Experience life as soldier in the American Revolution with a visit to Kings Mountain National Military Park. Located 45 minutes southwest of Charlotte near Blacksburg, S.C., a trip to Kings Mountain is a must for the history enthusiast.
On Oct. 7, 1780, Kings Mountain became the site of a battle which changed the course of the Revolutionary War. The battle resulted in a victory for the Patriot militia and forced Lord Cornwallis, a British general, out of Charlotte, a move which protected North Carolina from imminent invasion by the Loyalists.
In 1931, Congress established Kings Mountain National Military Park to commemorate the battle. Today, the park boasts a variety of activities to entice visitors of all ages.
For those visiting Kings Mountain in search of history, the park Visitor Center offers a short film highlighting the major events of the battle. Also located in the Visitor Center is a museum which features various exhibits including a rare Ferguson Rifle, a weapon used by the British army during the Revolution.
The highlight of a visit to Kings Mountain is a 1.5 mile paved walking trail featuring wayside exhibits which tell the story of the battle. A number of monuments can also be found along the trail including the grave of Patrick Ferguson, an officer in the British army, who was killed during the fight.
The park is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit www.nps.gov/kimo for more information on planning a trip.
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