20 January 2012

ninety six

one of the best things about ninety-six are the old road traces, especially that of the cherokee path from keowee to congarees
it intersected another trading path to charleston

by the time of the revolution, island ford road was the main road to the north from ninety six




the remains of the star fort (1780-1781) are impressive ---- the fact that they were preserved by the local community for two hundred years is amazing --- the grove of deciduous trees in the distance marks the original site of the ninety six settlement ---



 
what you can't see are the remains of kosciuszko's tunnel, dug by the patriots in a failed attempt to plant explosives to blow up the fort

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've always wondered how old road beds like this one and the Old Federal Road in Georgia remain so clear of vegetation. Would this be from the ground being so tramped down?

tomitron said...

no, they will grow up if not used or, in this case, kept clear by the park service, although the route may remain apparent because of road banks and what not

Anonymous said...

I love your photos of the remnants of the Old Cherokee Path. I'm working on a family history for my immediate family and would like to use one of your photos of the Path. It is not for commercial publication. My ancestors took the Path from the Low Country to Abbeville and were some of the earliest settlers there. If you graciously consent, please tell me how you want the attribution. You can contact me at lmckee6@sc.rr.com.
Thank you so much.
Linda McKee