Our Communities

Burke County History

Bishop August Gottlieb Spangler, who was seeking a place for a southern Moravian settlement, was the
first clergyman to visit the foothills and record his observations. In November of 1752, Spangler camped
near Table Mountain, described the wildlife and beauty of the area; then concluded: We are in a region
that has perhaps been seldom visited since the creation of the world.
The settlers who originally came to the foothills were European, and moved to the area because of the
inexpensive cost of land, ease of accessibility and minimal authority. At the time, land prices in western
North Carolina were far less expensive than other colonies, and the road to western North Carolina had
no major mountain ranges to hinder travelers. The native Cherokees and Catawbas had few villages in
the area, and only used the foothills for hunting. Few altercations occurred between natives and settlers
until in 1777, the state legislature created two new counties. One was named for John Wilkes, an
Englishman, and the other was named for Dr. Thomas Burke, an Irishman. Dr. Burke was a poet, a
physician and an attorney. Burke was one of the original members who drafted the Halifax Resolves, the
first call for independence in the colonies.
Catawba, Alexander, Caldwell, Avery, Yancey, Mitchell, Madison, Buncombe, McDowell, Haywood, Swain,
Rutherford and present day Burke counties were carved out of the original Burke County area.
Additionally, Washington County, Tennessee was also taken from Burke when Tennessee was part of
North Carolina.
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail - The March to Victory at Kings Mountain
During the summer of 1780, the southern American Colonies were under attack by the invading armies of
Lord Charles Cornwallis, and suffered growing losses on the field of battle. On May 12, 1780, Charleston,
South Carolina fell, and most of the Southern American Continental Army was captured or defeated.
Commanding the left flank of Cornwallis military advance, Major Ferguson and his troops (Tories
colonial loyalists) marched into western North Carolina, intimidating the citizens with fire, musket and
sword. An enraged army of more than 1,000 colonial Mountaineer Volunteers converged on a small
settlement on the banks of the Catawba River (Morganton).
On September 30, the Overmountain Army made camp at Quaker Meadows. The Patriot Mountaineers
held council beneath a giant oak tree, where they developed a military strategy that would be
remembered as the turning point of Americas fight for independence. This giant tree, later known as the
Council Oak, was located in the vicinity of Quaker Meadows Golf Course.
Traveling south, the Patriot force arrived in Cowpens, South Carolina. Colonial scouts reported the
location of Ferguson near Kings Mountain, and more than 900 expert marksmen were selected to give
speedy chase to the enemy.
The next day, the American force surrounded the rocky mountain summit where Fergusons men sought
refuge, and the battle was over in less than an hour. The British force lay in ruin, and Major Ferguson was
dead.

Early American Gold Rush

From 1804 to 1827, North Carolina mines were the source of all gold produced in the United States. In
1828, a New Englander named Samuel Martin, who had worked in the gold mines of Central and South
America, found gold in the mud between the logs at the residence of his friend, Bob Anderson, in Burke
County.
Burke County gold was found in Silver Creek, Muddy Creek and the headwaters of the Second Broad
River. During the height of the gold rush during the 1830s, 56 gold mines operated in North Carolina and
over 12,000 miners worked in the foothills.
Gold panning continues in the foothills today, and travelers on Highway 221 between Marion and
Rutherfordton are invited to stop and pay to pan for gold in several streams beside the highway.
HISTORIC PLACES
Search for the Conquistadors
Since 2001, an archaeological dig has been underway in northern Burke County. Led by archaeologists
from Warren-Wilson College, Southern Illinois University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill,
the UCVAP team believes it has uncovered the remarkably intact and buried remains of four huts that
housed 30 Spanish soldiers stationed at Fort San Juan from 1567-68. If confirmed, Fort San Juan will be
the oldest interior European colony in North America, founded 40 years before the English colony of
Jamestown and 20 years before Sir Walter Raleigh's Lost Colony at Roanoke, Virginia. For more
information, call 828-771-2013.
The Old Burke County Courthouse
The historic courthouse building, as in most southern towns, is strategically located in the center of the
community. Originally built in 1837, the restored facility is at the heart of downtown festivals, free concerts
and other special events. The landmark is currently the home of the Historic Burke Foundation.
Burke County Civil War Monument & Memorial
During the Civil War, North Carolina men accounted for one-fifth of the entire confederate army. In fact,
one-half of the muskets and rifles stacked at the Appomattox surrender were from North Carolina troops.
Some 40,275 soldiers from North Carolina died on the field of battle.
The statue of the Confederate soldier, located on the grounds of the Historic Morganton Courthouse,
contains the names of more than 1,100 Burke County soldiers who served under the banner of the stars
and bars
Taming the Mighty Catawba River The worlds first fully electrified river system
The municipalities of Burke County are located in the heart of the Catawba River Valley. The Catawba
River traverses some 220 miles from Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina to the coastal
town of Camden, South Carolina. The river provides drinking water to some two million people in the
Carolinas, and provides electricity to Duke Energy. Lake Jamesand Lake Rhodhiss (two of the 11
Catawba River lakes) are located in Burke County, and offer a variety of recreational activities.
The Catawba River has several put in/take out ramps, and is widely used for canoeing and fishing.
Frankie Silver Story
On July 12, 1833, Frankie Silver was hanged in Morganton for the ax murder and dismembering of the
body of her husband Charlie. She was the first white woman to be hanged in North Carolina. Her body is
buried approximately eight miles outside the corporate limits of Morganton.
Catawba River Greenway
The 4.4 mile Catawba River Greenway offers opportunities for biking, jogging, strolling, canoeing and

