American Revolution Trail Proposal For Carolinas Highlights Triad Sites

A trail that plans to recognize the Carolinas' pivotal role in the American Revolution would run through the heart of the Triad. 

A bill in the U.S. House would create a trail to preserve historic sites from the Revolutionary War. It would run through the Triad area from the Alamance Battleground to the Old Wilkes Jail. The Guilford Courthouse National Military Park and Old Salem would also be included. 

From there, the trail heads into the mountains and hooks down to South Carolina for sites like Kings Mountain and Charleston Harbor.

In a study for the plan, the National Park Service points out that the British came to the Carolinas with hopes of breaking a stalemate against American Rebels. The strategy was to liberate the Loyalists, re-establish royal authority, and advance north.

That didn't go as planned. During the campaign, the British suffered severe troop losses. General Charles Cornwallis surrendered seven months after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

South Carolina leaders have pushed for the corridor plan for years, but now have key bipartisan support from House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn.