Few locations in South Carolina have figured as prominently in the early
history of the state as the old town of Ninety Six. As a witness to two
Revolutionary War battles, two Cherokee War battles, a trading post,
three forts and two towns, the site is perhaps one of the richest
archaeological sites in the South. In recognition of its rich history
the Ninety Six National Historic Site became part of the National Park
Service in 1976.
The unusual name that was given to the site is believed to have taken
root in the early 1700s. English traders estimated the distance to the
Cherokee village of Keowee in the upper South Carolina foothills to be
ninety-six miles. By the 1770s, Fort Ninety Six and the adjoining
village--located at the crossroads of twelve roads--reached its peak as
an important backcountry outpost, boasting a growing population, a newly
constructed courthouse and jail. However, the onset of the American
Revolutionary War would end this progress and the first land battle
south of New England was fought at Ninety Six in 1775. The fort and town
would change hands many times between those fighting for independence
and those still loyal to England, leaving the town in shambles by the
close of the war.
Old Ninety Six: A History and Guide, by Robert Dunkerly and Eric
Williams, is a well-researched and highly accessible work, which
underscores the important contribution of Ninety Six to the early
history of South Carolina and guides the reader through the
well-preserved fort that stills stands at the site today.
