Old Fort

by Kim Clark

Overview

Old Fort is situated near the headwaters of the mighty Catawba River, and in many ways it has also stood at the headwaters of American history—it takes its name from a fort that was the westernmost outpost of white settlement in America at the time of the American Revolution. After the Civil War, Old Fort was the base of operations for the extension of the railroad up the steep mountain grade to Ridgecrest, an accomplishment that is still considered a marvel of engineering and perseverance. A tract of wilderness in the Curtis Creek area was the first parcel of the Pisgah National Forest. The dedication of Old Fort's arrowhead monument in 1930 marked the first time that representatives of the Cherokee and Catawba tribes shared a peace pipe. More recently, one of the earliest acts of courage in the civil rights movement took place on the steps of Old Fort School. Old Fort showcases the rich heritage of this McDowell County town.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467123334
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	04/13/2015
Series:	Images of America Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Kim Clark is a researcher, public radio host, and the author of Images of America: Marion. She assembled this collection on behalf of Old Fort Historic Site, Inc. More than 200 historical images bring to life the many fascinating aspects of Old Fort's heritage.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 6

Introduction 7

1 On the Edge of the Frontier 9

2 Laying Track 17

3 Putting Down Roots 31

4 Moving Forward 63

5 Times of Change 97

6 Preserving a Rich Heritage 119