THE LIBRARY OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF

NORTH CAROLINA

AT CHAPEL HILL

THE COLLECTION OF

NORTH CAROLINIANA

PRESENTED BY National Park Service

C970.33

C249m
FOR USE ONLY IN

THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION

Form No. A-368, Rev. 8/95

Moores Creek

National Battlefield

Administrative History

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Moores Creek National Battlefield

An Administrative History

June 1999

Michael A. Capps

Steven A. Davis

Cultural Resources Stewardship

Southeast Regional Office

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Atlanta, Georgia

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Foreword

We are pleased to make available this administrative history, part of our ongoing effort to provide

a comprehensive account of the development of each National Park Service unit in the Southeast

Region. The original draft of this report was researched and written in 1 994 by Michael Capps,

then a historian in the Southeast Regional Office. The draft was revised and updated in 1998 by

Steven Davis, historian with Cultural Resources Stewardship, Southeast Regional Office. Project

supervision was provided by John Barrett, chief of planning and compliance for Cultural Resources

Stewardship. Many other individuals and institutions contributed to the completion of this work.

We would particularly like to thank Moores Creek National Battlefield Superintendent Ann Childress,

former Superintendents John Stockert and Robert Davidson, Administrative Officer Hattie Squires,

National Park Service Bureau Historian Barry Mackintosh, and Professor Lary Dilsaver of the

University of South Alabama for their assistance. We hope that this administrative history will prove valuable to park managers and others in understanding the past development of Moores

Creek National Battlefield and in planning future activities.

Kirk A. Cordell

Chief, Cultural Resources Stewardship

Southeast Regional Office

June 1999

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Chapter One

The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge 3

European Settlement of North Carolina 3

The American Revolution Comes to North Carolina 3

The First British Campaign to Secure the Southern Colonies 4

The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge 5

The Aftermath and Significance of the Battle 6

The Legend of Mary Slocumb's Ride 6

Chapter Two

Preservation and Development of the Moores Creek Battleground Prior to

National Park Service Control 9

Post-Battle Period, 1776-1897 9

The Moores Creek Monumental Association, 1897-1926 9

The Establishment of Moores Creek National Military Park 12

War Department Administration, 1926-1933 13

Chapter Three

Planning and Development at Moores Creek 17

Early Park Development, 1933-1956 17

Mission 66 at Moores Creek, 1956-1969 23

Development under Master and Development Concept Plans,

1969-1998 26

Chapter Four

Interpretation and Visitor Services 37

Early Interpretive Efforts 37

The Impact of Mission 66 on Interpretation 38

New Interpretive Directions After Mission 66 39

Interpretive Planning 39

The American Revolution Bicentennial 40

Living Flistory 40

Environmental Education 40

New Interpretive Programs and Facilities 42
viii Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

Chapter Five

Resources Management and Protection at Moores Creek 45

Cultural Resources Management 45

Natural Resources Management 49

Law Enforcement 50

Conclusion 55

Appendix One

A Chronology for Moores Creek NMP/NB 57

Appendix Two

Moores Creek NMP/NB Superintendents 67

Appendix Three

Moores Creek NMP/NB Annual Visitation Statistics 69

Appendix Four

Acts and Resolutions of the North Carolina General Assembly 71

Appendix Five

Federal Legislation 73

Bibliography 77

Index 81
List of Figures

Figure 1. A map of the Moores Creek campaign, February 1776 4

Figure 2. Bill Ballard's drawing of the decisive moment during the Battle

of Moores Creek Bridge 5

Figure 3. A gathering of the MCMA in front of the Heroic Women

Monument, circa 1910 10

Figure 4. A map of the Moores Creek battlefield in 1925 11

Figure 5. The War Department Monument, 1938 14

Figure 6. The reconstructed bridge, 1938 14

Figure 7. The entrance to Moores Creek National Military Park, 1938 18

Figure 8. The temporary office, large pavilion, and covered well, 1936 19

Figure 9. The superintendent's residence during the 1945 flood 22

Figure 10. A 1972 map of Moores Creek showing the Mission 66 layout 23

Figure 11. The Mission 66 visitor center at Moores Creek 24

Figure 12. A map from the 1972 DCP showing the proposed changes

to the park's layout 27

Figure 13. A map showing boundary changes at Moores Creek between

1897 and 1997 29

Figure 14. The completed bridge reconstruction, 1992 30

Figure 15. The temporary museum at Moores Creek, circa 1950 38

Figure 16. Military living history reenactors at Moores Creek, 1998 41

Figure 17. An archeological investigation at Moores Creek during the 1970s 47

IX
x Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

Figure 18. Circa 1935 view of the Heroic Women Monument 49

Figure 19. Visitation trends at Moores Creek, 1936-1998 70

Figure Credits

Cover: Moores Creek National Battlefield park files; Figure 1: Charles E. Hatch, Jr., The Battle of

Moores Creek Bridge (Washington: National Park Service, 1969); Figure 2: Russell A. Gibbs, A

History of Moores Creek National Military Park (National Park Service, 1965); Figure 3: Gibbs, A

History of Moores Creek National Military Park; Figure 4: Steven Davis and David Hasty for the

National Park Service; Figure 5: park files; Figure 6: Gibbs, A History of Moores Creek National

Military Park; Figure 7: park files; Figure 8: park files; Figure 9: Gibbs, A History of Moores Creek

National Military Park; Figure 10: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Development Concept Plan, Moores Creek National Military Park (Washington: National Park Service, 1972);

Figure 11: Gibbs, A History of Moores Creek National Military Park; Figure 12: National Park Service, Development Concept Plan; Figure 13: Steven Davis and David Hasty for the National Park

Service; Figure 14: park files; Figure 15: park files; Figure 16: park files; Figure 17: park files; Figure 18: park files; and Figure 19: Steven Davis for the National Park Service.
INTRODUCTION

On the morning of February 27, 1 776, Patriot militia at Moores Creek Bridge defeated a Loyalist

army marching to rendezvous with a British force on the North Carolina coast. This early Patriot

victory during the American Revolution helped delay a full-scale British invasion of the southern

colonies for several years. Commemorative efforts at the site of this batde began in 1856 with the

drive to erect a monument. Forty years later, the property was preserved as a historical site by the

state through the Moores Creek Monumental Association, a private organization. The federal

government took over the site as a national park operated by the War Department in 1926; the

National Park Service began managing the batdefield in 1933. For over a century, Moores Creek

National Battlefield has evolved as a historical site preserving and interpreting the 1776 battie. Major themes in the battiefield's management history include the upgrading of facilities as visitation

increased, the gradual transition of the site from a commemorative park to a historical landscape,

and the change in emphasis from recreational to educational use. Today, the National Park Service continues to manage Moores Creek National Battlefield as a

historical site, encompassing 87.75 acres in rural Pender County, North Carolina. An average of

sixty-two thousand people visit the battlefield each year to learn about the Batde of Moores Creek

Bridge and life in colonial North Carolina. In order to preserve and interpret that history, the

National Park Service maintains a visitor center and museum, two interpretive trails, a reconstructed

bridge, traces of a historic causeway and earthworks, six monuments, and nine archeological features. Efforts are underway to restore the batdefield landscape to its 1776 appearance.

This administrative history traces the development and management of Moores Creek National

Batdefield from the time of the 1776 batde to the present, especially the years of National Park

Service administration. Chapter One provides background on the Batde of Moores Creek Bridge

and its significance. Chapter Two details the creation and management of the historical site at the

batdeground prior to the 1933 transfer of the property to the National Park Service. Chapter

Three chronicles the planning and physical development of Moores Creek National Battlefield

between 1933 and the present. Chapter Four covers visitor services, especially the park's

interpretation of the site to the public. Chapter Five looks at the park's efforts to preserve and

protect its resources and includes sections on cultural resources, natural resources, and law

enforcement. The five appendices provide a chronology for Moores Creek National Batdefield, a

list of superintendents, annual visitation statistics, a list of relevant state legislation, and copies of

relevant federal legislation. Lastiy, a bibliography and an index are included.

CHAPTER ONE

THE BATTLE OF MOORES CREEKBRIDGE

European Settlement of North Carolina

After numerous failed attempts by Europeans to colonize North Carolina in the first half of the

seventeenth century, English settlers moving south from Virginia finally established a firm foothold

during the 1650s. Setdement of the Lower Cape Fear region began with Brunswick in 1727 and

Wilmington in 1740. Originally part of one colony with South Carolina, North Carolina became a separate royal colony in 1729. By 1775, its population was estimated to be 265,000 whites and

80,000 blacks, mostly slaves. During this period, Scotch Irish, German, Scottish Highlander, Welsh,

and English settlers began moving from the coastal areas to the interior of the colony. 1

The American Revolution Comes to North Carolina

As the economic and political controversy between King George III of Great Britain and the

thirteen British colonies in North American gave way to open rebellion, North Carolina became a colony of divided loyalties. The royal assembly, which was popularly elected, opposed Royal

Governor Josiah Martin. Yet many people could not bring themselves to actually fight against the

mother country. North Carolinians were generally split among three groups—those who remained

loyal to King George and Great Britain, those who supported rebellion, and those who stayed out

of the controversy altogether. King George's supporters were known as Loyalists or Tories and

included many Scottish Highlanders. Called Patriots, Whigs, or Rebels, supporters of independence

from Great Britain were increasingly prepared to act by the mid-1 770s.2

Tensions between Martin and the royal assembly boiled over in 1774 when the governor refused

to call the assembly into session. In response, mass meetings were held and a provincial assembly was established independent of the governor. During its 1774 and 1775 sessions, this provincial

assembly elected delegates to the two Continental Congresses and generally supported the growing

sentiments of rebellion. By June 1775, Martin had dismissed the royal assembly, unsuccessfully

sought British troops, and abandoned North Carolina's colonial capital of New Bern. After a brief

stay at Fort Johnson on the Cape Fear River, he went into exile on a British naval vessel off the

coast.3
Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

The First British Campaign to Secure the Southern Colonies

Though in exile off the coast of North Carolina, Martin lobbied British authorities for support in

regaining control of the colony. His lobbying paid off. After initial battles at Lexington, Concord,

and Bunker Hill, British commanders were preparing for a major offensive in the northern colonies.

