Kings Mountain

(Historical Battleground)

kings mountain litho detail

Portion of infrared aerial photograph showing an active mining site.  Interstate 85 visible in upper left hand corner.

kings mountain topo detail

Portion of topographic map From USGS Kings Mountain quadrangle.. 

Rationale

The Kings Mountain Study Site provides an excellent example of how landscapes and landforms can affect historical events. When the British and American armies met at Kings Mountain during the Revolutionary War, the British forces were not used to fighting in this type of landscape, while the American troops took advantage of their knowledge of the terrain to gain a quick victory. The landscape has also figured prominently in the development of the trails and monuments which were later constructed within the national park. As the population of the Piedmont region grew larger, the Kings Mountain area became part of a national transportation route between Charlotte and Atlanta. The Kings Mountain Belt is also known for its distinctive geology and economically valuable mineral deposits. Several surface mining sites illustrate both the benefits and potential environmental hazards associated with resource extraction. Many of the inactive mines have been reclaimed, although some have not, providing a comparative framework for analyzing and discussing a variety of environmental issues.

Background Information

Description of Landforms

  • Characteristic Landforms of the Piedmont
  • Geographic Features of Special Interest
  • Piedmont Rock Types
  • Geologic Belts of the Piedmont

Influence of Topography on Historical Events and Cultural Trends

  • The Catawba Nation
  • Catawba Tales
  • Catawba Pottery
  • Immigration into the Piedmont
  • Settling the Piedmont:  Act of 1743
  • Farming in Colonial Times
  • South  Carolina Regulators
  • Battlegrounds in the Piedmont
  • The Naming of Rock Hill
  • Cotton Mill Towns Become Part of Industrial Region
  • The Anderson Car
  • The Interstate 85 Corridor

Natural Resources, Land Use, and Environmental Concerns

  • Climate and Water Resources
  • Piedmont Reservoirs
  • Soils and Red Clay
  • Agriculture and Erosion
  • Reforestation and Soil Conservation
  • Establishment of National Forests
  • Unique Natural Habitats in the Piedmont
  • Underground Storage in Granite
  • Gold Mining