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For 20 years from 1756 to 1776, the settlement “now called Old Fort” was the westernmost outpost of Colonial Civilization. The State of North Carolina then extended to the Mississippi River. When war was declared between the Colonials and the British, the Cherokee sided with the latter forcing the Colonials to fight enemies on two fronts. In 1763, the British and the Cherokee nation made a treaty agreeing that the British would settle no farther west than the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was a turbulent time in our history approaching the American Revolution. Many factions were in battle with more than one enemy. In the middle of this was a tiny fort on a plot of land purchased by an Irish settler named Samuel Davidson son of George Davison and brother of Col George F. Davidson, Jr. This tiny fort played a pivotal role in the settlement of Western North Carolina and the ultimate outcome of the American Revolution.

The Davidson’s Fort Historic Park, Inc. organization plans to create a replica of Davidson’s Fort in its original 1776 image. The fort will provide a historic view of the life style during that era. Reenactments of battles and musters will draw thousands of tourists, educators and investors to this region.

There are many ways that this project will provide growth, not only for Old Fort, but also for the state of North Carolina. Research indicates that Davidson’s Fort could be one of the most visited tourist attractions in Western North Carolina. It will directly employ two fulltime employees and up to 20 seasonal local artisans who will demonstrate colonial living.

Davidson's Fort Historic Park
PO Box 1636
Old Fort, NC 28762
828-668-4831
davidsonsfort@gmail.com