However, they believed that a quick campaign in the Carolinas prior to such an offensive could

rally Loyalists and subdue the rebellion in the southern colonies. The campaign plan called for

British troops from New York under Sir Henry Clinton to rendezvous off the North Carolina coast

with additional forces under Lord Charles Cornwallis sailing from Cork, Ireland, under the protection

of Sir Peter Parker's fleet. In the meantime, a Loyalist army from the interior of the colony would

march to meet the British forces off the coast by late February 1776. The combined force would

then regain control of North Carolina before heading to the primary target of Charleston, South

Carolina. 4

Martin's planned Loyalist militia mobilized as a force of sixteen hundred Scottish Highlanders

at the settlement of Cross Creek in the interior of North Carolina. Commanded by Brigadier General

Donald MacDonald and Lieutenant Colonel Donald McLeod, the Loyalist militia began the march

to the coast on February 18, 1776, with only five hundred muskets. The Loyalists planned to advance along the southwest side of the Cape Fear River to the coast, link up with the British

troops arriving by sea, and retake the colony. In the meantime, the Patriots had established several

militia groups, while the Continental Congress had authorized two regiments of the Continental

Line. Colonel Richard Caswell of the militia and Colonel James Moore of the First North Carolina

Continentals planned to intercept the Loyalists before they reached the coast. On February 25, a force of 1 50 Wilmington militiamen under Colonel Alexander Lillington arrived at the bridge where

Figure 1. A map of the Moores Creek campaign, February 1776
Chapter One: The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge

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Figure 2. Bill Ballard's drawing of the decisive moment during the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge

the Negro Head Point Road crossed Widow Moore's Creek, a creek named after an early settler in

the area and subsequently known as Moores Creek. Beating the Loyalists to the bridge, Lillington

established earthworks on the east side of the creek. Caswell arrived at Moores Creek Bridge on

the following day with an additional eight hundred militiamen and established earthworks on the

west side of the creek. After learning of the Patriot force at Moores Creek Bridge, the Loyalists

prepared for batde.5

The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge

The Loyalists began a six-mile march to Moores Creek Bridge at one o'clock on the morning of

February 27. Just before dawn, they discovered abandoned earthworks on the west side of the

creek—Caswell had moved his militiamen to Lillington's earthworks on the east side. In addition,

the Patriots had removed planks from the bridge and greased the stringers. McLeod decided to send Captain John Campbell's Scottish Highlanders on a broadsword charge across the remains of

the bridge. To the sounds of bagpipes, drums, and the cry "King George and broad swords," the

Highlanders reached the other side of the creek. Concealed behind Lillington's earthworks with

two cannon, known as "Old Mother Covington and her daughter," the Patriots opened fire on the

Highlanders with deadly consequences. The charge quickly fell apart as Loyalists began retreating

in panic, some drowning in Moores Creek. Around thirty Loyalists were killed and forty were wounded during the brief engagement. Far more damaging to Great Britain's southern plan was

the capture of 850 Loyalists in the days following the battle. The lopsided Patriot victory came

with only two militiamen wounded, including the mortally wounded John Grady.6
Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

The Aftermath and Significance of the Battle

Although the Loyalist militia was effectively routed at Moores Creek Bridge, the British naval and

land forces commanded by Clinton, Parker, and Cornwallis rendezvoused off the North Carolina

coast between March and May 1776. Leaving the colony to the Patriots, the British fleet attempted

to capture Charleston but withdrew to the colony of New York after being turned back by Patriot

militia on Sullivan's Island at the entrance to the city's harbor. The British failure to secure the

Carolinas in 1776 left the southern colonies under Patriot control for several years. During this

time, peace in the region was interrupted by the 1776-1777 Cherokee War, the 1778 British capture

of Savannah in Georgia, and the unsuccessful 1 779 attempt by Patriot and French forces to retake

Savannah. However, it was not until 1 780 that Great Britain would mount a full-scale campaign to subdue the southern colonies. Beginning with the successful siege of Charleston, this campaign

ultimately led to the 1781 British surrender at Yorktown, following major battles at Camden,

Kings Mountain, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, and Eutaw Springs. 7

Though the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge was a relatively minor engagement, it influenced

the course of the American Revolution in significant ways. The Patriot victories at Moores Creek

Bridge and Sullivan's Island ended British hopes of easily quelling the rebellion in the southern

colonies. In North Carolina, the battle strengthened the Patriot position by reducing organized

Loyalist opposition. Perhaps most important, this early victory provided a needed boost to Patriot

morale. The battle was to the southern colonies what Lexington had been for the northern colonies.

Emboldened by the victory at Moores Creek Bridge, North Carolina's provincial assembly approved

the Halifax Resolve, which instructed the colony's delegates to the Continental Congress to vote

for independence from Great Britain.8

The Legend of Mary Slocumb's Ride

Strongly associated with the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge is the legend of Mary Slocumb's ride. According to this story, Mary dreamed that Ezekiel, her Patriot husband, had been wounded in a

battle. After awaking, she rode a horse for sixty miles at night to arrive as the Battle of Moores

Creek Bridge was ending. Mary discovered that Ezekiel was safe and nursed wounded Patriots

before returning to her home the following night. The legend was apparently first recorded by

Elizabeth Ellet in her 1 848 Women of the American Revolution and her 1 850 Domestic History of the American Revolution. John H. Wheeler included the tale in his 1851 Historical Sketches ofNorth Carolina

from 1584 to 1851. Although Mary and Ezekiel Slocumb were actual persons, the specific events of

the legend have since been discredited. 9

Notes

1 Russell A. Gibbs, A History of Moores Creek NationalMilitary Park (National Park Service, 1 965) , 5.

2 Charles E. Hatch, Jr., The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge (Washington: National Park Service, 1 969), 1 -1 1

.
Chapter One: The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge 7

3 Ibid.

4 John Buchanan, The Road to Guilford Courthouse: The American Revolution in the Carolinas (New York: John Wiley and Sons,

Inc., 1997), 3-4; Hatch, 11-15.

3 Hatch, 1 5-37; Elizabeth F. McKoy, Early New Hanover County Records (Wilmington, North Carolina: Elizabeth F. McKoy,

1973), 50-54.

6 Hatch, 37-47; Buchanan, 4-5.

7 Buchanan, 3-383.

8 Hatch, 47-50, 60-61.

9 S. Michael Hubbell, Mary Slocumh's Ride to the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge (National Park Service, 1962), 1-28.

CHAPTERTWO

PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOORES

CREEK BATTLEGROUND PRIOR TO NATIONAL PARK

SERVICE CONTROL

Post-Battle Period, 1776-1897

Despite the significance of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, the battleground was virtually

forgotten after the Revolutionary War. In 1791, the land was granted by patent to John Jones, the

first private owner of the site. The battleground's importance remained unrecognized until the

Fayetteville Observer printed an article deploring the site's neglect in 1 856. Inspired by this article, a group of citizens from several New Hanover County communities met at Long Creek on February

9, 1856, and planned a picnic for the eightieth anniversary of the batde. On February 27, fifteen

hundred people attended the celebration at the battleground. 1 On January 10, 1857, another group met in Wilmington and appointed committees from New

Hanover, Duplin, Lenoir, Wayne, Cumberland, Bladen, Columbus, and Brunswick Counties to

solicit funds for a monument to Grady and the other Patriots who fought at the Batde of Moores

Creek Bridge. The Patriot Monument, or Grady Monument, was initiated with the laying of a cornerstone during the second anniversary celebration on February 27. Interest in these

commemorative efforts declined in subsequent years; the next celebration was not held until 1876

during the Revolutionary War centennial.2

The Moores Creek Monumental Association, 1897-1926

Although commemorative efforts at the Moores Creek battleground had begun in the 1850s, four

decades passed before the site became a public park. In 1897, the State of North Carolina acquired

two tracts of land that totaled ten acres and included the traces of Lillington's earthworks on the

east side of Moores Creek. Since the state was not prepared to administer the battieground, the

Moores Creek Monumental Association (MCMA) was chartered in March 1899 as a private

organization of Pender County residents funded in part by state appropriations. 3 Sponsored by

Gibson James, a local representative in the North Carolina General Assembly, the act to create the
10 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

Figure 3. A gathering of the MCMA in front of the Heroic Women Monument, circa 1910

MCMA authorized the organization to improve the battleground, protect the site, and "do such

other things as tend to inspire among our people state and national pride and a higher appreciation

of patriotic manhood."4 The efforts of the state and the MCMA were part of a larger atmosphere ofpatriotism throughout

the nation in the late nineteenth century. The centennial of the Revolutionary War during the

1870s and 1880s fueled this sentiment. In addition to numerous private efforts to mark this event

through celebrations and the erection of memorials, the U.S. Congress commissioned a study of

Revolutionary War battlefields and provided funds for eight battle monuments. In the South,

patriotism was heightened by the Lost Cause, the commemoration by white southerners of the

Confederate effort during the Civil War.5

Within the context of patriotic commemoration, the MCMA was inspired by the efforts of the

Guilford Battle Ground Company in the state's piedmont region. This private company was chartered

in 1887 to acquire and preserve part of the Guilford Courthouse battleground as a public park.

Rather than attempt a restoration of the battleground as a historical site, the Guilford Battle Ground

Company created a commemorative park for recreational use by the residents of nearby Greensboro.

This park eventually included numerous monuments, ornamental plantings, an artificial lake, a

restaurant, and other visitor facilities. The company's development and use of the Guilford

Courthouse battleground were virtually duplicated by the MCMA on a smaller scale in eastern North Carolina.6
Chapter Two: Preservation and Development of the Moores Creek Battleground 11

At its first meeting on July 4, 1899, the MCMA elected officers and a board of directors,

including James F. Moore as president. More importantly, the association set the tone for its development and use of the Moores Creek batdeground. The MCMA resolved to hold a celebration

at the site the following month and authorized the initial development of the park as a commemorative and recreational area. The inaugural celebration attracted five thousand people to

the battleground, and subsequent celebrations of the battle's anniversary became the primary use of the park during its management by the MCMA. The site was developed accordingly with

recreational facilities for the celebrations and picnics. After a residence was built at the battleground

in 1907, the association hired a caretaker to maintain and protect the site.

7

Funding for the MCMA's activities came primarily from annual state appropriations and

concession fees at the annual celebrations. Between 1900 and 1913, North Carolina senators and

congressmen introduced a total of seventeen bills in the U.S. Congress authorizing federal

appropriations for work at the batdeground. However, none of these efforts were successful. The

association did not raise funds for batdeground improvements or activities beyond the state appropriations and concession fees. Due to limited funds available, the association did not hold

the annual celebrations during some years.

8

Figure 4. A map of the Moores Creek battlefield in 1925. The key is as follows: earthwork remains, A; the

historic road causeway, B; the Patriot Monument, C; the Heroic Women Monument, D; the Loyalist

Monument, E; the Stage Road Monument, F; the Moore Monument, G; the large pavilion, H; the small

pavilion, I; the office, J; and the keeper's residence, K.
1

2

Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

The physical development of the Moores Creek battleground was guided by the MCMA's vision

of the site as a commemorative park for annual celebrations and other recreational uses. The ten- acre tract was expanded in 1 907 with the purchase of twenty acres. While preserving traces of the

historic road causeway and earthworks at the site, the MCMA superimposed a formal park landscape

that included straight roads, lawns, ornamental plantings, and monuments with iron fencing. The

MCMA began erecting recreational facilities in 1 899 with the construction of a large pavilion for use during the celebrations. However, the main period of development occurred between 1907

and 1908 with the construction of a second pavilion, two concession stands, two artesian wells, a

keeper's residence, a jail, a stable, and fencing around the park. The original pavilion burned in

1919, giving way to construction of a floored pavilion in 1922 along with two latrines and two

well gazebos. Besides these facilities, the MCMA's development of the site included additional

monuments such as the 1907 Heroic Women of the Lower Cape Fear Monument in memory of

Mary Slocumb, the 1909 Loyalist Monument, the 1911 Stage Road Monument, and the 1913

Moore Monument in memory of the association's first president. In 1909, two Civil War cannon

with carriages were donated by the U.S. Congress to the association for use at the battleground. 9 The MCMA, renamed the Moores Creek Battleground Association (MCBA) in 1915, managed

the battleground as a commemorative and recreational site for nearly three decades. By the 1 920s,

the association was pursuing federal designation of the battleground as a national military park.10

The Establishment of Moores Creek National Military Park

At the MCBA's August 1923 meeting, U.S. Congressman Charles L. Abernethy agreed to spearhead

the effort to designate the Moores Creek battleground as a national military park. In May 1924, he

introduced a bill authorizing its establishment, but the bill saw no activity during the session. On

the battle's anniversary in 1925, the North Carolina General Assembly passed two resolutions

concerning the battleground—one calling for the creation of a national military park and the other

authorizing the donation of the site to the federal government for that purpose. With support from

the state, Abernethy again introduced the bill as House Resolution (HR) 3796 in December 1925,

while Senator Lee Slater Overman introduced companion legislation in the Senate. Supporters of

the bill received endorsements from several sources. The Army War College issued a report detailing

the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge; the reference section of the Library of Congress prepared a

similar document. A resolution in support of a national military park at Moores Creek was passed

by the North Carolina State Conference of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and

endorsed by the National Society of the DAR at a Washington meeting in April 1926. 11 HR 3796 received a public hearing before the House Military Affairs Committee on April 20

and 21, 1926. Speakers included Abernethy and a delegation of North Carolina DAR members.

