The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail

The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVHT) is part of the U.S. National Trails System. It recognizes the Revolutionary War Overmountain Men, Patriots from what is now East Tennessee who crossed the Great Smoky Mountains and then fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina.

The OVHT follows the route from Abingdon, Virginia at the Abingdon Muster Grounds, fording the Watauga River at Sycamore Shoals through present day Elizabethton, Tennessee, crossing the Doe River twice near both Hampton, Tennessee and Roan Mountain, Tennessee, and ascending over the steep Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, on through South Carolina to the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain now within Kings Mountain National Military Park.

Fifty-seven miles (92 km) of OVHT are officially developed for public use, and development continues on the remaining sections. The official sections of the trail were established through agreements with current landowners and often have overlapping designations. All officially certified segments are identified through the use of signs displaying the trail logo (an Overmountain man in profile on a brown and white triangle) or a white triangular blaze.

A parallel Commemorative Motor Route travels along state highways and, in some stretches, actually travels over the old historic roadway.

The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail is a cooperative effort of the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Overmountain Victory Trail Association, local governments, local citizens’ associations, local historical societies and the states of Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

In 2017, the National Park Service placed a special marker at Sycamore Shoals marking it as a significant site along the National Historic Trail honoring the muster, march, and victory of the Overmountain Men during the American Revolution.

Civil War Trails

A great way to tour the area is to follow the Tennessee Civil War Trails, a historic marker program that identifies both great campaigns and lesser-known Civil War places. TheTrail includes interpretive markers and an online statewide driving tour, and links Tennessee’s sites to Trails programs in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. Sites in and near Carter County include: Roan Mountain State Park, where Samuel P. Carter, a Union general, raised troops in the area and participated in burning railroadbridges in the area. Elizabethton, near the home of Admiral and General Samuel P Carter, the only officer to wear two stars in both the U.S. Army and Navy. Carter remained with the Union when war broke out and served in east Tennessee. He later commanded the XXIII Corps during the 1863 Knox ville Campaign. Here turned to naval service after the war. Blountville Three Tennessee Civil War Trails signs describe the action here at the Battle of Blountville Sept. 22, 1863, during a battle for control of the vital Virginia and Tennessee Railroad.

Trail signs are located at the Union and Confederate positions and at the Sullivan County Courthouse, the interior of which was burned during this action.Other related Blountville sites are at the Old Deery Inn site at 3400 Block of Highway 126, and Cannonball House at 3382 Highway 126, in Blountville. Women and children sought shelter at the Old Deery Inn when the fighting broke out. One early his torian wrote that they were in more danger than the soldiers. The Cannonball House house stood between the lines as fighting swirled around it during the battle.

While many buildings in the area were destroyed, this one survived, still bearing the scars of the battle. In Johnson City, the Tipton-Haynes Historic Site was the home of Landon Carter Haynes, a Confederate senator and supporter of states’ rights in an area laced with strong pro-Union sentiment. He served in the Confederate congress 1862-1865. Af ter the war he was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson but moved away, fearing reprisals from local citizens.

Picture yourself strolling slowly through the streets of downtown. A cool breeze floats in, slowly rocking the hanging store signs and whirling down the shady walkways. Rays of sun glisten on the one-way streets and dancing spectrums of light play on store windows. You dip in and out of stores brimming with treasures and boutiques with unique items only found in the mountains of Tennessee. Rumbles of hunger sound from your empty stomach. You take a seat in a homey diner and are served southern fried chicken and side fixin’s like grandma used to make. After lunch, visit the historic Bonnie Kate Theater. Your day in downtown continues with a walk along the trickling Doe River. Kids shed their shoes and wade happily in the cool, shallow waters.

Explore Downtown Elizabethton and experience the sights and sounds of life in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Not many places have a downtown like the one found in Carter County. This pedestrianfriendly district has minimal traffic, which makes crossing the street a breeze. For a front row parking spot, pull into one of the many parallel spaces. For those of you that are parallel-parking challenged, public parking areas are conveniently located on adjacent roadways. The old-style architecture of downtown is magnificent. Take notice of the towering brick buildings, antique store signs and old Victorian homes gracing the area.

The Cruise-In car show, held every Saturday at 5 p.m. from May through October, is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike along the streets of downtown. Be sure to check our website for other upcoming events and celebrations held in downtown, such as the Covered Bridge Celebration, 4th of July Celebration, Octoberfest, Trick or Treating, Christmas Parade and more.