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McDowell vies for Overmountain HQ

Hoping for a Victory

photo Mike Conley

Local historian Albert Dale stands in front of the MACA building dressed as Col. Joseph McDowell. He’s holding a sign to help drum up support for the McDowell House as the location for a new headquarters and visitor’s center for the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. The historic house was the home of Joseph McDowell, one of the leaders of the Overmountain Men and the county’s namesake.

By Mike Conley | The McDowell News

Published: November 17, 2009

Folks crowded into the MACA center Tuesday evening so they could give the National Park Service a clear and strong message: McDowell County wants the new headquarters and visitor's center for the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.
By 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, an estimated crowd of more than 200 people had shown up at MACA for the open house about a new headquarters for the historic trail. The event was scheduled to last until 8 p.m.
"The enthusiasm of this crowd has to be contagious," said Marion's Mayor-elect Steve Little.
The Park Service is considering the home of Col. Joseph McDowell as one of several potential sites for the future headquarters of their Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. The trail runs from Abingdon, Va. down to the battlefield at Kings Mountain. In 1780, the Overmountain Men left their homes in the Southern Appalachians and marched along this trail to defeat the forces of British Maj. Patrick Ferguson at the Battle of Kings Mountain. McDowell was one of the men who led them to this historic victory, which Thomas Jefferson later called the turning point in the American Revolution.
The McDowell House could become the new headquarters and visitor's center for the national historic trail. It could also have a museum and displays about the Overmountain Men, 18th century life in the mountains and McDowell himself. The Park Service is also looking at other possible sites in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.
The new headquarters could also have an increased staff that would maintain and manage the historic trail.
Tuesday's open house was the second of four held by the Park Service's committee. Paul Carson, superintendent of the trail, welcomed the crowd.
"We are excited to have so much participation," he said. "This is exactly what we wanted. We wanted the public's participation because we want to make the best choice."
He added the first such open house, held in Elizabethton, Tenn., attracted 105 people.
Tuesday's meeting did not have a formal presentation. Instead, local leaders and residents read displays of information about the Park Service's plan for a new headquarters. Folks then spoke to Carson and other Park Service representatives individually. They also presented written comments.
Commissioner Michael Lavender gave Carson the signed resolution passed last week by the McDowell County Commissioners in support of having the new headquarters here. The county purchased the McDowell House in February 2008 to save it from possible demolition. It is believed to be the only surviving home of a county namesake in North Carolina.
"As (Carson) said, our participation both by our presence and our written comments will be a big part of the evaluation," said Lavender.
Carson said the section of the trail that is open to the public is growing and more historic sites are being added. The McDowell House was recently added to the historic trail and this can increase tourism in the county.
"We are working with the county and the city to have the McDowell House restored," he said.
The first open house was held earlier this month at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton, Tenn. Another open house will be held today at the Old Burke County Courthouse in Morganton. The last will be held Thursday at Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C. The National Park Service will have to conduct more studies and consider all of the information before making a decision. Carson said a decision on the new headquarters should be announced in the spring of 2011.
"It's going to be a process," he said. "We hope to only have to do this once."
The public has until Dec. 18 to submit written comments about why McDowell County should be chosen for the new headquarters and visitor's center. They can submit comments through the Park Service's Web site or write to Paul Carson, superintendent, Overmountain Victory NHT, 2635 Park Road, Blacksburg, SC 29702. You can also e-mail Carson at paul_carson@nps.gov.