America's Best History Spotlight

On this page we're going to Spotlight the lesser known historic sites and attractions that dot the history landscape across the USA and are worth a visit if you're in their area. And while they may be lesser known, some are very unique, and will be that rare find. You'll be, at times, on the ground floor, or maybe even know something others don't. It'll be fun. Visit them.

Siege of Ninety-Six Wayside

Ninety-Six National Historic Site, South Carolina

There were patriots in South Carolina and there were loyalists. When the British headed the American Revolution south, they thought there was more of the latter. That might not have been true. However, after a small battle at Ninety-Six in 1775, the British built an earthen star fort there to protect the loyalists and their troops in 1780. Despite that fortication and another on the hill above the town, Major General Nathaniel Greene would rally one thousand Continental Soldiers and other patriot militia troops against the star fort. Five hundred and fifty loyalists would outlast the twenty-eight day siege from May 22 to June 18, 1781, and actually force Greene's forces back through his own fortications. Image above: Wayside exhibit outside the Visitor Center of the Siege of Ninety-Six, 2022, America's Best History.



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Info, What's There Now, History Nearby

Ninety-Six Star Fort

Ninenty-Six NHS, South Carolina

The second battle at Ninety-Six may have been a Continental defeat in the end, but it showed the tenacity of the fighting patriots in the area, which would come to better outcomes a bit later in the war at the Battles of Cowpens and King's Mountain.

As far as the site, it is extremely well maintained, one thousand and twenty-two acres large, and interpreted well along the one mile trail, in the forts, Visitor Center, and elsewhere. If you can plan a visit around the time of the somewhat infrequent ranger guided battle walks, that would be great. Call ahead for their dates. Whether self-guided or with a guide, this was one of our favorite lesser known Revolutionary War sites we've visited and deserves more attention and visitation.


Minute Walk in History - Ninety-Six



Take a walk around the park with us on a self-guided tour of the approach to the star fort that Greene's troops made, and elsewhere. It will give you a good idea of what you'll visit when you go there. And you should go there whether you're an American history fan or just a casual history fan. It's that good!

Image above: The interior of the earthern star fort protected by the loyalists fighting Greene's siege, 2022, America's Best History.


Where Is It

Ninety-Six National Historical Site is located at 1103 Highway 248, S, Ninety Six, SC 29666. It is located off Highway 26, several miles depending on the exit you take, in central/west South Carolina. It is west of Columbia. Your GPS is a good idea here.


What is There Now


Ninety-Six

Ninety-six National Historic Site includes a wonderful film in its Visitor Center with exhibits and orientation. Its public bathrooms are right next door in park headquarters. There are picnic tables near the parking lot and a wonderful one mile interpretive walking trail through the forest to the site of the Continental Army and patriots battle approach to the earthen star fort, plus remnants of the town of Ninety-Six, and an additional fort stockade on the hill. Add in other historic structures, i.e. log house, on a predominantly wooded site, except the battleford, and you've got yourself a great history day.

When Open and How Much

The Visitor Center is currently open Wednesday to Saturday, grounds every day of the week dawn to dusk, and is free of charge to visit. Log house is only open on special occasions.

Fees and hours are subject to change.

Websites
Ninety-Six National Historic Site
Greenwood Regional Tourism and Visitors Bureau


History Nearby


For many people, it's a surprise that South Carolina is really a Revolutionary War state (Ninety-Six, Cowpens, and King's Mountain, and more) than its more famous start of the Civil War one, but there's both, plus lots of natural treasures like Congaree.



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