OVERMOUNTAIN VICTORY NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL
Certified Historic Sites in North carolina
From Tennessee Line to Morganton
OVERMOUNTAIN VICTORY NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL
Certified Historic Sites in North carolina
From Tennessee Line to Morganton
The enabling legislation for the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail provides for certifying sites along the trail route that have historical significance to the march of the Patriot army to Kings Mountain. The management plan drawn up by the National Park Service at the trail's inception identified 16 potential sites worthy of certification.
An important point is that certification does not provide for unlimited public access. Sites on private property remain private property. Public access is provided only on the day of the OVTA march reenactment. Access at other times is at the owner's discretion. Visitors should contact the owner in advance to arrange access.
Public sites are open during regular operating hours and for the normal fees charged, if any.
Gillespie Gap to Heffner Gap Trail - This hiking trail from the Museum of North Carolina Minerals adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway is certified. While not part of the original route, this trail connects the two gaps through which the Overmountain men crossed the Blue Ridge. Sevier and Shelby's men crossed from Grassy Creek (Spruce Pine) through Heffner Gap to North Cove on September 29, 1780. William Campbell's men crossed from Grassy Creek through Gillespie Gap into Turkey Cove the same day. The two contingents reunited on September 30th along the Catawba River below the mouth of the Linville River on the way into Quaker Meadows (Morganton). This trail is maintained by the Blue Ridge Parkway and is open to the public.
Old Yellow Mountain Road Segment at Sunny Brook Store - This site will be certified September 28, 1998, the normal date of OVTA march reenactment visit. This site is private property and access is at the owner's discretion.
Davenport Springs - This site is not certified. This site is private property and access is at the owner's discretion.
Robert Sevier's Grave - This site is certified. This site is private property and access is at the owner's discretion.
Catawba River Greenway - The river corridor the Patriot army traveled in the Quaker Meadows is now preserved and is open to the public. Operated by the city of Morganton, certification will take place September 30, 1998.
Home of Charles and Joseph McDowell - This site is certified. Historic Burke Foundation owns this site and makes it available to the public on a limited number of occasions. Contact the foundation for information on visiting. This site, the Quaker Meadows Plantation House, is located on Salem Church Road in Morganton. The 1780 home does not exist. The current house was built by the son of Charles McDowell in the early 1800's. The foundation is restoring the later house and also is planning a visitor center on the same site to serve the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. Progress of the visitor center is dependent upon funding.