Imagine more than 230 years ago a troop of men sparking fires and resting their heads near the Polk-Rutherford County line the night before their final effort to drive British Loyalists from Western North Carolina.
Today the significance of that encampment and the journey that followed will be honored with the certification of Alexander’s Ford as a part of the Overmountain National Victory Historic Trail. From Alexander’s Ford, the Liberty Men trekked 40 hours to Kings Mountain, where an epic battle ensued to “turn the tide” of success in the overall war effort.
This important element of Polk County history will be dedicated today at 3 p.m. All community members are invited, and we encourage the public to attend.
Several hours before the ceremony, Overmountain Victory Trail Association reenactors, dressed in period costume, will lead local students in hands-on demonstrations of life in 1780.
Members of our community have worked diligently to ensure this momentous occasion occurred. The project was developed under the direction of Ambrose Mills III, who is a direct descendant of Colonel Ambrose Mills. Col. Mills led the Tory militia from this area.
Mills led the effort to preserve the 162-acre historic property with generous grants and contributions from the Bradley Foundation. Hopes for the future involve turning the area into a nature preserve that will be low cost and low maintenance for the county to manage. Last year, county commissioners approved a budget of $1,419,500 for the project.
We applaud Mills and county leaders for recognizing the significance of this historic area and the importance of sharing it with the public so future generations understand what the area’s forefathers sacrificed, not only for this area, but also for their country.
The public ceremony will take place at the trail entrance adjacent to Gray’s Chapel Church near the Polk-Rutherford county line at 3 p.m.
— Editorial staff, Tryon Daily Bulletin