Abernethy discussed the resolutions of the North Carolina General Assembly, the Army War College

report, and the resolution of the National Society of the DAR in arguing for the creation of a national military park. DAR members testified before the committee as to the significance of the

Battle of Moores Creek Bridge. They described the battle as the South's Lexington and compared

Mary Slocumb's ride to that of Paul Revere. In addition to the battleground's historical significance,

arguments on behalf of the legislation reflected some of the prevailing concerns over the nation's

growing immigrant population. One DAR member stated "J feel that in this day, with the coming

of so much flotsam and jetsam from foreign countries, it is of the very highest importance to preserve as national monuments places of such historical importance as Moores Creek battle field." 12 On May 6, the committee reported to the House with a recommendation that the bill be approved. 13
Chapter Two: Preservation and Development of the Moores Creek Battleground 1

3

With the favorable committee report, the House passed HR 3796 on May 12, 1926. The following

day, the bill was referred to the Senate Library Committee and received a recommendation for

approval. Overman directed the bill through this committee rather than the Senate Military Affairs

Committee due to concern that the latter body would be less supportive. After passage by the

Senate on May 20, HR 3796 was signed into law by President Calvin Coolidge on June 2.

14 The

State of North Carolina deeded the thirty-acre battleground to the United States on July 8, and the

War Department officially accepted responsibility for operating Moores Creek National Military

Park (NMP) on August 23. 15 Had Congress not passed the Moores Creek legislation in 1 926, the national military park may

have never been established. The number of bills for new national military parks skyrocketed

during the 1 920s due to patriotic fervor following the nation's victory in World War I, a booming

economy, and increased automobile travel. Congress was overwhelmed by the number of proposals

and the potential costs of developing and maintaining additional parks. Nine days after Coolidge

signed the Moores Creek legislation into law, Congress passed a bill commissioning the War

Department to study the significance of the nation's battlegrounds and recommend appropriate

strategies for commemoration. Conducted from 1926 to 1932 with periodic reports to Congress,

the study classified the battlegrounds into three categories. Class I battlefields were deemed worthy

of national military park status; Class IIA battlefields required extensive interpretive marker schemes;

and Class IIB battlefields required a single tablet, marker, or monument on a tract of minimal size. Although the War Department classified Moores Creek as a Class IIB battlefield, a park at the

battleground site had already been authorized by Congress.16

Moores Creek became the ninth federal battlefield park created by Congress. The legislation

passed during a fiscally conservative time when Congress felt overwhelmed by numerous proposals

for national military parks, including ones commemorating battles arguably more significant than

Moores Creek. Congress approved the legislation for Moores Creek while rejecting other proposals

for several reasons. First, the state and the MCMA had already developed the battleground as a park. Second, the battleground was a small site that required minimal maintenance costs. Third,

the state agreed to donate the property to the federal government. Fourth, Congress passed the

legislation prior to the adoption of a systematic approach to creating national military parks. In the

end, the relatively small scale of the Moores Creek proposal seemed more reasonable to Congress

than other proposals for larger parks with greater costs.

17

War Department Administration, 1926-1933

After assuming control of Moores Creek NMP, the War Department appointed George J. Moore,

the second president of the MCBA, as superintendent. In 1 928, he received approval for a caretaker

position and hired his son, Charles P. Moore. Essentially, the staff's duties were to maintain the

orderly appearance of the grounds and assist in the coordination of occasional celebrations by the

association. These gatherings continued to be the only significant use of the park for several years

after its establishment. 18

Like the MCBA, the War Department managed Moores Creek as a commemorative park for

recreational use. No attempt was made to recreate the battle-period landscape, as staff routinely

mowed the grounds and annually burned the swamp. Areas around the monuments and along the

roads were sodded and planted with formal flowers and shrubbery. New facilities included a barn

and a stable to house the park's horse and mower.19
14

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Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

Figures 5 and 6. The War Department Monument and the reconstructed bridge, 1938

Beyond formal landscaping, the War Department's development activities at the park consisted

mainly of erecting several commemorative and interpretive structures. Perhaps the most interesting

of these additions were the graves of Mar}' and Ezeldel Slocumb at the base of the Heroic Women

Monument. In 1927, Abernefhy and the DAR's Stamp Defiance Chapter in Wilmington suggested

that the remains of the Slocumbs be relocated from Mount Olive, North Carolina, to further

commemorate Mary Slocumb's ride. After delays due to a 1928 flood, reinterment took place in

September 1929. In addition, the War Department undertook the first significant effort to interpret

the actual events of the battle—a significant change from the MCBA's commemorative focus.

Inscribed with a text prepared by the Army War College, the Battie of Moores Creek Bridge

Monument was erected in 1931. During the same year, the battle-period bridge was reconstructed

at the historic creek crossing, although the design was based solely on conjecture rather than

authenticating research.20

The final development action by the War Department at Moores Creek was the installation of

entrance gates in 1932.21 On August 10, 1933, the War Department's adniinistration of the park

ended as President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Executive Orders 6166 and 6228 transferred federal

battlefields to the National Park Service (NPS) within the Department of the Interior.22

Notes

1 Gibbs, 13-14;ClydeB. King, Moores Creek Battlefield (National Park Service, 1939), 1-2.

2 King, 2-3; "The Battle Ground," Wilmington Messenger, August 1899, Park Files, Moores Creek National Battlefield, Currie,

North Carolina.

3 King, 3; Gibbs, 42.

4 Gibbs, 42.
Chapter Two: Preservation and Development of the Moores Creek Battleground 1

5

5 Ronald F. Lee, The Origin and Evolution of the NationalMilitary Park Idea (Washington: National Park Service, 1973), 7-8; Gaines M. Foster, Ghosts of the Confederacy: Defeat, the Lost Cause, and the Emergence of the New South (New York: Oxford

University Press, 1987), 3-8.

6 Thomas E. Baker, Redeemedfrom Oblivion: An Administrative History of Guilford Courthouse NationalMilitary Park. (National Park Service, 1995), 3-9.

7 Moores Creek Monumental Association Minutes, July 4, 1 899, Park Files; Minutes, April 8, 1 899; King, 3-6; Gibbs, 1 6-23.

8 King, 3-6; Minutes, July 26, 1900; Edmund B. Rogers, compiler, History of Legislation Relating to the National Park Service Through the 82d Congress: Moores Creek (Washington: National Park Service, 1958), Part 1, 1-5.

9 Gibbs, 17-20; King, 3-6; Minutes, July 17, 1899;July 29, 1899; April 8, 1908; July 4, 1922; Rogers, Part 1, 4;J.W. Flynn, Plan

of Moores Creek Battle Field, Drawing 324-650, Map Collection, Southeast Regional Office, National Park Service, Atlanta.

10 King, 6; Minutes, August 9, 1923.

11 Minutes, August 9, 1923; Rogers, Part I, 5-6; House Military Affairs Committee, Hearings before the Committee on Military

Affairs, House of Representatives, Sixty-ninth Congress, First Session, on HR. 3796: NationalMilitary Park at Battle Field of Moores Creek,NC. (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1926), 1-10; Gibbs, 21-22.

12 House Military Affairs Committee, 1-10.

13 Rogers, Part I, 6.

14 Ibid.; Gibbs, 22.

15 U.S. Congress, House, Supplemental EstimatesforWarDepartment,!^ Congress, 1

st Session, H.R. Document 137 (1928), 2.

16 Lee, Origin and Evolution, 38-51; Ronald F. Lee, Family Tree of the National Park System: A Chart with Accompanying Text

Designed to Illustrate the Growth of the National Park System, 1872-1972 (Philadelphia: Eastern National Park and Monument

Association, 1972), 27-30; U.S. Congress, Senate, Study of Battle Fields in the United Statesfor Commemorative Purposes, 70th

Congress, 2

nd Session, Senate Document Number 1 87, (1 928), 1 -4, reprinted in Rogers.

17 Lee, Family Tree, 27-30; Lee, The Origin and Evolution, 46-50.

18 Gibbs, 25.

19 Ibid., 23.

20 King, 5; Gibbs, 22-25.

21 Historical Papers and Photographs of Moores Creek, Vol. 1, 1856-1933, Park Files. The park maintains fourteen volumes of

bound materials dating from 1856 to 1977 and arranged in chronological order.

22 Rogers, Part II, 2.

CHAPTERTHREE

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AT MOORES CREEK

Early Park Development, 1933-1956

At first, the transfer of Moores Creek NMP to the NPS brought about little change. George Moore

continued as superintendent until his retirement in 1935, while Charles Moore continued as

caretaker. Due to low attendance in 1933, the MCBA discontinued the celebrations and became

inactive for a decade. The NPS was pleased to see the celebrations end since they had no association

with the historical significance of the park and brought large crowds that damaged park resources.

1

Due to limited funding, initial NPS work at Moores Creek NMP involved minor improvements

to the grounds and drainage system. Between August 1933 and July 1935, park staff hauled silt from the low grounds adjacent to the creek and distributed it over the area enclosed by the

earthworks. The ground was harrowed and disked to prepare a seed bed; grass was then planted in

the area using lime and fertilizer to facilitate growth. Ground that had been sterile was consequently

covered with vegetation. In addition, the park installed a drain for one ditch. A gas-powered generator was installed in 1934 to run the water pump and generate electric power.

2

Following Moore's retirement, the regional office appointed Clyde B. King3 superintendent and

directed him to report to Coordinating Superintendent B. Floyd Flickinger of Colonial National

Historical Park in Virginia. Flickinger was to oversee Moores Creek NMP as part of a southern

Revolutionary War group that included Guilford Courthouse NMP, Kings Mountain NMP, and

Cowpens National Battlefield Site. In April 1936, Flickinger made his first inspection tour of

Moores Creek and recommended immediate upgrades in the park's day-to-day administration,

including paperwork and record-keeping procedures.4

Between 1936 and 1938, King initiated planning for the park's development. His vision called

for a complete reorientation of the park's layout to emphasize the historical significance of the site over its commemorative and recreational functions. To this end, the core battleground area was to be restored by removing intrusions such as the MCMA's buildings, roadways, formal plantings, and

fencing around the monuments. The historic appearance of this area was to be achieved by fully

reconstructing the earthworks, the historic road causeway, and a more accurate bridge. The landscape was to be restored to its historic appearance with curvilinear trails following natural contours. New

recreational and support facilities were to be located on the periphery of the battleground. The

17
Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

A

v'z&y lam

•

• ,

mm

«

Figure 7. The entrance to Moores Creek National Military Park, 1938

superintendent's residence across Highway 602 from the park entrance was to be replaced by a

picnic area with a parking area, an information station, restrooms, and concession stands. An area northeast of the Heroic Women Monument was to be the support area with a superintendent's

residence, a laborer's residence, a garage and storage shed, an administrative office and museum,

and utility structures. In order to accommodate the new facilities and provide fire breaks, at least

thirty acres were to be acquired for park boundary extensions. King's general development plans were accepted by Flickinger, the director of Region I, and the director of the NPS.5

Like many grand ideas, King's plan lacked funding. One source that he attempted to tap was

the work programs of the New Deal. The Civilian Conservation Corps, Work Projects

Administration, Public Works Administration (PWA), and other programs undertook numerous

projects for local, state, and federal parks during the Great Depression.6 Several times during the

1930s, NPS officials unsuccessfully sought PWA funds for the development of Moores Creek. The

main problem was the lack of technical staff at the park to prepare the plans necessary to gain

PWA assistance. Despite King's requests, his superiors were unable to provide needed technical

support. After an unsuccessful attempt for a six-year PWA project in 1938, NPS officials decided

to proceed with development plans without outside funding.7

In the continued absence of funding for major development activities between 1936 and 1938,

King undertook modest efforts to restore the battleground landscape, improve the drainage system,

and adapt the MCMA's buildings for temporary use. Mowing of certain areas was discontinued,

and certain varieties of native trees and shrubs were planted. A number of the MCMA's drainage

ditches were eliminated; others were tiled to prevent further erosion. In some cases, new ditches were dug to take advantage of the topography and natural drainage patterns. This work resulted in
Chapter Three: Planning and Development at Moores Creek 19

a more effective system with fewer ditches. Lacking funds for new construction, the park adapted

the existing MCMA buildings for new uses. One of the concession stands became a temporary

office; another building was used to house the park's two electric generators. 8

In 1938, the regional office began paying more attention to Moores Creek, resulting in the

park's first formal master plan. Archeologist Thor Borresen visited the park in February to gather

information for the master plan. He excavated cross sections of the earthworks and determined

the original height and breadth. Profile drawings of the proposed reconstructed earthworks were

completed in May.9 In March, the park was visited by four staff members from the regional office,

including Regional Historian Roy Edgar Appleman. He noted that the park "is undoubtedly one of

the areas under the jurisdiction of the Park Service which needs attention." While emphasizing the

need for formal planning, Appleman recommended development steps similar to King's plan,

including acquiring land west of the creek, building a nature trail along the creek with a footbridge,

placing interpretive markers on the battleground, and improving highway signs directing motorists

to the park. 10

With completion of a master plan in 1938, development at Moores Creek began in earnest. Intrusions within the historic core of the battleground were removed, including a concessions

stand, the large pavilion, ornamental plantings, and roads. In addition, the Battle of Moores Creek

Bridge Monument and the Stage Road Monument were relocated to less conspicuous locations.