picnicking. Enjoy the natural beauty of the great outdoors just a moment away from the heart of downtown
Morganton.
The National Park Service formally certified the Greenway as part of the Overmountain Victory Trail. The
Park Service has placed historical markers along the Greenway walking trail to commemorate the historic
Kings Mountain march.
Catawba Meadows
An extension of the original Catawba River Greenway, Catawba Meadows is a beautifully arranged 230acre professionally planned park along the southern bank of the Catawba River. The 2,000 feet of fullyaccessible, paved walking trail was completed in the fall of 2003. Development continues on a four-field
baseball and softball sports complex, bicycle paths, fishing areas, picnic shelters and access to
community gardening areas. Future projects will further advance the recreational opportunities which
include hiking, boating, fishing, nature observance, camping, mountain biking, disc golf course and sand
volleyball courts.
Upper Catawba River Canoe Trail
The Catawba River Canoe Trail extends from Black Bear Access on Lake James to Lake Lookout Shoals
Access on Lake Lookout Shoals. The 82-mile river trail has 24 boating access points and four portages
along the route.
The Great Reservoir of James Buchanan Duke
Construction of Lake James began on August 14, 1916, and the power generating plant was in
commercial operation in 1919. Lake James was officially named for James Buchanan Duke, an American
Tobacco magnate.
Lake James is one of the most scenic places in western North Carolina, and was the site of the British fort
in the motion picture Last of the Mohicians and featured in one of the scenes in The Hunt for Red
October.
A Recreational Wonderland
Lake James annually supports more than 1.5 million recreational users. The pristine waters of the 6,510acre lake meet Pisgah National Forest (which includes protected national forest and state lands) to the
north. With multiple public access sites (including Lake James State Park),boaters, hikers, swimmers and
picnickers find much to do. The existing state park has two boat ramp areas, canoe rentals, lake fishing
and swimming. Twenty backpack campsites are conveniently located within 150 to 300 yards from
parking and showers. The park also includes a picnic shelter, three miles of hiking trails, a beach area,
and hosts a variety of interpretive programs.
Lake James State Park Expansion
The existing 600-acre Lake James State Park will also include an additional 3,000 acres and command a
total of 36 miles of shoreline. Trails, camp sites, and swimming beaches will soon be developed for the
recreational pleasure of tourists and local residents. Future plans call for an area located within the state
park to include a privately operated lodge site complete with cabin rentals, canoe launches and water
access.
Lake James Loop Trail
A Master Trail System is on the drawing boards for the Lake James area. The trail will tie in with the
Mountain to Sea Trail, Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail and the Upper Catawba River Canoe
Trail. The proposed trail system will also include the existing Lake James State Park trail system. The trail
will act as a connector to a variety of sites that will be located on the lake. Public access sites will include
a lake headquarters, a lodge site, rental cabins, camping areas, shopping, dining and an amphitheater.
Pocket Parks will all serve as trail destinations, overlooks and a site for an interpretive center for the

Overmountain Victory Trail. Officials stated that the proposed trail systems would provide opportunities for
walking, hiking, camping and biking for local citizens and visitors to the area.
2006 Burke County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. All rights reserved.