Subject: Cowpens National Battlefield
Resent-Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 20:37:48 -0700 (PDT)
Resent-From: [email protected]
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 23:27:37 -0400
From: "Steven J. Coker"
To: [email protected]
Cowpens National Battlefield commemorates a decisive battle that helped turn
the tide of war in the South. On this field on January 17, 1781, Daniel
Morgan led his army of tough Continentals, militia and cavalry to a
brilliant victory over Banastre Tarleton's larger force of British regulars.
Cowpens was established as a national battlefield site March 4, 1929;
transferred from the War Department August 10, 1933; redesignated April 11,
1972. Boundary changes: July 18, 1958; April 11, 1972. Acreage: 841.56
Federal: 788.71 Nonfederal 52.85.
Source: http://www.nps.gov/cowp
VISITATION:
Lowest in December and February; highest in July, October and January.
Annual visitation in 1996 - 189,500.
LOCATION:
Chesnee, SC, Cherokee County, 17 miles northeast of Spartanburg, 10 miles
east of Gaffney.
MAILING ADDRESS:
Post Office Box 308, Chesnee, SC 29323
TELEPHONE: (864)461-2828
FAX: (864)461-7077 or (864)461-7795
OPERATING HOURS: Daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day
DIRECTIONS:
Cowpens National Battlefield is located on SC Highway 11 at the intersection
of SC Highway 11 and 110. From I-85 northbound, take exit number 78 toward
Chesnee. From southbound I85, take exit number 92 at Gaffney, From I-26
traveling east take exit number 5 onto SC Highway 11 east.
CLIMATE:
Winters are mild with the lowest temperatures generally in the 20's. Summers
are hot and humid with high temperatures in the 90's.
TRANSPORTATION:
Air: Large airline carriers operate in Greeenville/Spartanburg, SC and
Charlotte, NC. Both cities are within an hours drive of the park. Car
rentals are available at both locations.
FEES, COSTS, RATES:
No admission fee, however there is a charge for "Daybreak at the Cowpens" a
presentation shown on the hour 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.: $1.00 for adults
and .50 for children ages 6-12; organized groups: .50. Donations are
accepted at visitor center.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center: Fiber optic map program is a self start program and takes
approximately 8 minutes, "Daybreak at the Cowpens" is shown on the hour
until 4:00 p.m. daily., museum with exhibits. Book store is operated by
Eastern National.
Battlefield Trail: One and one-half mile self-guiding loop trail around and
through the battlefield. The 1856 Washington Light Infantry Monument is
located along the battlefield trail. Trail begins behind park visitor center
and brings you back to the same point. Historic Green River Road was the
centerline of battle for both patriot and British units, is part of the
walking trail today.
Auto Tour Road:: 3.8 mile road travels the perimeter of the battlefield and
includes wayside exhibits, overlooks with short trails to the historic Green
River Road, the circa 1828 Robert Scruggs log cabin and access to the picnic
area.
Picnic Area: Located 1.5 mile from the visitor center, the area provides
picnic tables, grills and restroom facilities. A covered shelter is
available to groups through a special use permit for a fee. Contact the
staff at the visitor center for information on the permit. School groups who
schedule interpretive programs at visitor center may use the shelter free of
charge.
Hiking and Horse Trails: Hiking around park trails and auto tour road,
horses are permitted on historic Green River Road and on trail leading into
the park from New Pleasant Church. Horses are not permitted on auto tour
road and interpretive trails.
Overmountain Victory Trail is also part of the story of the trail system in
the park along the trace of the historic Green River Road.
Lodging: Lodging is available in nearby Gaffney, Spartanburg, Greenville, SC
and Charlotte and Asheville, NC, all within an hours drive of the park.
Food: Nearby Chesnee, Gaffney and Spartanburg communities have an ample
variety of restaurants.
Other Concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities: A
bookstore managed by Eastern National is located in the lobby of park
visitor center. A complete listing of books is available at Cowpens Book
Store (http://www.nps.gov/cowp/eastern.htm).
Accessibility: Each of the major sites in the park is wheelchair accessible.
A wheelchair is available at the visitor center.
Special Needs: There are designated spaces for buses and camper trailers at
the visitor center parking area.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
Visitor center activities, observing birds (bird list available) and
wildlife, hiking, walking, jogging and bicycling.
For information on archeology, visit http://www.cr.nps.gov/seac/seac.htm
RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Reservations for school groups and other educational groups should be made
at least two weeks in advance prior to the visit. Picnic shelter
reservations begin each year on January 2nd. Summer weekends are busy and
shelter reservations fill up quickly. Other Special Use permits may be
issued by the park superintendent, a four week time period is required for
those, and some special event permits require a fee. Call (864)461-2828 for
more information.
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
A minimum of two hours is suggested for the visitor center, battlefield
trail and auto tour road. Length of stay for other activities will vary
according to your interest.
SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS:
Each January the weekend nearest the 17th, park celebrates the anniversary
of the battle with 18th century living history and military encampment and
drills.
Other NPS sites nearby:
Kings Mountain National Military Park - 35 miles northeast
Carl Sandburg National Historic Site - 35 miles northwest
Ninety Six National Historic Site - 90 miles southwest
Congaree Swamp National Monument - 90 miles south
Blue Ridge Parkway - 45 miles northwest
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Write Cowpens National Battlefield, Post Office Box
308, Chesnee, SC 29323 or call: (864)461-2828. View our park brochure as a
pdf file.
Last revision December 8, 1998
http://www.nps.gov/cowp/index.htm
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