Remaining MCMA buildings were adapted for new uses. The small pavilion was enclosed and

remodeled for use as a temporary museum, and the barn was relocated as a fuel house. The stable was remodeled for use as a picnic shelter with the surrounding grounds serving as a picnic area.

Figure 8. The temporary office, large pavilion, and covered well, 1936
20 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

New facilities in this area included outdoor ovens, seats, and tables built with lumber salvaged

from the large pavilion. This work marked the gradual transition of the batdeground from a commemorative and recreational park to a historical site with some degree of integrity. The park

sought to encourage its educational use by smaller groups, especially school children.11

Besides the above improvements, King pushed for partial restoration of the earthworks, which

had suffered damage from weathering and earlier development activities. He proposed repair of

the earthworks at points where roads had been cut through by the MCMA. The master plan had

proposed full restoration to battle-period conditions, but the park could not afford the resultant

increase in maintenance costs. King considered repair of the road cuts a feasible alternative to full reconstruction. Regional officials agreed but wanted an archeologist to be present during the work.12

Believing that he had full permission from regional officials, King began repair of the disturbed

sections of the earthworks in December 1939 without an archeologist present. Although successful

in reestablishing a complete line of earthworks, he was criticized for proceeding without an

archeologist. Regional officials maintained that the work actually constituted reconstruction rather

than repair. Interestingly, Borresen later concluded that no damage had been done to the

earthworks.13

Besides the earthworks restoration project, King drew criticism for his decision to enclose the

small pavilion for use as a museum. The regional director questioned King's authority since such

plans required clearance from the regional supervisor for historic sites and the branch for plans and

design. King responded that he had acted on the understanding that building alterations for

maintenance purposes were within the authority of the park superintendent. He maintained that

adaptation of the pavilion did not constitute a new project and that his intention was only to temporarily use the building. King assured the regional director that any plans for a permanent

structure would be conducted through proper channels. 14

Although King transferred to the Natchez Trace Parkway in January 1942, development at Moores Creek continued to focus on ways of upgrading the park and attracting more visitors. King's successor, Oswald E. Camp, further developed the picnic area by installing drinking fountains

enclosed within hollow cypress stumps to blend with the natural environment. Camp urged county

and state officials to improve the approach roads to the remote park for better visitor access. After

Camp enlisted the aid of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and the North Carolina State Department of Archives and History, Highway 602 was widened during November 1942 in

preparation for paving. However, the project was delayed by the nation's mobilization effort during

World War II.

15

Visitation at Moores Creek NMP increased during the war when soldiers stationed at nearby

Camp Davis and workers from the Wilmington shipyards began visiting the park during off-duty

hours. On several occasions, the park was made available to soldiers for day-long outings. The first of these occasions attracted a crowd of 650 people in June 1943. Two months later, the 225th

Searchlight Battalion visited the park; 550 soldiers and their wives attended. In addition to

recreational outings, the park accommodated the U.S. Army during maneuvers at Burgaw. The

park provided water for the troops as well as dry grass for mattresses. Such activities continued

until Camp Davis was closed in October 1944. 16

Meanwhile, regional and park staffs devised new development plans for the park. One area of

contention was Camp's insistence on a museum. Although the park had no artifacts for display, he
Chapter Three: Planning and Development at Moores Creek 21

considered a museum to be essential for interpretive purposes. Coordinating Superintendent Jean

C. Harrington and the regional director disagreed. In their opinion, a museum was unnecessary

since the battleground itself was sufficient to tell the story. Indeed, Harrington argued that the

park did not even need to be staffed throughout the year. The regional director thought a modest

contact shelter could function as the focal point for visitors with space for a historical display,

storage of pamphlets, comfort facilities, and a public shelter. Camp disagreed and continued to push for the museum.17 Camp also sought to acquire additional land. Since the park lacked authority from Congress to accept more acreage, U.S. Congressman Graham A. Barden of North Carolina introduced legislation

in 1942 calling for the park's enlargement. Endorsed by the secretary of the interior, the bill authorized acceptance of donated property. However, the legislation stalled in Congress and did

not pass during the session. In October 1943, Barden introduced almost identical legislation, HR

3384, which again authorized acceptance of donated property. 18 Delayed by World War II, Congress

finally approved HR 3384 on September 27, 1944. At a conference in Wilmington the following

year, the state agreed to fund the land acquisition. Between 1947 and 1948, the North Carolina

General Assembly appropriated the necessary funds and purchased over twelve acres for donation

to the park. Transfer of the land took place during the 175th anniversary observance of the battle

in 1951. 19 A 1944 list of proposed construction projects at Moores Creek NMP included trails, roads,

parking areas, utility facilities, and a superintendent's residence. However, these projects would

have to wait until the Mission 66 development program due to lack of funding.20 By 1945, the War

Department's 1931 reconstructed bridge was in danger of collapse. Although reconstruction of

the battle-period bridge was a priority, NPS officials decided against it since little was known of its design and any reconstruction would be based on conjecture. The park removed the bridge's timbers

and left the concrete abutments in place. A second reconstruction would have to wait until more

research could be conducted.21

Despite drainage system improvements since 1933, the park continued to experience flooding

in its low areas. A September 1945 flood was unusually severe with six feet of water flowing

through the park's office. Besides periodic flooding, the park suffered damage from hurricanes that

hit the coastal plain of North Carolina during the 1940s and 1950s. Winds during an August 1944

hurricane removed the Moore Monument's obelisk from its base. Between 1954 and 1960,

Hurricanes Hazel, Connie, Diane, Helena, and Donna flooded low areas and destroyed dozens of

trees at the park.22 Weather problems continue to plague the park. In 1 996, Hurricanes Bertha and

Fran caused flooding, downed trees, and closed the park for more than forty days. Further flooding

in 1998 closed off access to sections of the park for more than a week.23

With World War II over, the state began paving Highway 602 in 1946. In November 1950, the

highway was dedicated as the Moores Creek Battleground Highway. During the following year, the

highway bridge across Moores Creek was replaced. The road was redesignated as Highway 210 in

January 1952.24

By 1943, a revived MCBA renewed its annual celebrations. In addition, the association began

sponsoring annual Easter services at the park. Within a few years, the MCBA was lobbying for

improved facilities to accommodate these activities. At a meeting called by North Carolina State SenatorJ. V. Whitfield, the association asked the NPS to construct a meeting room and amphitheater.

Harrington responded that the NPS would consider incorporating a meeting room into a future
22 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

Figure 9. The superintendent's residence during the 1945 flood

administration building but that the amphitheater idea would need more study.25 A major obstacle

to fulfilling the MCBA's request was the lack of NPS funding. Consequently, the association

approached Barden with draft legislation for a federal appropriation to construct an auditorium at the park. In January 1950, Barden introduced the bill into the U.S. House of Representatives where

it was refused passage. The MCBA continued to press its case for the next fifteen years.

26

Since its establishment, Moores Creek NMP had enjoyed strong local support. In 1954, this support was galvanized by a park closure threat. In January of that year, the Raleigh News <&

Observer published an article about Secretary of the Interior Douglas McKay's report on the potential

divestiture of NPS areas believed to be of questionable national significance. Moores Creek was

identified as one of the areas to be examined for possible removal from the national park system.

After the Wilmington Star-News published a similar article, a storm of public protest led to a mass

meeting on the issue at the Pender County Courthouse. In addition, the NPS and the Department

of the Interior were flooded with letters urging retention of the park. For its part, the MCBA

organized a committee to meet with NPS Director Conrad L. Wirth. The meeting proved unnecessary

when the NPS reaffirmed Moores Creek's significance to the national park system, thereby assuring

its continued existence as a national park.27
Chapter Three: Planning and Development at Moores Creek 23

Mission 66 at Moores Creek, 1956-1969

Due to limited funding during World War II, the NPS undertook few park improvement efforts. After the war, visitation to national parks exploded due to economic prosperity, increased leisure

time, and greater automobile use. Visitation at Moores Creek, for example, increased from 8,000 in

1949 to 26,000 in 1956. At parks across the nation, outdated facilities were ill-suited to meet the

needs of increasing numbers of visitors. Consequently, NPS Director Wirth convinced the

Eisenhower Ad^riinistration and Congress to support a ten-year building program, which was coined

Mission 66. Initiated in the mid-1950s at a cost in excess of one billion dollars, Mission 66 sought

to substantially upgrade park facilities nationwide in time for the fiftieth anniversary of the NPS in

1966. Like many small parks, Moores Creek was transformed by Mission 66. 28

In March 1958, the NPS began Mission 66 improvements at Moores Creek with the letting of

contracts for the removal of existing buildings and groundbreaking ceremonies for a major building

program. By January 1959, the J.W Hunter Construction Company of Wilmington had completed

a visitor center with a museum, an equipment storage building, and two employee residences.

Later that year, Greenbriar Farms of Norfolk, Virginia, completed a contract for erection of a

flagpole and landscaping for the visitor center and residential areas. Other Mission 66 work included

the construction of an entrance road, a parking area, additional trails, and a sixty-foot water storage

tank.29

EXISTING PLAN

MONUMENT

NATIONAL MILITARY PARK ROAD

FOOT PATH

Figure 10. A 1972 map of Moores Creek showing the Mission 66 layout
24 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

Figure 1 1 . The Mission 66 visitor center at Moores Creek

With the completion of major Mission 66 projects, Moores Creek had finally acquired the

essential facilities to operate independent of Colonial National Historical Park. In July, the regional

office instructed the park superintendent to assume responsibility for all adrninistrative functions

and report direcdy to the regional director. Appointed in February 1959, James M. Ford was the

first superintendent to manage the park under this new arrangement.30

As the Mission 66 program at the park neared completion in 1964, the MCBA renewed efforts to have a meeting hall built for special gatherings. The association wanted a building and

amphitheater on the slope between the visitor center and the earthworks; however, NPS officials objected that this plan would be an intrusion on the battleground. Instead, the regional director

proposed a shelter with a speaking platform and restrooms near the picnic area located across Highway 210 from the earthworks and the historic bridge site.

