OVERMOUNTAIN VICTORY NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL
Certified Historic Sites in North Carolina
From Elkin to Morganton (Wilkes-Surry Segment)
OVERMOUNTAIN VICTORY NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL
Certified Historic Sites in North Carolina
From Elkin to Morganton (Wilkes-Surry Segment)
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 visit. 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.
Tory Oak - Located behind the Wilkes County courthouse in Wilkesboro, this site is certified. The actual tree used by Benjamin Cleveland to hang at least three Tories was blown down in a storm. A sapling from a tree started from the original tree's acorns is now growing on the original site. Old Wilkes, located behind the courthouse, has souvenirs made from pieces of the original oak.
Warrier Creek - Located at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, this trail segment is certified and open to the public. The trail commemorates the Wilkes-Surry armies under Benjamin Cleveland and Joseph Winston as well as the Native-American "troops" who gave the creek its name.
Fort Defiance - This site is certified. The Caldwell Heritage Association owns the site and makes it available to the public on a limited basis. Contact Fort Defiance for information on visiting. The home of William Lenoir is on the Wilkes-Surry segment of the commemorative motor route on North Carolina 268 between Wilkesboro and Lenoir. The house is named for an earlier colonial fort built nearby. The property remained in the family until deeded to the association. An interesting feature of the house is the large bald cypress brought by William Lenoir from the North Carolina coast. The tree is unique in the mountains.