Near Gaffney in Cherokee County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Thicketty Fort Project

No Public Access Allowed!

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 5, 2025

1. Thicketty Fort Project Marker

Inscription. Built as a buffer between the Indian frontier and backcountry settlements in the mid-1700's, Fort Thicketty as it came to be called, became the site of a standoff between Loyalist and Patriot forces in the American Revolution. In the early days of the war British Loyalists, under the command of Capt. Patrick Moore, took command of the fort and used it as a stockade. The Loyalists raided and harassed local families. In July 1780, six-hundred Patriot forces gathered at the Cherokee Ford, thirteen miles away, on the Broad River. Under the command of Col. Isaac Shelby, they marched to Fort Thicketty, surrounded the compound, and forced the surrender of 93 men, along with a significant amount of armaments and supplies.

The Cherokee Historical & Preservation Society, Inc., is in the process of saving this site for interpretive purposes. Questions about the project or permission to access the site should be directed to the Society.

Absolutely no trespassing allowed!
Violators will be prosecuted!
This property is under the surveillance of Cherokee County Law Enforcement.

Erected by Cherokee Historical & Preservation

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Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1780.

Location. 34° 59.078′ N, 81° 42.721′ W. Marker is near Gaffney, South Carolina, in Cherokee County. It is on State Road S-11-584 0.2 miles south of Goucher School Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 184 State Rd S-11-584, Gaffney SC 29340, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate

and in the Foothills. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep 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 original Cherokee Nation,

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

Thicketty Fort Project Marker and fort image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 5, 2025

2. Thicketty Fort Project Marker and fort

This specific marker can be seen from the adjacent road. Access to view the fort is along a paved walkway that begins from a gravel parking lot to the north.

5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Road to Kings Mountain and Cowpens (a few steps from this marker); A Colonial Fortification (a few steps from this marker); A Bloodless Victory (within shouting distance of this marker); A Loyalist Base (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Fort Thicketty (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Goucher Baptist Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Whig Hill (approx. 3.6 miles away); Nuckolls-Jefferies House (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gaffney.

Regarding Thicketty Fort Project. The fort grounds are fenced and restricted, but the structure is visible. Visitors can view the fort from a paved walkway leading from a gravel parking area.

Also see . . . Thicketty Fort. Cherokee County Museum

Located in the heart of the SC backcountry, Thicketty Fort was the site of a 1780 standoff between Patriots and Loyalists during the American Revolution. The recently rehabilitated site features the historic cabin, its surrounding grounds, and a walking trail.

(Submitted on October 5, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Gravel parking lot off State Road S-11-584. Follow the paved trail to the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 5, 2025

3. Gravel parking lot off State Road S-11-584. Follow the paved trail to the marker

Start of the trail at the parking lot. Follow it to the end to reach the fort and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 5, 2025

4. Start of the trail at the parking lot. Follow it to the end to reach the fort and marker

Thicketty Fort image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 5, 2025

5. Thicketty Fort

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 5, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.