31

In January 1965, the chief architect of the NPS met with U.S. Congressman David N. Henderson

and Whitfield to discuss the MCBA's proposed meeting hall. The existing facilities in the picnic

area consisted of an open shelter, pit privies, and no definite parking area, drives, or walks. Since

the area was almost entirely situated within the floodplain, the proposed structure would be located on higher ground at the site of the 1907 superintendent's house, which had been demolished in

1959 as part of Mission 66 activities. Designed as a forty-foot-by-ninety-foot building constructed

of materials compatible with the natural environment, the proposed structure included meeting

space, audiovisual capabilities, and restrooms. However, only $47,300 had been programmed for

all remaining Mission 66 development activities, including utilities, landscape improvements, a
Chapter Three: Planning and Development at Moores Creek 25

new entrance road, parking, and walks. Since the estimated cost for the meeting building alone was

$37,000, the politicians were forced to seek additional money.

32

Through the lobbying of the MCBA, additional funds were allocated for a facility that would

serve as a picnic shelter, meeting hall, and comfort station, including a parking area, an entrance

road, utilities, and improved grounds. The park awarded the contract to Dixie General Contractors

of Wallace, North Carolina. In August 1965, the contractor cleared the site and began work. Upon

its completion the following year, the facility was dedicated by the park as Patriots Hall. The issue of expansion proved less fruitful. The acquisition of 12.23 acres in 1951 had allowed

for the construction of the Mission 66 entrance road and parking area, but the park still lacked

sufficient land for full development of the planned facilities. As both state senator and president

of the MCBA, Whitfield began urging the NPS to acquire land on the west side of the creek, which

had been the site of Caswell's camp the night before the battle. Whitfield believed acquisition

would enable the park to reconstruct the battle-period bridge; however, the land west of the creek

had not been identified in the park's acquisition program. The NPS considered the creek a logical

natural boundary and had concerns about potential protection problems in a detached area, which

the land west of the creek represented. In addition, reconstruction of the bridge was not a park

priority since little was known about the battle-period bridge. Nevertheless, Whitfield and the

MCBA continued to pursue state funding for land acquisition.33

Meanwhile, other Mission 66 projects were completed. A well was dug in the vicinity of the

elevated tank, and its natural flow entered a six-hundred-gallon underground tank. The water was

then pumped to the elevated tank and treated with sulfuric acid to prevent precipitates. Dixie

General Contractors completed construction of a brick-veneered wall and gate at the park entrance. In addition, this company worked with the state highway department to improve the drainage

system adjacent to Highway 210 at the park entrance. A post and split rail fence was installed on

both sides of the highway through the park.34

Flooding had long been a serious problem at the park. Since Moores Creek was always prone to overflow its banks, previous drainage measures were never completely successful in protecting the

park. Though drainage ditches reduced the area's dampness and high water table, flooding continued.

In 1965, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed clearing the creek and digging a bypass

channel to improve the drainage of floodwaters. Park Superintendent Russell A. Gibbs had

reservations about the plan because of the possibility that the existing creek bed, which included

the historic bridge site, would fill in or become a backwater swamp. In addition, the bypass would

cut through land on the west side of the creek—the site of Caswell's camp. At a December meeting

with the Corps of Engineers, the MCBA joined the NPS in expressing its concerns. In the end, the

proposed channel was never built.35

By the late 1960s, Mssion 66 development activities at Moores Creek NMP had been completed

and the emphasis shifted to mamtaining the new facilities. Painting and cleaning schedules were

instituted for the visitor center, Patriots Hall, and the employee residences. Grounds work consisted

of routine activities such as tree trimming and periodic repair of the drainage ditches. With

completion of the Mission 66 program, limited funding and staffing levels once again curtailed

park initiatives.36
26 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

Development under Master and Development Concept Plans, 1969-1998

In 1969, park and regional staffs prepared the Moores Creek NMP Master Plan. Among the plan's

priorities were the acquisition of additional land, the relocation of Highway 210 from the center of the park, and the restoration of the landscape to its battle-period appearance. These and other

goals were outlined in more detail in the Moores Creek NMP Development Concept Plan (DCP)

several years later.

37

In 1970, a team from the regional office highlighted problems caused by the shortage of funds

and staffing at the park. The report recommended that more money be allocated to the park and

that the permanent staff of four be increased to six. It also suggested that consideration be given

to clustering Moores Creek with Cape Hatteras National Seashore or Cape Lookout National

Seashore. Overall, the report concluded that there was an attitude of indifference toward the park

by regional officials who considered Moores Creek "... as an end of the line, low priority park,

largely because of its small size, isolated location, little known story, and low visitation."38

Even with the limitations faced by park staff, the planning process continued with the

completion of the Moores Creek DCP in 1972. Prepared by landscape architect Geoffrey Swan,

this plan outlined the park's future physical development in accordance with the 1969 park master

plan. The most important proposal in the DCP was acquisition of lands adjacent to the park,

including twenty-one acres to the east, twelve acres to the west, and two and one half acres to the

north. Possession of these lands would allow for the relocation of Highway 210, the preservation

of the west bank of Moores Creek, and the creation of buffer zones around the park's historic and

developed areas. The relocation of Highway 210 was a significant component since the highway was a major visual intrusion on the historic scene and a safety hazard. Once the highway's roadbed was removed, the park's layout could be redesigned. In addition, the DCP called for the creek to be

restored to its battle-period course. The existing entrance road would be replaced by a new road

leading directly to the visitor center with spurs to the residential area and Patriots Hall. The drive

between the visitor center and the earthworks would be removed along with its two parking areas. Additional parking areas were planned for both the visitor center and Patriots Hall. New interpretive

trails would be developed through the earthworks and past the monuments, three of which would

be relocated. A nature trail loop was to be constructed south of the visitor center. In order to improve interpretation, the historic bridge would once again be reconstructed; a separate footbridge

would provide access to the west side of the creek; and new interpretive markers would be placed

along the trails, including some audio units. Three zones—historic, transitional, and developed

would be designated for the purpose of vegetation management.39

The development proposals in the DCP received a boost when the NPS included Moores

Creek in its American Revolution Bicentennial development program. From July 1 973 to June

1976, this program sought to upgrade facilities in time for the nation's bicentennial at the twentythree national parks with thematic ties to the American Revolution. For parks like Moores Creek,

the approaching Bicentennial provided cause for significant improvements.40

In September 1974, the park initiated its plan under the American Revolution Bicentennial

development program. The Simon Construction Company of Wilmington began removal of the

drive between the visitor center and the battleground parking areas and relocation of the Loyalist

and Patriot Monuments. By March 1975, the asphalt drive and parking areas throughout the historic zone had been removed, and a new soil-cement trail had been constructed from the visitor center through the historic area. A loop nature trail was created in the wooded area southeast of the
Chapter Three: Planning and Development at Moores Creek 27

" PROPOSED PLAN

**.* INTERPRETIVE MARKER O AUDIO ACTIVATOR

OBLITERATE ROAD IZ EXISTING ROAD V PROPOSED RDAD

^=1 NATURE TRAIL

C> E> INTERPRETIVE TRAIL

» CASWELL S CAMP TRAIL

EXISTING MONUMENT D RELOCATED MONUMENT

EXISTING NATIONAL MILITARY PARK _ PROPOSED NATIONAL MILITARY PARK

Figure 12. A map from the 1972 DCP showing the proposed changes to the park's layout

visitor center. The parking lots at the visitor center and Patriots Hall were enlarged, and asphalt

walks were added. In addition, the visitor center was renovated. By the Bicentennial in 1976,

several major DCP proposals were completed.41

During the Bicentennial, greater attention was given to maintaining the park grounds. Curbs,

sidewalks, and roads were edged; shrubs were trimmed and shaped; dead material was removed

from the trees; and all use areas were cleaned of leaves and other debris. Shrubs were even removed

to facilitate crowd movement, stored at a nursery, and later replanted.42

In 1978, Superintendent John Stockert attempted to solve a problem that had long been a concern at Moores Creek. Over a number of years, the historic road causeway leading to the bridge

site had suffered from steady erosion. Stockert requested the U.S. Department of Agriculture's

district conservationist to investigate the problem and suggest solutions to mitigate the erosion.

The investigation determined that the erosion was a natural process and could not be stopped, but

the district conservationist offered alternatives to stabilize the slopes. In November 1980, a contract

for causeway stabilization with rip-rap and stone was completed by T.D Eure Construction of

Morehead City, North Carolina. Since this action only slowed the rate of erosion, the park continued

to haul in sediment after each episode of flooding.43 With conditions again deteriorating, the park

received additional funding to stabilize the causeway in 1995. The Corps of Engineers designed

and contracted for rip-rap replacement and revegetation. This work was completed by November

1997. The El Nino rains of December 1997 and early 1998 put the causeway under water for

almost two months, frequently with swift-moving water. The stabilization efforts have proven
28 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

successful, and the park is currently working with the Corps of Engineers to stabilize the area of

the reconstructed bridge abutments. A draft plan should be completed by the end of calendar year

1998.44

By 1980, the park was prepared to officially change its name as recommended in the master

plan. Park officials believed that designating the site as a national battlefield was appropriate since

the park had traditionally been known as the "Moores Creek battleground." In addition, park staff

believed that "national battlefield" was a clearer designation for the park than "national military

park," which might suggest a military facility. The idea was endorsed by the MCBA and the local

community. Accordingly, on September 8, 1980, the official park name was changed by federal

legislation from Moores Creek National Military Park to Moores Creek National Battlefield (NB).45

The early 1980s saw the culmination of land acquisition efforts as proposed by both the park

master plan and the DCP. Although the North Carolina General Assembly had appropriated funds

for land purchases, the proposed acquisition required federal legislation to authorize boundary

extensions. This authority was provided in Public Law 93-4771, which was signed by President

Richard Nixon on October 26, 1974. Within three years, the park had acquired all of the desired

land except for property on the west side of the creek. In 1978, Stockert reported that nearly all of

the buildings on the new lands had been removed. However, condemnation proceedings on the

land west of the creek continued until 1982. A court trial in Wilmington in mid-March of that year

awarded $125,000 to the owner, Dr. Charles F. Simpson. The federal government had offered

$59,000; Simpson sought $213,000. With this last tract, Moores Creek NB totaled 86.52 acres in

size. Adjacent landowner H.D. Hates donated 1.23 acres along the western boundary in 1997,

bringing the total acreage to 87.75.415

During the early and mid-1980s, a number of improvements were made to the water and septic

systems at the park. This work included the replacement of the two septic tanks in the residential

area, the removal of the Mission 66 underground water tank, the replacement of water lines installed

during Mission 66 activities, and the installation of new water lines between the visitor center and

the earthworks to irrigate the area and to supply water for a new drinking fountain. Lastly, the park

received permission from the state to stop treating water with sulfuric acid—a treatment that the

park had been required to do since 1967.47 In 1994, the water system was further upgraded with the

construction of a new water treatment building in the residential area. Built by Moores Creek and

Cape Hatteras National Seashore staff members, this structure replaced a smaller one.

48

In 1 986, the long-awaited relocation of Highway 210 finally began, allowing for major alterations

to the physical layout of the park. The North Carolina Department of Transportation awarded a

contract to remove the existing highway and build a new bypass through a newly acquired tract of

park land east of the visitor center. With the highway relocated, the park constructed a new entrance

road, realigned the road system within the park, and relocated the picnic area parking lot to a site behind Patriots Hall.49

During the 1990s, reconstruction of the historic bridge across Moores Creek was completed

after two decades of debate. Although the NPS had decided against reconstruction in 1 945 due to

insufficient information on the battle-period bridge's design, the park had never abandoned the

idea. Subsequent planning documents, including the 1969 master plan and the 1972 DCP, continued

to recommend the bridge's reconstruction. However, NPS officials at the Denver Service Center

and the Southeast Regional Office opposed any further attempt to reconstruct the historic bridge

during the 1 970s. They argued that reconstruction was generally inconsistent with NPS management
Chapter Three: Planning and Development at Moores Creek 29

Figure 1 3. A map showing boundary changes at Moores Creek between 1 897 and 1 997. The key is as follows: the

original 30.0 acres transferred to the NPS in 1933, A; the 12.23 acres acquired in 1951, B; the 35.82 acres acquired in

1 974 under the DCP, C; the 1 1 .77 acres acquired after condemnation proceedings in 1 982, D; and the 1 .23 acres donated in 1997, E.

policies and that an authentic reconstruction could not be assured.50 Denver Service Center Historian

John Albright recommended against "the folly of using even more time and effort in looking for

the exact structure of the bridge."51

Besides this opposition, reconstruction of the bridge was further delayed since the land on the

west bank of Moores Creek was not within the park's boundary at the time that the DCP was

formulated. With acquisition of the land west of the creek in 1982, the park renewed its research

efforts. In 1986, the park received a grant from the Eastern National Park and Monument Association

to conduct a study in conjunction with the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Officer.

