Joseph McDowell House
Encyclopedia
The Joseph McDowell House is a historic house
and museum
located in Marion, North Carolina
. It was the home of Col. Joseph McDowell, the founder and namesake of McDowell County
. It is currently undergoing extensive renovations, and is closed to the public.
The McDowell House was built in 1787, and is one of the oldest surviving frame houses in western North Carolina. Along with the nearby Carson House, it is an important piece of McDowell County
history, and is currently in the process of major restoration.
Built by Colonel Joseph McDowell, an American Revolutionary War
hero who fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain
, it is the last standing home place in North Carolina for which a county was named. In addition to fighting at the Battle of Kings Mountain
, Colonel McDowell served in the 3rd U.S. Congress of 1793-95. He was a son of "Hunting" John McDowell, who received a Royal Land Grant from Governor Tryon on December 22, 1767 for 640 acres (2.6 km²) on the Catawba River
, a portion of which is the site of this home.
The McDowell House was identified in the 1982 Comprehensive Management Plan for the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail as one of only 34 non-federal historical resources which are directly or indirectly related to the Trail. In February 2008, the home and grounds were purchased and steps are being taken to create a restoration and use plan. Local government, residents and historians are meeting regularly to accomplish these goals. The project will also be included in the county-wide greenway project, Phase II, following the Catawba River between Lake James and Old Fort. This historic home will serve to interpret the McDowell family history, the history of McDowell County and provide access to the Catawba River Greenway and canoe launch. In September 2008, the McDowell House was officially added to the Overmountain Victory Historic Trail.
Historic house
A historic house can be a stately home, the birthplace of a famous person, or a house with an interesting history or architecture.- Background :...
and museum
Historic house museums
A historic house museum is a house that has been transformed into a museum. Historic furnishings may be displayed in a way that reflects their original placement and usage in a home...
located in Marion, North Carolina
Marion, North Carolina
Marion is a city in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,943 at the 2008 estimated census. It is the county seat of McDowell County.-Geography:Marion is located at ....
. It was the home of Col. Joseph McDowell, the founder and namesake of McDowell County
McDowell County, North Carolina
-Cities and towns:*Marion *Old Fort-Unincorporated places:*West Marion*Little Switzerland*Nebo*Glenwood*Pleasant Gardens*North Cove-Education:The following is a list of schools located in McDowell County:*Marion Elementary School...
. It is currently undergoing extensive renovations, and is closed to the public.
The McDowell House was built in 1787, and is one of the oldest surviving frame houses in western North Carolina. Along with the nearby Carson House, it is an important piece of McDowell County
McDowell County, North Carolina
-Cities and towns:*Marion *Old Fort-Unincorporated places:*West Marion*Little Switzerland*Nebo*Glenwood*Pleasant Gardens*North Cove-Education:The following is a list of schools located in McDowell County:*Marion Elementary School...
history, and is currently in the process of major restoration.
Built by Colonel Joseph McDowell, an American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
hero who fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain
Battle of Kings Mountain
The Battle of Kings Mountain was a decisive battle between the Patriot and Loyalist militias in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
, it is the last standing home place in North Carolina for which a county was named. In addition to fighting at the Battle of Kings Mountain
Battle of Kings Mountain
The Battle of Kings Mountain was a decisive battle between the Patriot and Loyalist militias in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
, Colonel McDowell served in the 3rd U.S. Congress of 1793-95. He was a son of "Hunting" John McDowell, who received a Royal Land Grant from Governor Tryon on December 22, 1767 for 640 acres (2.6 km²) on the Catawba River
Catawba River
The Catawba River is a tributary of the Wateree River in the U.S. states of North Carolina and South Carolina. The river is approximately 220 miles long...
, a portion of which is the site of this home.
The McDowell House was identified in the 1982 Comprehensive Management Plan for the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail as one of only 34 non-federal historical resources which are directly or indirectly related to the Trail. In February 2008, the home and grounds were purchased and steps are being taken to create a restoration and use plan. Local government, residents and historians are meeting regularly to accomplish these goals. The project will also be included in the county-wide greenway project, Phase II, following the Catawba River between Lake James and Old Fort. This historic home will serve to interpret the McDowell family history, the history of McDowell County and provide access to the Catawba River Greenway and canoe launch. In September 2008, the McDowell House was officially added to the Overmountain Victory Historic Trail.