As one of the 13 original colonies, South Carolina took a lead in the Revolutionary War. More than 200 battles and countless skirmishes were fought here, shaping the outcome of America’s fight for independence.
From battlefields where outnumbered militias claimed stunning victories, to plantations that sheltered civilians, to the boyhood home of a future president, South Carolina State Parks invites you to walk in the footsteps of history and experience the stories that defined our nation’s path to freedom.
The museum at Andrew Jackson State Park explores the life of the nation’s seventh president, Andrew Jackson, who grew up in the Waxhaws region during the Revolutionary War. Living history demonstrations and educational programs bring his childhood — and the struggles of backcountry settlers — to life.
Living history programs, including the Life of the Waxhaws Lantern Tour and the Andrew Jackson Birthday Celebration, are scheduled throughout the year. Please check our program listings for upcoming events.
Hampton Plantation is home to an 18th-century plantation that was one of the many Revolutionary War sites that served as a place of refuge for women and children during the war. The surrounding rice fields once concealed Patriot leader Francis Marion from British troops who came in search of him. Today, guided tours share the plantation’s Revolutionary War role alongside its broader history.
Long before Landsford Canal became known for its rare spider lilies, it was a strategic point on the Catawba River. Both Patriot and British troops crossed here en route to battle, sometimes facing off along the banks. Today, visitors can hike, paddle, and reflect on the soldiers who passed through.
The Battle of Musgrove Mill took place on August 19, 1780. A small force of around 200 South Carolina, Georgia, and Overmountain Man Patriot militia fought and defeated a larger force of 200 Loyalist South Carolina militia and 300 Provincial soldiers from South Carolina, New York, and New Jersey in a short but pivotal battle. This surprising Patriot victory was a major turning point during the Revolutionary War. This victory boosted the failing morale of the South Carolina Patriots and dispelled the British high command’s belief that they had crushed all Patriot resistance following the major Patriot defeats at Camden on August 16, 1780 and Fishing Creek on August 18, 1780.
Today, the battle and the history of the Revolutionary War in the South Carolina Backcountry are detailed through interpretative signage in the site’s Visitor Center and along the 1-mile British Camp Trail and a 1.5-mile Battlefield Trail.
Join us for an upcoming program, including the annual Revolutionary War Encampment held every year on the last full weekend of April, or request a private Ranger-Guided Hike or Ranger Battlefield Talk for your group by emailing the park at least two weeks in advance. Find more information here.
The site of the November 20, 1780 Battle of Blackstocks is managed by the Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site. This largely undeveloped battlefield offers visitors a chance to hike a 1.5-mile section of the Palmetto Trail or walk the half-mile gravel road around Monument Hill. Please stay on designated paths to protect the historic site. This fierce Patriot victory against British forces marked a turning point in the Southern Campaign and was General Thomas Sumter’s first major success.
Burial Sites & Cemeteries with Revolutionary War history include: