Topics Related to McDowell County

Weekend Itinerary: Escape in Old Fort

Old Fort is all about escape, whether it’s deep into the woods on a trail or into the past in a museum.  A weekend in Old Fort offers a diverse mix of history, hiking, and hucking.


Day 1

Morning

Daniel Kanipe 1853-1926 (N-50)

Survived Battle of Little Bighorn, 1876. A soldier in 7th U.S. cavalry, he witnessed defeat of Geo. A. Custer. Lived here.

Cane Creek (N-41)

Prelude to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Site of a skirmish on Sept. 12, 1780, between Loyalists and "Overmountain Men."

Andrew Geyser (N-37)

Built ca. 1885 to mark railroad gateway to the Blue Ridge Mts. Restored in 1911 & 1975. Named for A. B. Andrews of Raleigh. Located 2.1 miles north.

Carson House (N-35)

Served 1843-1845 as the seat of McDowell County government. Home of Col. John Carson and his sons, Jonathan L., Samuel P., William, & Joseph McD. Now a historical museum.

Frontier Fort (N-31)

Early outpost against Indians. Used by Gen. Rutherford in expedition against Cherokee, Sept., 1776. Stood nearby and gave name to this town.

Cathey's Fort (N-26)

A rendezvous for the North Carolina militia led by General Griffith Rutherford against the Cherokee in 1776, was one mile east.

Pleasant Gardens (N-4)

Home of Joseph McDowell (1758-1795), soldier and physician. Officer at the Battle of Kings Mountain.