Cowpens National Battlefield, Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, and Cherokee County, South Carolina are working together to build a new parking area to be located at the East end of the NPS property at Cowpens. The new parking area will serve as the trail head for the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. The ground breaking of the new area was on January 14, 2005.
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This new parking area will increase the number of parking spaces available to visitors after hours and eliminate safety hazards. Plans include an interpretive exhibit that will highlight the importance of Cowpens National Battlefield and of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail as well as informing the public about current and future events of the two entities. This exhibit is designed to complement new wayside exhibits that Cowpens will be replacing along the loop road and the interpretive trail. To assist park visitors in getting from the new parking area into the park, a new access (walking) trail will be constructed. These additions will add to the total accessibility of park services for our visitors.
With increased use of the park for fitness and recreation, the small parking area at the entrance to Cowpens did not adequately meet the needs of today's park visitor and was not designed to Federal Highway standards. There have been several close calls with children and bicycles, vehicles backing out of parking spaces and nearly being hit by vehicles pulling into the parking lot. There are also problems with vehicles parking on banks near the brick wall and parking on Hwy 11, making it difficult and dangerous for visitors to see to pull out onto the highway.
Once the new parking area and connecting trail is completed, the Cowpens gate will be moved back to its original location at the brick wall and will continue to close at 5:00 pm daily. It is expected that these projects will be completed by late summer or early fall, 2005. The scene on the Cowpens gate depicts the legendary sword fight memorialized by 19th century artist William Ranney, in which LTC William Washington's life was saved by his unnamed servant by shooting the British officer who was threatening Washington's life.
We appreciate your patience as we continue to improve Cowpens National Battlefield. These modifications have been needed for quite some time, and will result in better service to our visitors.
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
Cowpens National Battlefield Renovations 2003
In the 1970s, Cowpens National Battlefield Site was expanded in preparation for the 200th anniversary of the American Revolution, becoming Cowpens National Battlefield. Many things at the battlefield have not been updated since that time.
Visitation at the site has grown from just a few thousand to over 200,000 annually. As the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens approaches (January 17, 2006,) the staff of Cowpens National Battlefield is beginning to prepare for the event with some rennovations so that we can better serve our visitors. Visit the following web pages to see the improvements the park has been able to make as a result of receiving grant money.
In order to help people understand the significance of the site, the park staff plans to continue to make improvements to the exhibits around the loop road and on the interpretive trail, as well as those inside the Visitor Center. Come visit soon and see what's new at your park!
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
http://www.nps.gov/cowp/CowpRen.htm; last Updated: 05/12/05 9:50 AM; Virginia Fowler