By Gilbert B. Elwyn
One of the joys of living in the Greenville area is the many enjoyable and interesting spots located just a day trip away.
“The Spirit of Ninety-Six”
South Carolina is well-suited historically to celebrate Independence Day. The Palmetto State is bursting with Revolutionary War battle sites. A visit to any one of them will help bring history to life.
The Ninety-Six National Historic Site, located on SC 248 not far from Greenwood, is the now peaceful reminder of a particularly fractious area. On November 19th, 1775, the American Revolution’s first major land battle took place at Ninety-Six. Even after both sides agreed to a truce, skirmishes continued to break out until General Nathaniel Green’s siege of the fort.
In July 1781, the loyalists departed, but destroyed all that they could as they left. Thus Ninety-Six Historic Site features mainly recreations and remnants, as well as some artifacts. There is a walking path to guide you through the area. Some of the highlights:
- The star fort – the actual remains; the town of Ninety-Six – you can see where three roads intersected, making Ninety-Six a trading hub of its day;
- The siege trenches – an example of siege operations by the book. The stockade was moved to the site in 1968, it is furnished as an 18th century inn. The house itself was discovered inside a house in Greenwood.
For more information visit
www.nps.gov/nisi
