Kings Mountain National Military Park
Kings Mountain National Military Park, in Blacksburg, South Carolina, commemorates a major American victory over the British during the Revolutionary War. The British military campaign in the northern colonies had reached a stalemate, so they turned their military efforts to the south. The British managed to capture the port city of Charleston, South Carolina, and began to move north into Carolina. Patriotic Americans from the frontier crossed the mountains in search of the British, who were led by Major Patrick Ferguson. He had recruited a group of approximately 1,000 loyal Americans to fight against the Patriot militia. Patriot forces pursued Ferguson’s forces to the top of the ridge at Kings Mountain. On October 7, 1780, the Patriots attacked both sides of the ridge, trapping the Loyalists. The battle lasted an hour and the Patriot forces lost only 28 men. Loyalist forces lost 225 men, including Major Ferguson, and captured 716. The battle was America’s first major victory after the British invasion of Charleston. Thomas Jefferson called the battle “the turning point of success”.
The Park Visitor Center shows a 26-minute film “The Battle of Kings Mountain,” which provides an overview of the battle. The park’s museum contains artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the battle and the people involved. Visitors will be able to see an original Ferguson rifle, one of the few in the museum’s collections. The British commander at Kings Mountain is best known for the rifle he produced. The breech-loading rifle was rear-loaded and did not require a ramrod. It could be loaded lying down or crouching, which was not possible with traditional muzzle-loading rifles. Only around 100 of the rifles were produced.
Kids can pick up a junior ranger kit at the visitor center. By completing the activity book, they can earn a patch, badge, and certificate. The Visitor Center also has a bookstore.
There are several hiking trails in the park. The 1.5-mile Battlefield Trail allows visitors to see both perspectives of the battlefield. Exhibits highlight battle events, and the trail passes the Centennial Monument, the US Monument, and Ferguson’s grave. Although the trail is paved, it is steep in places. There are three backcountry trails that run through the park and into adjoining Kings Mountain State Park. Backcountry hikers must register at the Visitor Center. There are also 16 miles of horse trails.
Kings Mountain is located off Highway 216 near Blacksburg. The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours on weekends during the summer. Admission is free. Picnic areas are available, but there are no concessions in the park.
