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The 16th Annual Siege at Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals May 15 & 16, 2010
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Sycamore Shoals and Fort Watauga :
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"After the British captured Charleston in May 1780, the Watauga country became a base from which the Patriots marched against the British and Loyalists in the East. British General Lord Cornwallis knew he must defeat these and other partisans and, on September 8, 1780, ordered Colonel Patrick Ferguson's regiment of Loyalists to the base of the Blue Ridge. . . "When the Wataugan leaders learned of Ferguson's threat, they ordered their militia companies mustered at Sycamore Shoals. On September 25, 1780, 1,100 militiamen from western North Carolina and Virginia gathered at the Shoals. The next day, leaving some 200 behind to guard against the Cherokee, the rest - swearing to "wield the Sword of the Lord and of Gideon" - marched up Gap Creek, through Yellow Mountain Gap, and over the Blue Ridge to confront Ferguson. Joined en route by other militia units from both the Carolinas and Georgia, the growing Patriot army chased Ferguson, who had failed to attract many Loyalists to his banner, to Kings Mountain. There 900 of the ablest frontiersmen surrounded and decisively defeated Ferguson's army of 1,100 men in 65 minutes. Ferguson was killed in the battle" ~ Marker at Stop 4 at the Sycamore Shoals Historic Area |
The park also has a beautiful and well-marked trail through the trees and along the Watauga River shoals. The trails are filled with squirrels and the river has many ducks, geese and heron. The trail also serves as a "Fit Trail" with stations along the way to do exercises on equipment provided. Walkers and runners move easily along the well-maintained trails. |
Sycamore Shoals is a short drive from Watauga Lake and a great addition to a Watauga Lake vacation. Children will enjoy the fort and the trails and adults will learn about the important events that occurred here which affected not only the State of Tennessee but the entire nation. Bring your walking shoes and cameras and plenty of time to enjoy this park. And take time to remember that Daniel Boone was on his way to the Cumberland Gap making the Wilderness Road "before the ink was dry" on the Transylvania Purchase ("Watauga: The Dangerous Example" by Mack Morriss available at the Sycamore Shoals gift shop). |
These photos are of one of the Fit Trail stations, and the squirrels and water birds along the Shoals. The squirrels are eating corn left out for them and the ducks and geese are "fishing" in the river. Elizabethton has many restaurants to choose from after your visit to Sycamore Shoals. See the link to TourElizabethton.com to find some recommendations. |
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Recommended Links:
Recommended Reading from the Watauga Lake Magazine Bookstore:Click here to see "Images of America: Old Butler" 
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