The old west has gained prominence over the years for being an outstanding treasure hunting and relic area because of its legends of mines, Indian attack sites and hidden loot.

But hold on! Grab your shovel and your metal detector and head to a certain county in the state of North Carolina. It? fast becoming an amateur treasure hunter? paradise, too.

The interesting site is McDowell County where there are an abundance of locations for today? modern treasure hunter. These sites situated throughout the county offer a multitude of choice discoveries. There are remnants of old forts, Indian mounds, Indian middens and the chance to find coins, tokens and the opportunity to get a treasure map in a yearly contest which is held at the Lucky Strike Mine every summer. The deteriorated remains of schools, post offices and many early towns dating back to the 18th century. There are even gold deposits.

Vein Mountain is located in the South Mountain belt which covers an area about 300 square miles. Rich placer deposits are found along the major streams.

Huntsville Mountain has numerous quartz veins. Gold deposits can also be found on the stream banks of South Muddy Creek and the Second Broad River and their numerous tributaries. The gold deposits can also be found on the hillsides in the old stream channels or gulches.

Brackettown also has several quartz veins and gold is also panned in the streams. Hydraulic mining was also introduced in the 1850s. A scientific method of operation was also introduced at Brackettown.

Most of the old fort sites have been lost forever, but a shrewd treasure hunter who does a little research can discover the locations of Davidsons Fort, built in 1757; Wofford? Fort near the junction of Armstrongs Creek and the north fork of the Catawba River; and Cathey? Fort, which was used as a rendezvous point for the North Carolina Militia when Gen. Griffith Rutherford and his troops fought the Cherokee Indians in 1776.

Fort McDowell on the bottom lands of the Catawba River is located about 1 3/4 miles northwest of Morganton. The fort was a stockade 80 by 50 feet, which had been erected in 1756 and 1757 when the Indians had earlier threatened the settlers.

The Montford Cove Fort also known as Potts Fort is located in Montford Cove. It was erected in 1776 to protect settlers from Indian raids.

The town of Old Fort or Davidson? Fort, as it was first known, was built by colonial militia in 1757 and was an early shelter for pioneer settlers.

Between Old Fort and Bat Cave is a graveled road through a settled thickly forested mountain section. The highway parallels Broad River which flows through Hickory Nut Gorge.

An American Revolution battle called the Battle of Cowan? Ford took place on Cane Creek in the early part of September of 1780.

During the Civil War, Union Troops looted homesites in McDowell County. What could not be placed underground was hidden in the woods or a deserted cabin.

McDowell County also has Indian mounds that reveal such choice items as artifacts, arrowheads, stone tools, pottery, scalping knives and battle axes. The Indian middens usually contain copper arrow headpoints, vertebrae pipestems, teeth and bone implements. Also years ago one of the Indian mounds was below Old Fort.

The mounds revealing the artifacts were discovered in the Linville River Valley, where both the Cherokee and Catawba Indians lived.

The Cherokee Indians roamed through the fields and mountains of McDowell County. They are known for their hand carved wooden statues and clay bowls.

The Catawba Indians are well known for their pottery making.

Those searching for rare coins are most likely to discover a batch of silver along the playgrounds of schools dating back to the days of old. The first school at Nebo dates back to 1870, and the first school in McDowell County was built in that same town in 1904.

In addition, Col. John Sevier and Col. Isaac Shelby made North Cove their campground in 1780.

Other schools once in existence are Turkey Grove, Mill Creek and the Elhanan Training Institute. Checking records and maps of the area will no doubt be rewarding as these schools may offer many valuable old coins.

Post offices once in the county are also good spots to search. Post offices were located at Vein Mountain, Sugar Hill, Crooked Creek, Red Top, Buck Creek and at Thermal City.

Last but far from least are the famous mountain ranges which, with jungle like foliage, engulfed many a house.

Today, many of these old homesites are deserted, and an amateur treasure hunter who searches these areas has an opportunity to find old bottles, antiques, collectibles and coins. Research, along with permission from the owners, is the key.

Part of Lake James is also in McDowell County and the lake serves as a recreational area for residents. Amateur treasure hunters who want to seek coins, watches and a few artifacts on the beach where many bathers spend a lot of time during the summer months can use their metal detectors.

Lake James actually covers 6,510 acres and has a shore line of 152 miles.

It? no wonder that McDowell County whose land area is 442 square miles and has the long line on Lake James is rapidly becoming a contender for the title of ? Great Treasure Hunting Site in North Carolina.·

SOURCES:

The History of McDowell County, By McDowell County American Revolution, Copyright 1976.

The North Carolina Guide, University of N.C. Press, Copyright 1939.

North Carolina History of A Southern State, University of N.C. Press, Copyright 1954.

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