military Park | |
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| Area | 3,945 acres (15.96 km²) |
| Established | March 3, 1931 |
| Visitors | 268,394 (in 2005) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
Kings Mountain National Military Park is a National Military Park near Blacksburg, South Carolina, along the North Carolina/South Carolina border. The park commemorates the Battle of Kings Mountain, a pivotal and significant victory by American Patriots over American Loyalists during the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War.
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The Battle of Kings Mountain was fought on October 7, 1780, and destroyed the left wing of Lord Cornwallis' army, effectively ending Loyalist ascendance in the Carolinas. The victory halted the British advance into North Carolina, forced Lord Cornwallis to retreat from Charlotte into South Carolina, and gave General Nathanael Greene the opportunity to reorganize the American Army. The age of the soldiers engaged in the battle here ranged up to 50 years old, with Billy Rowland being the youngest known to have lost his life at 15 years of age .
Kings Mountain National Military Park was established on March 3, 1931 by an act of Congress: "in order to commemorate the Battle of Kings Mountain." The park is the terminus of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail commemorating the route of the Patriot army from over the Appalachian Mountains to the battle.
The park adjoins Kings Mountain State Park, which offers camping, picnicking and a "living history" farm. It is approximately 30 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina and approximately 60 miles North of Greenville, South Carolina. Kings Mountain can be seen from I-85 North for many miles.
A one and a half mile paved trail leads from the visitors' center around the base of the mountain along the Patriot lines and ascends to the crest where the Loyalists were positioned. The trail passes several monuments, large and small, the earliest dating from 1815, as well as Patrick Ferguson's grave, giving a good sense of the battleground. The trail is moderately steep in places. As part of the NPS' Centennial Initiative, the trail will be rehabilitated to eliminate the steeper sections of the trail, making it accessible to everyone.[2]
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