The study provided design guidelines for reconstruction based on a "minimum of conjecture."

With the study's findings, Superintendent Fred Boyles began pushing for the reconstruction against

the opposition of other NPS officials. He met with regional officials in 1 987 and prepared a position

paper the following year. Boyles argued that a reconstructed bridge was necessary for the

interpretation of the battle since other interpretive techniques were inadequate. In addition, he

pointed out that the 1 974 park expansion legislation was in part justified by the need to reconstruct

the bridge. Boyles's case prevailed and the park received the director's permission for reconstruction

in June 1988.52

Development of the bridge reconstruction plan by the Southeast Region's Historic Architecture

Division was slow but steady. In July 1 990, a Corps of Engineers soil analysis of the creek bed

resulted in a modification of the bridge's structural supports from concrete mud sills to concrete
30 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

and timber pilings, a design which sought to reduce disturbances to the historic creek bed. Plans were made for U.S. Army troops at Fort Bragg to reconstruct the bridge as a volunteer project, but

the initiation of Operation Desert Shield prior to the Persian Gulf War postponed the project

indefinitely. 53

To get the project moving forward again, the Pender County Commissioners made a donation

to the MCBA towards the cost of reconstructing the bridge. Superintendent Dusty Shultz approved

the project's feasibility as other donations came in from the local community. Eddie Corbett of

Wilmington provided cypress trees for the pilings and the center sleeper of the bridge. The MCBA

paid for additional lumber and for the trees to be hand-hewn into timbers. In October and November

1992, following the removal of concrete abutments from the 1931 bridge, the new bridge was

constructed by a preservation crew from Cape Hatteras National Seashore. After nearly fifty years,

a replica of the historic bridge once again spanned Moores Creek. With completion of the bridge,

the major development proposals of the 1969 master plan and the 1972 DCP had been implemented.54

In 1 994, NPS agency restructuring brought about several new planning initiatives which affected

Moores Creek NB. The park was placed within the Fort Sumter Group, under the adrninistration of

Superintendent John Tucker. Tucker revisited the 1972 DCP and determined that ample direction

remained for upgrading existing facilities. In 1996, the History Trail was reconfigured to comply

with the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines. The earthcrete was removed; the trail was

relocated off the historic road; and a new paved surface was laid. The Tarheel Trail was completely

relocated to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and to place the trail on higher

ground, directing it past the most visible tar kiln remnant in the park. 55 Like all federal agencies, the

Figure 14. The completed bridge reconstruction, 1992
Chapter Three: Planning and Development at Moores Creek 3

1

NPS undertook a strategic planning process in 1997 to begin meeting the requirements of the

Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). Due to the field level implementation of

GPRA in the NPS, Moores Creek NB prepared park-specific, five-year goals with mission statements

for various areas of park operations and specific actions to achieve stated outcomes.56

In 1997, construction began on new restroom facilities in the area just north of the visitor

center, including a new lift station and drain field. This doubled the restroom capacity and allowed

for potential expansion of the museum area into the footprints of the old restrooms. The plans were provided by the Southeast Support Office, and construction was conducted by staff from

Moores Creek, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and Fort Sumter National Monument. The lift

station and drain field work was contracted. The new restrooms officially opened in February

1998.57 A number of administrative changes occurred during the late 1990s. By 1996, Fort Sumter

National Monument Chief Ranger Ann Childress was serving as Moores Creek's first-line supervisor,

visiting the site every month. Administrative Officer Hattie Squires served as team leader for dayto-day operations from June 1995 through September 1996. Chief of Interpretation Linda Brown

served in this position between October 1996 and December 1997. An operating budget increase was granted to the park in the 1 998 fiscal year, allowing for an on-site superintendency which was

assumed by Childress in January 1998. However, the park remained part of the Fort Sumter Group.

Cooperative efforts were also renewed with MCBA as the organization neared its centennial.

Association member Ken Newbold chaired a meeting of the MCBA board to establish both shortand long-term goals for the organization. In addition, the association gained 501(c)(3) status under

the federal tax code as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. The group decided to revive the

annual picnics to attract new members, and the first one was held in June 1998. 58

Notes

'Gibbs, 25-26.

2 Final Report on Federal Projects 454 and 456, October 8, 1936, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 1

.

3 King served as acting superintendent from October 1 6, 1 936, to December 1 , 1 936, when he was appointed to the position

permanently.

4 Gibbs, 26; Superintendent's Monthly Report, April 1 936, Park Files; hereinafter cited as Monthly Report.

3 Coordinating Superintendent to Director, September 3, 1936, Historical Papers, Vol. 1; Superintendent to Coordinating

Superintendent, January 6, 1 937, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 2; Coordinating Superintendent to Director, March 2, 1 937, Historical

Papers, Vol. 2; Superintendent to Director, November 22, 1937, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 2; Regional Director to Coordinating

Superintendent, December 1 6, 1937, National Archives, Mid-Adantic Region, Philadelphia, Record Group 79, Records of

the National Park Service, Central Classified Files, 1 936- 1 952, Box 1 03, hereinafter cited as MAR Coordinating Superintendent

to Regional Director, December 27, 1 937, Historical Papers, Vol. 2; Eastern Division, Branch of Plans, Moores Creek National

Military Park GeneralPlanting Plan, Drawing 324-1051, Map Collection.
32 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

6 Phoebe Cutler, The Public Landscape of the New Deal (New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 1 985), 5-7, 88.

7 Coordinating Superintendent to Director, September 3, 1936, Historical Papers, Vol. 1; Coordinating Superintendent to

Director, March 2, 1 937, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 2; Oliver G. Taylor to Coordinating Superintendent, March 3,1937, MAR, Box

1 03; Acting Director to Graham A. Barden, August 29, 1 938, Historical Papers, Vol. 2; Monthly Report, April 1 939.

8 Annual Reports, 1936-1938; Monthly Reports, April-December 1936, January, February, April, June, September-December

1937, January-May 1938; Acting Superintendent to Director, January 6, 1936, Historical Papers, Vol. 1; Superintendent to Coordinating Superintendent, December 22, 1937, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 2.

9 Monthly Report, February 1938; Moores Creek NationalMilitary Park Proposed Restoration-Fortified Camp, Drawing 324- 1 0001

,

Map Collection.

10 Roy E. Appleman, Report on Inspection and Recommendations, Moores Creek National Military Park, April 19, 1938, 1-4,

Historical Papers, Vol. 2.

11 Annual Reports, 1938, 1 939; Monthly Reports, May-December 1938; King, 7-8.

12 Monthly Reports, June-July 1937; Annual Report, 1938; Superintendent to Coordinating Superintendent, August 31, 1939,

MAR, Box 104; Regional Director to Coordinating Superintendent, September 13, 1939, MAR, Box 104; Coordinating

Superintendent to Superintendent, December 1 2, 1 939, MAR, Box 1 04.

13 Superintendent to Coordinating Superintendent, January 17, 1940, MAR, Box 104; A.R Kelly, Chief, Archeological Sites Division, to Coordinating Superintendent, February 8, 1 940, MAR, Box 1 04; Thor Borresen, Report on Inspection of Earthwork

Restoration and Repair, March 20, 1940, MAR, Box 104.

14 Acting Regional Director to Coordinating Superintendent, December 12, 1938, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 2; Superintendent to Coordinating Superintendent, January 14, 1939, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 2.

15 Superintendent to Coordinating Superintendent,June 27, 1 939, MAR, Box 1 03; Superintendent to District Commissioner,

May 1 6, 1 941 , MAR, Box 1 03; Monthly Reports, February, May, November 1 942; Superintendent to Coordinating Superintendent,

September 20, 1 943, MAR, Box 1 03.

16 Monthly Reports, May 1 941 ; June-November 1 943; April, July, September 1 944; Annual Report, 1 943.

17 Superintendent to Regional Director, November 7, 1 942, MAR, Box 1 03; Acting Coordinating Superintendent to Regional

Director, November 17,1 942, MAR, Box 1 03; Acting Regional Director to Superintendent, February 17,1 943, HistoricalPapers,

Vol. 3; Superintendent to Regional Director, February 23, 1943, Historical Papers, Vol. 3; Coordinating Superintendent to Superintendent, April 27, 1945, MAR, Box 103.

18 Annual Report, 1942; Secretary of the Interior to Chairman, Committee on Public Lands, May 21, 1942, MAR, Box 104; Superintendent to Director, October 1 , 1 942, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 3; Regional Director to Director, August 1 2, 1 943, MAR, Box

103; Monthly Reports, January, September-October, 1943; February-March 1944.

19 Superintendent to Coordinating Superintendent, October 5, 1 944, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 4; Press Release, October 1 0, 1 944,

HistoricalPapers, Vol. 4; Monthly Report, February 1945; Annual Reports, 1947-1948, 1952; Pender Chronicle, November 6, 1951,

Historical Papers, Vol. 5.
Chapter Three: Planning and Development at Moores Creek 33

20 Coordinating Superintendent to Regional Director, September 27, 1 943, Historical'Papers, Vol. 3; Priority Project Construction

List, January 1, 1944, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 4.

21 Regional Landscape Architect to Coordinating Superintendent,June 30, 1944, MAR, Box 103; Regional Director to Director, June 30, 1944, MAR, Box 103; Regional Director to Coordinating Superintendent, July 5, 1944, Historical Papers, Vol. 4; Superintendent to Coordinating Superintendent, May 30, 1 945, MAR, Box 1 03; Coordinating Superintendent to Superintendent, June 7, 1945, MAR, Box 103.

22 Gibbs, 32-33.

23 Ann Childress, Superintendent, Moores Creek National Battlefield, to Steve Davis, Historian, Southeast Regional Office,

July 22, 1 998, Moores Creek National Battlefield Research Files, Cultural Resources Stewardship Division, Southeast Regional

Office, National Park Service, Atlanta.

24 Superintendent to Coordinating Superintendent, March 29, 1946, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 4; Annual Reports, 1 946, 1 948, 1 951

;

Monthly Reports, January-February, October 1 950; Gibbs, 29-31

.

25 Gibbs, 28; Annual Report, 1 943; Coordinating Superintendent to Regional Director, September 30, 1 947, HistoricalPapers,

Vol. 4.

26 Pender Chronicle, October 1 3, 1 949, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 5; Pender Cbronicle^anaarj 11,1 950, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 5; Monthly

Report, February 1 950.

27 Gibbs, 34-37; Monthly Reports, January-February, 1 954; "Hearing Set on North Carolina Park," Raleigh News &Observer, January 6, 1954, Historical Papers, Vol. 6; Coordinating Superintendent to Superintendent, January 20, 1954, Historical Papers,

Vol. 6.

28 Gibbs, 31; Barry Mackintosh, The NationalParks: Shaping the System (Washington: National Park Service, 1991), 62.

29 Monthly Reports, March, November 1 958; Wilmingon Star-News, March 9, 1 958, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 7; Narrative Completion

Reports,January-February 1 959, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 8; Coordinating Superintendent to J.W Hunter Construction Company,

March 10, 1959, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 8.

