Fort Watauga

Fort Watauga (also known as Fort Caswell) was a strategic outpost during the American Revolution, located along key supply routes near the Watauga River and Sycamore Shoals, and was the first fort built west of the Alleghanies in 1770. It served as a staging ground for the Overmountain Men, who gathered at Sycamore Shoals in 1780 and marched to victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain, a turning point in the war. The Siege of Fort Watauga in 1776 was a defining moment. Cherokee warriors attacked the fort in retaliation for encroachments on their lands. The settlers repelled the siege, showcasing their resilience and tactical skills, and turning momentum in favor of the Patriots.

The monument reads: To the memory of the patriots who on their way to King's Mountain under Sevier, Shelby and Campbell assembled here September 25, 1780.

Fort Watauga Monument