Old Fort is a small town located in McDowell County, North Carolina. Its population was 908 at the 2010 Census. If you’re planning a trip to this town, there are several things to do. You can explore the town on foot, take a scenic train ride, and enjoy evening candlelight tours.
Old Fort Niagara
Old Fort Niagara is a historic fort located at the mouth of the Niagara River. The fort was built by New France to protect their interests in North America and control the access point between the Niagara River and the east shore of Lake Ontario, the easternmost of the Great Lakes. Today, visitors can explore the historic fort’s grounds and learn about its rich history.
Old Fort Niagara hosts many special events throughout the year. You can attend celebrations commemorating the birthday of King George III and honor the fallen soldiers of the War of 1812. Because the fort was the site of several wars and many deaths, the historic fort is also said to be haunted. Managers of the fort have reported some strange happenings in the fort after dark.
If you are in the area for the holidays, you should visit Old Fort Niagara. This fort was built by the French in the 17th century, and has since changed hands several times between British, French, and American troops. It has seen action in many wars, and is the longest operating fort in North America. It is a historical landmark with underground gunpowder rooms, army barracks, and ancient cannons.
Old Fort Niagara is filled with 18th-century buildings and offers a unique look into the past. You can learn about colonial life by taking a tour of the original buildings. You can also meet reenactments, see musket firing demonstrations, and listen to the sounds of historical instruments. You can also enjoy a 16-minute orientation film, which explains the Fort’s history.
Old Fort Niagara is a historic fort located on the banks of the Niagara River. The fort was built by the French in the 17th century and restored in the 1930s. It was used to protect the strategic point where the Niagara River flows into Lake Ontario. The historic fort has engaging displays and breathtaking views from its windblown ramparts. During the warmer months, there are guided tours of the fort. Several hiking trails are also available around the fort.
Catawba Falls
In McDowell County, North Carolina, you can experience a series of waterfalls called Catawba Falls. The waterfalls are located near the town of Old Fort. You can hike to the top of the falls, which features a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.
A new trail is being built to the top of Catawba Falls, which will allow hikers to view the falls. This trail will lead you to the top of the falls, and then loop back through the forest. A trail along the Catawba River is also being planned.
Until 2006, Catawba Falls was closed to the public. In order to access the waterfall, hikers had to get permission from the landowner and undertake a difficult bushwhack to reach the waterfall. Fortunately, in 2006, the U.S. Forest Service purchased a small piece of land surrounding the falls. There is now a parking lot and restrooms that provide easy access to the waterfall.
To make the area safer for hikers, the U.S. Forest Service plans to close the trail for nine to twelve months starting May 2. This is to allow construction crews to improve the trail. During this time, visitors can walk on the other trails and enjoy the view of Catawba Falls from above.
The project is a collaborative effort between several groups and the local community. It aims to build 40 miles of new trails in the area. When completed, visitors will be able to hike up to the upper falls and then return along the new trail. As of this writing, the trail is still in the planning stages.
Evening Candlelight Tours
Old Fort Niagara is a place where you can experience the history of the area. There are several things to see and do, including a candlelight tour in the evening. This unique tour re-creates the atmosphere of Fort Monroe before electricity was available. Visitors can also listen to music and watch scenes played in historical buildings based on events of the past.
Candlelight tours begin at 6:30 p.m., and are led by living history interpreters. The guides will show you how people from the time celebrated holidays and spent their days. After the tour, visitors are invited to participate in carol-sing and try authentic 1800s treats.
Candlelight tours in the Old Fort take place on weekends from November to February. Visitors are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes early to get a good spot on the tour. The tour used to be free, but now the cost has gone up. The Fort was built as a defense for San Francisco harbor during the Civil War. The fort is one of the finest examples of masonry from this time period.
The Candlelight tours begin in early November and go through early January. You can purchase tickets directly at the Biltmore. The tickets start at $114, which includes the daytime visit. There are discounts for daytime tickets, but you must reserve the time you want to take the tour.
Mountain biking trails
The first phase of constructing mountain biking trails in Old Fort was funded by People on the Move for Old Fort, the Indiana Mountain Biking Association, the Kitsbow Foundation, and private citizens. However, the project needed more funding to proceed. Recently, the Dogwood Health Trust awarded $489,800 to the G5 Trail Collective. This funding will help build six miles of multi-use trails by 2022. It will also help fund outreach and project management.
This is a prime location for mountain biking enthusiasts, with 40 miles of trails in the area. Old Fort is home to Kitsbow Cycle Apparel, a company that relocated from Petaluma to Old Fort with plans to make cycling apparel there. The historic Old Fort area was once home to a major textile factory run by United Merchants.
For an unforgettable mountain biking experience, explore the trails surrounding Old Fort. The town is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest, and is the ideal starting point for a mountain bike adventure. Several biking trails, including the Point Lookout Trail, offer beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. The Kitsuma Peak/Young’s Ridge Trail is also a popular route for mountain bikers.
In Old Fort, you’ll find plenty of mountain biking trails within a half-hour’s drive of the city center. You can also ride the Erwin Linear Trail, which is four miles long and paved. This trail is mostly flat, and features beautiful scenery. Another option is the Glens Creek Greenway, which is one mile long and connects Weaver Park with Broadway St. In addition, there’s the Liberty Trail, which is 0.5 miles long.
Fishing
The small town of Old Fort, North Carolina is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It embraces mountain culture and traditions. The town hosts year-round festivals and boasts mountain biking and fishing trails. Old Fort is also home to several museums that offer a look into life in the mountains in earlier times.
Several nearby mountain trout streams are available for fishing. Mill Creek and Curtis Creek are popular locations. The Upper Catawba River is also accessible for anglers. Visitors can rent fishing equipment from the Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center. Old Fort is also home to the Old Fort Arrowhead Monument, a monument that honors the peaceful relationship between Native Americans and pioneers. The monument was unveiled in 1930 by Cherokee and Catawba chiefs.
Old Fort is close to several fishing streams and rivers. Fishing in these areas is great for catching Redear Sunfish, Drum, and Smallmouth Bass. You can use fly fishing gear, baitcasting setups, and trolling gear to catch these delicious freshwater species. You can also find information about fishing in the area by visiting the local fish and wildlife website. You can also ask the Old Fort tourism office for printed tourism materials.
Those looking for more challenging fishing opportunities should consider fishing in one of the area’s many mountain trout streams. Mill Creek, which flows through the downtown area, is known for its mountain trout population. The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission has stocked the stream with trout ranging in size from 10 inches to twenty inches. Because of this, anglers with a mountain trout privilege license can fish for trout in this waterway.