30 Gibbs, 26; Monthly Report, February 1 959; Regional Director to Director, February 2, 1 959, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 8.

31 Regional Director to Chief, Eastern Office of Design and Construction, June 2, 1964, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 9.

32 Assistant Director, Design and Construction, to Chief, Eastern Office ofDesign and Constructionjanuary 8, 1965, Historical

Papers,Vol.9.

33 Master Plan Outline,June 1952, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 5; Superintendent to Coordinating Superintendent, December 2, 1 956,

HistoricalPapers, Vol. 6; Regional Director to Director, January 23, 1 959, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 8; Regional Historian to Mr.Jeffers, December 8, 1 960, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 8; Regional Director to Director, May 1 9, 1 964, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 9; Annual Report,

1966; Monthly Report,July 1967.

34 Annual Report, 1966; Completion Report, August 1966, Historical Papers, Vol. 10.

35 Highlight Briefing Statement, 1965, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 9.
34 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

36 Operation Evaluation Report, 1 970, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 1 1

.

37 U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Master Plan, Moores Creek National Military Park (Washington:

National Park Service, 1969), 1-22.

38 Operation Evaluation Report, 1970, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 1 1

.

39 U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Development Concept Plan, Moores Creek National Military Park

(Washington: National Park Service, 1972), 1-15.

40 Merrill J. Mattes, landmarks of Liberty: A Report on the American Revolution Bicentennial Development Program of the National

ParkService (Washington: National Park Service, 1989), 1-13, 111-112.

41 Annual Reports, 1974, 1975; Completion Report, Grounds Improvement, March 1975, Historical Papers, Vol. 13; Mattes,

111-112.

42 Annual Report, 1976.

43 District Conservationist, Department of Agriculture, to Superintendent, November 16, 1978, Historical Papers, Vol. 13; Annual Reports, 1980, 1997.

44 Childress, July 22, 1998; Annual Report, 1997.

43 Superintendent to Regional Director, June 1 , 1 978, Park Files; Acting Regional Director to Chief, Office ofLegislation, May

1 6, 1 979, Park Files; Annual Report, 1 980.

46 Monthly Report, July 1969; Operation Evaluation Report, September 1970, Historical Papers, Vol. 11; Superintendent to Regional Director,June 9, 1 971 , HistoricalPapers, Vol 11; Annual Reports, 1 973, 1 974, 1 977, 1 978, 1 982; Childress,July 22, 1 998.

47 Annual Reports, 1981, 1983; John W Stockert to Mike Capps, November 28, 1994, Moores Creek National Battlefield Research Files.

48 Assessment of Actions Having an Effect on Cultural Resources, MOCR 94-01, Section 106 Files, Cultural Resources

Stewardship Division, Southeast Regional Office, National Park Service, Atlanta.

49 Annual Report, 1987.

50 John Albright, Historian, Historic Preservation, Denver Service Center, to Manager, Historic Preservation Team, Denver

Service Center, November 5, 1 973; Assistant Director, Park Historic Preservation, to Manager, Historic Preservation Team, Denver Service Center, February 22, 1 974; Regional Director, Southeast Region, to Manager, Denver Service Center, December

1 8, 1 976, Moores Creek National Battlefield Research Files.

31 John Albright, Historian, Historic Preservation, Denver Service Center, to Manager, Historic Preservation Team, Denver

Service Center, November 5, 1 973, Moores Creek National Battlefield Research Files.

32 Annual Report, 1986; Superintendent to Regional Historian, Southeast Region, November 23, 1987; Fred Boyles, Position
Chapter Three: Planning and Development at Moores Creek 35

Paper: The Reconstruction of the HistoricMoores Creek Bridge, March 1, 1988; Director to Regional Director, Southeast Region,June

17, 1988, Moores Creek National Battlefield Research Files.

53 Annual Report, 1990.

54 Moores Creek National Battlefield, Report on the Reconstruction of the HistoricMoores Creek Bridge (National Park Service, 1993),

2-8.

55 Childress, July 22, 1998; Annual Report, 1997.

56 Moores Creek National Battlefield, Government Performance and ResultsAct (National Park Service, 1997), 1-1 1; hereinafter

referred to as GPRA.

57 Ibid.

58 Childress, July 22, 1998; Annual Report, 1997.

CHAPTER FOUR

INTERPRETATION AND VISITOR SERVICES

Early Interpretive Efforts

Prior to NPS control of Moores Creek in 1933, the battleground had no interpretive program. The

MCMA used the site primarily for annual celebrations. Beyond the erection of the Battie of Moores

Creek Bridge Monument and the reconstruction of the bridge, the War Department made no attempt

to interpret the historical significance of the park. Even during the first three years of NPS

administration, little was done to enlighten visitors about the events of the battie.

In 1936, interpretation became a priority when Moores Creek received its first historian ranger

position. Consequently, the park began collecting general Revolutionary War materials and contacting

local schools about visiting the battleground. Public indifference led the park to start an extensive

education program. Superintendent King took charge of the program and gave 167 lectures to

nearly sixteen thousand grade school and high school students and teachers. In addition, he gave a

fifteen-minute talk about the park on radio station WPTF in Raleigh; mimeographed information

circulars were prepared for public distribution. 1 In an effort to improve interpretation at the park,

staff prepared text for six interpretive markers and developed educational exhibits for a proposed

museum. The central exhibit was to be a map of North Carolina in 1 776. Other exhibits would

highlight the story of the Moores Creek campaign, the Revolutionary War in the South, natural

features in the park, and other national park areas. These ideas were drawn together in a museum

plan and submitted to the regional office in May 1939.2

That same year, King enclosed an MCMA dance pavilion for use as a temporary museum to provide visitors with information on events surrounding the battie. Exhibits produced both at Moores Creek and at Colonial National Historical Park focused on the battle's background, the

preliminaries, the battle campaign, Patriot artifacts, Loyalist artifacts, the southern campaign, the

battlefield, natural history, and other national parks in 'the region.3

Besides the temporary museum, Moores Creek staff made other improvements to the park's

interpretive program before World War II. In 1939, two narrative markers, four site markers, and

four signs were placed around the battleground to mark significant points of interest and to direct

visitors to the primary historic features. In June 1940, the park published its first information

folder. In 1 941 , the two Civil War cannon were exchanged with Petersburg NB for a 1 760 half37
38 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

Figure 1 5. The temporary museum at Moores Creek, circa 1 950

pound swivel gun and a 1748 two-pound cast iron cannon. These cannon marked the park's first

exhibit of authentic Revolutionary War artifacts. Throughout the 1 940s, the park's efforts to interpret

the battleground were handicapped by the lack of permanent exhibits and appropriate facilities. A

1949 museum prospectus specifically identified the need for permanent exhibit and storage space

for artifacts.4

The Impact of Mission 66 on Interpretation

As part of Moores Creek NMP's planning for Mission 66 development, a prospectus was prepared

for a proposed visitor center and museum in 1953. It maintained that a visitor center was crucial

for full implementation of the interpretive program at the park. Containing pictures, maps, and

objects, the visitor center would serve as an orientation for the battleground. Visitors would then

proceed to a self-guided trail leading through the earthworks to the Patriot Monument, past the

two cannon to the Negro Head Point Road causeway, and to the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge

Monument where an audio station would be located. The trail would then proceed along the historic

road causeway past the earthworks. A wayside exhibit would be located along this portion of the

trail. 5

The vision of a new visitor center and corresponding interpretive program was delayed until

the arrival of Mission 66 funding in 1958. Meanwhile, park staff continued to improve the existing

interpretive program. In March 1 954, a new wayside exhibit was installed, and a self-guided trail was laid out the following month. However, shortage of staff and lack of proper facilities continued
Chapter Four: Interpretation and Visitor Services 39

to hamper interpretive efforts. Interpretation was especially difficult at the entrance since it was

only one hundred feet from the center of Highway 21 0.

6

Completion of the visitor center and museum in 1958 finally allowed installation of permanent

exhibits. By 1961, there were displays about North Carolina's setdement, the pre-Revolutionary

War history of the area, and the Batde of Moores Creek Bridge and its aftermath. The displays

featured period artifacts of various ethnic groups in colonial North Carolina, including the Scottish

Highlanders. An experimental electric campaign map was set up; a diorama was planned for

installation in 1 962. During this same time, several area residents urged the park to display a chair

associated with Mary Slocumb in the visitor center museum. Superintendent Ford opposed the

display in an effort to distance the park from the legend of Slocumb's ride. To support Ford's

position, Park Historian S. Michael Hubbell conducted historical research that essentially discredited

the Slocumb story. In addition to displays, the Eastern National Park and Monument Association soon established a sales area in the visitor center, beginning its involvement in what would become

a number of park endeavors in the ensuing decades. The museum was supplemented by new

wayside exhibits on the battleground and an audio station at the bridge site. The interpretive

program was now far more comprehensive that at any previous time.7

Additions to the interpretive program continued to be made throughout the remainder of the

1960s. In 1966, the park initiated year-round use of its audio program, which had been relocated

to the visitor center for four months of the year. The MCBA assisted by printing one-page handouts.

Roving personal interpretation was sometimes offered, but limited staffing usually hampered this

service. In fact, visitor center hours, picnic area availability, and the number of talks offered were

reduced due to staff limitations in 1967. 8

New Interpretive Directions After Mission 66

Interpretive Planning

The 1969 Moores Creek NMP Master Plan outlined the themes and direction of the park's

interpretive program. The themes were defined as the clash of loyalties and cultural backgrounds

that created factions ready for batde, the military campaign and troop movements that led to and

included the battle, and the results of the battle. The causes and results of the battle were to be

presented in the visitor center, while the battle itself was to be interpreted on the battieground.9

In addition to the guidelines of the master plan, Regional Interpretive Specialist Donald Robinson

made recommendations following his visit to the park in 1 970. He suggested that the park prepare

a historical handbook, clear the area along the creek between the two cannon and the bridge,

replace the audio station at the cannon position, and seek additional permanent staff positions. 10 A long-range interpretive planning session took place in August 1997 with John Beck from the

Southeast Support Office serving as meeting facilitator and plan author. The resulting plan called

for adaptive reuse of the old restrooms to enlarge the visitor center museum, new exhibits, a new

audiovisual presentation, and most significandy, planking on the reconstructed bridge crossing

Moores Creek. Since it has long been accepted that the exact bridge design will probably never be

known, it was determined that the bridge is most effectively interpreted with a wayside exhibit,

while the battle story is interpreted best when visitors can retrace the Loyalist march across the

bridge.11
40 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

The American Revolution Bicentennial

In 1 972, plans to renovate the visitor center took shape in preparation for the American Revolution

Bicentennial. Completed in 1 974, the remodeled visitor center featured a new thirteen-panel display, an audiovisual slide program, a diorama, and a collection of restored period weapons. The new

exhibits emphasized the background of the colonial era, events leading up to the battle, the batde

and its aftermath, and period weapons and equipment. Other preparations included various projects

in cooperation with the North Carolina and Pender County Bicentennial Committees, the MCBA,

the Pender County Historical Society, and the Pender County Centennial Committee. One project was a slide program developed by park staff and presented off-site to civic and church groups. This

program highlighted NPS Bicentennial activities with special emphasis on parks set aside as Bicentennial showcases.12

Living History

One way in which the NPS broadened its interpretive focus after Mission 66 was through living

history. Although critics charge that living history sanitizes the past, especially at battlefields,

supporters view it as a valuable technique to increase visitor interest and make history more tangible.

