Near Lenoir in Caldwell County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

A Storied Trail

— Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail —

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 23, 2025

1. A Storied Trail Marker

Inscription. During the American Revolution in the autumn of 1780, thousands of patriot volunteers traversed hundreds of miles along this route. Their two week pursuit of an army of British loyalists ended at the Battle of Kings Mountain, a shocking patriot success, forming one of the pivotal steps towards independence. Explore the trail and its story along the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.

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National Historic Trails are unique cooperative efforts between the National Park Service, other federal agencies, private landowners, non-profit partners, local, county, and state governments to encourage preservation, access to and understanding of trails that are nationally historically significant. Overmountain Victory is only one of the many stories you can discover and explore.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is October 7, 1780.

Location. 36° 1.036′ N, 81° 29.672′ W. Marker is near Lenoir, North Carolina, in Caldwell County. It can be reached from Fort Defiance

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Drive 0.2 miles east of North Carolina Route 268, on the right when traveling east. Fort Defiance Drive ends at Fort Defiance. The marker is in front of the visitors center on the grounds of Fort Defiance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1792 Fort Defiance Dr, Lenoir NC 28645, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Revolutionary War Patriots (here, next to this marker); William Lenoir (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Gordon Jr. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Patterson School Foundation

A Storied Trail Marker in front of the Visitor's Center on the left. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 23, 2025

2. A Storied Trail Marker in front of the Visitor's Center on the left.

(approx. 1.4 miles away); Chapel of Rest (approx. 1.8 miles away); Collett Leventhorpe (approx. 1.8 miles away); Laura Foster (approx. 3.4 miles away); Patterson Mill (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lenoir.

Also see . . .
1. On to Victory and Independence.

Stretching 330-miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by Patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Follow the campaign by utilizing a Commemorative Motor Route which uses existing state highways marked with the distinctive trail logo, or 87 miles of walkable trails.

(Submitted on April 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

2. Fort Defiance. (Submitted on April 3, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.