Kings Mountain National Military
Park

2625 Park Rd
Blacksburg, SC 29702
Phone
Visitor Information
(864) 936-7921
Explore the Kings Mountain
National Military Park!
Did you know Kings Mountain National Military Park
is not a Civil War park? Did you know that most battles/skirmishes of
the Revolutionary War took place in South Carolina? If not, then welcome
to Kings Mountain National Military Park, the “turning point” of the
Revolutionary War, where on October 7, 1780, an hour long battle changed
the course of the Revolutionary War.
By exploring our Visitor Center, which includes a
26 minute film, exhibit area and 1.5 mile battlefield trail, you will
learn why the battle occurred, who the Overmountain men were and how the
outcome of the battle changed the course of the Revolutionary War.
Every October 7th, the Park honors
those who fought at Kings Mountain by holding a morning wreath laying
ceremony at the US Monument and a program in the amphitheater at 3:00,
the time the battle began.
Throughout the year, the Kings Mountain
Backcountry Militia, along with other revolutionary war demonstration
groups, hold special events show casing militia service, weapons,
equipment, life skills such as leatherworking, blacksmithing and
woodworking as it would have been in the 1700’s.
So come, take a step back in time, and enjoy our
little known piece of history!
Places to Picnic
Kings Mountain National Military Park
is a National Military Park near Blacksburg, South Carolina, close to
the North 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. The battle fought on October 7, 1780, destroyed the left wing of
Lord Cornwallis' army and effectively ended 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. Many of the Americans who lost their lives
here also had fought elsewhere. The age of the soldiers ranged from 10
years old to 50 years old; the youngest known to have lost his life was
15 year old Billy Rowland.
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."
Kings Mountain National Military Park is the
terminus of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
commemorating the route of the Patriot army from the mountains to the
battle.
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.
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.
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