Living history interpretation in the NPS began with weapon firing demonstrations at Chickamauga

and Chattanooga NMP and Antietam NB in 1961. The first military living history demonstrations

by interpreters in period costume occurred at Fort Davis NHS in 1965. With the strong backing of

NPS Director George B. Hartzog, Jr., living history programs became a standard part of interpretation

at national battlefields and other historical parks during the late 1960s and early 1970s. By 1974, over one hundred national parks had initiated living history programs, including Moores Creek. 13

Moores Creek's first living history program began in 1 972 and included an interpreter dressed

in a Patriot uniform at a simulated camp on summer weekends. At other times during the year, weapon demonstrations were conducted. Although rather basic, the living history program was

successful in generating visitor interest. In 1973, the program was expanded with the addition of a

Scottish Highlander component. Interpreters dressed in period costume walked the battleground

playing bagpipes and demonstrating battle-period weapons. Patriot interpreters demonstrated the use of the Brown Bess musket. The program also added the North Carolina Minuteman, a costumed

interpreter that visited schools in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Duplin, and Onslow Counties.

At the park, costumed interpreters staged military camp scenes and demonstrations. Interpreters

received training at a "military arts camp of instruction" that was first held in 1974. During the

1980s and 1990s, the park continued its summer living history programs and expanded its outreach

programs to local schools and community groups.

14

Environmental Education

During the 1960s, NPS interpretive policies were also directed towards environmental education.

Environmental issues received significant national attention with the passage of several landmark

bills, including the 1969 National Environmental Policy Act. Under the leadership of Director

Hartzog, NPS policy leaders showed increasing interest in developing study areas at parks to educate

the public on the environment. Between 1968 and 1975, the NPS created an office of environmental

education at the Washington headquarters, developed environmental study areas at eighty parks,

and initiated environmental programs for schools. 10
Chapter Four: Interpretation and Visitor Services 41

Figure 1 6. Military living history reenactors at Moores Creek, 1 998

By 1'972, environmental education became a priority at Moores Creek. That year park staff contacted the Pender County school system and other organizations about the possibility of a cooperative venture. In addition, the park prepared a handbook and guide for teachers who wished

to take advantage of the environmental study area and trail that were developed in the park.

Representatives from the NPS, the Pender Academy, and the Soil Conservation Service formed a

steering committee to develop a workshop designed for teachers. The stated purpose was to develop

environmental awareness among students through outdoor classrooms. 16 In addition, the park began

showing a variety of films on the environment, national parks, natural resources, and related subjects

in Patriots Hall on Thursday and Saturday evenings. Reserved exclusively for local residents, this program proved to be quite popular. 17 However, momentum slowed as the approaching Bicentennial

shifted attention away from environmental education to historical interpretation in time for the

1976 celebration.

In an effort to combine historical and environmental interpretation, Park Historian Terry Maze

prepared a conceptual plan for the Tarheel Trail in 1981. King had first proposed a nature trail in

1939, but the idea was slow to develop until construction of a trail finally took place in 1975.

Originally called the Colonial Nature Trail, it consisted of a hard surface of soil cement just over one quarter of a mile looping through the wooded area at the southeast corner of the park. Maze

renewed King's idea to use this trail to tell the story of the naval stores industry and its significant

role in the history of the region. The wayside exhibit plan was completed in 1979, and three years

later, a contract was awarded to Miles Higgins of Wilmington to produce eighteen line drawings
42 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

for use on the thirteen trail waysides. Installed in 1982, the exhibits were designed by Permaloy

Systems of Salt Lake City, Utah. 18

By the early 1980s, the environmental education focus within the NPS had lost momentum.

The notion of historical parks educating the public on environmental issues rather than focusing on history was always controversial within the agency. By the early 1980s, NPS Director Russell E. Dickenson was steering the service's interpretive programs away from environmental education,

especially at the historical parks. 19

New Interpretive Programs and Facilities

While the environmental education emphasis faded, Moores Creek continued outreach efforts for

school children. Between 1 978 and 1 980, the park developed a well-planned program with eighteenthcentury games that acquainted students with the hardships of colonial life. By taking advantage of

authority to fund the transportation of school children, the park was able to arrange field trips for

750 students in 1 980. During the same year, the park prepared a children's brochure and distributed

forty-eight hundred copies to local teachers to assist them with preparing for park visits.

20

Other additions were made to the interpretive program during the 1980s. In 1982, two manikins, one dressed as a Patriot and the other a Loyalist, were put on display in the visitor center museum.

The following year, two interpretive signs were installed along the History Trail. One sign was

placed next to the Stage Road Monument; the other sign interpreted the partially reconstructed

earthworks. In 1986, the interpretive budget suffered a large cut, but the staff still managed to double the number of programs offered. Financed through a cooperative venture with eleven

organizations, the staff was able to produce a historical handbook as a sales item that year.

21

In 1989, the west side of Moores Creek was opened to visitors after construction of a 315-foot

boardwalk and eighty-foot bridge. Both projects were recommended in the 1969 master plan and

the 1972 DCR Completed in eleven days, the boardwalk was a volunteer project of Fort Bragg's

37th Engineer Brigade, which donated all the labor. Utilizing fee enhancement funds, the park

added two wayside exhibits with information about the area's natural history.22

With help from the MCBA, off-site rack cards were printed and distributed to welcome centers and tourist attractions within a 1 50-mile radius of the park. In 1 992, a television and video cassette

player with closed caption capabilities were purchased to show video programs in the visitor center. Two years later, the park began showing its new video, The Battle of Moores Creek. This program

proved to be an excellent orientation to the park and its historical significance.23

In 1 996, park staff authored two new interpretive brochures, one about naval stores and the

other concerning the Halifax Resolves. A new teacher's guide was developed with some assistance

from Pender County schools. Replacement of the History Trail wayside exhibits began in 1998

with Paul Singer Design of New York City as the contractor. The plan included eleven new exhibits.

A design study was also undertaken in that same year to evaluate structural and architectural

changes needed to adaptively reuse the old restroom area as part of the visitor center museum. An

architect from the Denver Service Center and an exhibit planner from the Harpers Ferry Center

produced a design and production cost estimate.24
Chapter Four: Interpretation and Visitor Services 43

Notes

1 Historian's Annual Report, 1936; Annual Reports, 1936, 1937; Monthly Reports, April, July-August 1936.

2 Annual Report, 1937; Monthly Reports, March 1 937, May 1 939; Superintendent to Coordinating Superintendent, November

29, 1938, Historical Papers, Vol. 2.

3 Superintendent to Director, November 29, 1 939, MAR, Box 1 04.

4 Annual Reports, 1940-1941; Monthly Reports, March, May-June 1940; Superintendent to Coordinating Superintendent,

May 7, 1 940, MAR, Box 1 04; Coordinating Superintendent to Superintendent, May 1 0, 1 940, MAR, Box 1 04; Superintendent

to Director, December 9, 1 940, MAR, Box 1 04; Museum Prospectus, 1 949, HistoricalPapers, Vol. 5.

5 Prospectus for Visitor Center, 1953, Historical Papers, Vol. 6.

6 Monthly Reports, March-April 1954; Annual Reports, Information and Interpretive Services, 1957-1958.

7 Annual Report, Information and Interpretive Services, 1 961 ; Regional Chief of Interpretation to Superintendent, February

15, 1961, Historical Papers, Vol. 8; S. Michael Hubbell, Mary Slocumb's Ride to the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge (National Park

Service, 1962), 1-32; Superintendent to Regional Director, November 28, 1961, attached to Hubbell, Mary Slocumb's Ride; Eastern National Park and Monument Association Report, 1 971 , Park Files.

8 Annual Reports, Information and Interpretive Services, 1966-1968; "Curtailment of Visitor Services at Moores Creek,"

Pender Chronicle, November 6, 1968, Historical Papers, Vol. 10.

" Master Plan, 10.

10 Interpretive Specialist to Regional Director, June 1 , 1 970, Historical Papers, Vol. 1 1

.

11 Childress, July 22, 1998; Annual Report, 1997.

12 Annual Reports, 1974, 1976; "Moores Creek Museum Reopens," Pender Post, March 27, 1974, Historical Papers, Vol. 12.

13 Barry Mackintosh, Interpretation in the National Park Service: A Historical Perspective (Washington: National Park Service,

1986), 54-67.

14 Annual Reports, 1972-1975, 1990-1993; "4th Dimensional History Program at National Park," Pender Chronicle, August 9, 1972, Historical Papers, Vol. 1 1

.

15 Mackintosh, Interpretation, 67-72.

16 Environmental Specialist to Chief, Operations Evaluation, June 16, 1971, Historical Papers,Yol. 1 1 ; Annual Report, 1972;

Press Releases, August 1972, Historical Papers, Vol. 11.

17 Annual Reports, 1974, 1975.
44 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

18 Annual Reports, 1 978, 1981; Superintendent to Chief, Interpretation, Southeast Region, November 3, 1 978, Park Files;

Tarheel Trail Completion Report, May 24, 1 982, Park Files.

19 Mackintosh, Interpretation, 67-72.

20 Annual Report, 1980.

21 Annual Reports, 1982-1983, 1986.

22 Annual Report, 1 989; Tarheel Trail Completion Report, May 24, 1 982, Park Files.

23 Annual Reports, 1990-1993.

24 Childress, July 22, 1 998; Annual Report, 1 997.
CHAPTER FIVE

RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION AT

MOORES CREEK

Cultural Resources Management

Through the years, the diverse cultural resources of Moores Creek have undergone various levels of documentation, preservation, and restoration. The park's physical size belies its abundance of

cultural resources. Historic structures and features at the park include the partially reconstructed

Negro Head Point Road causeway and earthworks, the six monuments erected between 1 857 and

1931, the headstones at the graves of Mary and Ezekiel Slocumb, and two property boundary

markers placed by the MCMA. In addition, the park contains nine known archeological features,

including the battlefield, the savannah, the historic bridge site, the Negro Head Point Road site,

the site of the earthworks, four tar kiln sites of unknown date, and the remains of a twentiethcentury structure.

1 The most complex resource is the landscape, which has evolved from the swampy

1776 battle setting to a commemorative park setting. Each of these cultural resources continues to present new challenges to park managers.

2

Like all NPS units, Moores Creek was listed on the National Register of Historic Places with

enactment of the National Historic Preservation Act on October 15, 1966.3 However, no formal

National Register documentation was completed for over a decade. Prepared by Superintendent

Raymond L. Ives between 1975 and 1976, official National Register documentation for the park was approved by the keeper of the register in November 1977. Ives's documentation identified the

earthworks, the historic road causeway, and the six monuments as contributing elements to the

park's significance. 4 In February 1987, the NPS approved a boundary increase written by

Superintendent Boyles the previous year. This action extended the boundary identified in the

National Register documentation to include lands acquired by the park between 1974 and 1982. 5

Another amendment to the National Register listing was approved in June 1996. In an attempt to

clearly delineate significant park resources, this amendment, prepared by the Southeast Support

Office, cited the two MCMA boundary markers as contributing elements to the park. The amendment

designated the earthworks as noncontributing since they constitute neither the original earthworks nor a full reconstruction. However, because the ground beneath the earthworks may contain

45
46 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

significant archeological data, the amendment cited the location of the earthworks as contributing

for archeological potential. In essence, the amendment argued for the integrity of the site as a commemorative landscape rather than as an actual Revolutionary War battlefield landscape.6

In addition to listing on the National Register, the park's historic structures were documented

through the List of Classified Structures (LCS) program, an NPS survey and inventory that

documents National Register-eligible resources in the parks. The LCS for Moores Creek was originally

conducted in 1975 by Southeast Regional Office staff and included the earthworks, the Negro

Head Point Road causeway, and the six monuments. An updating of the LCS by Southeast Regional

Office staff in 1 995 added the Slocumb headstones and the MCMA boundary markers.7

Although not initially considered cultural resources, the monuments erected at the battleground were eventually given that recognition. Consequently, their preservation was acknowledged as a

legitimate management responsibility, and this prompted the park to arrange for a background

study of the monuments in 1989. Conducted by an intern from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, this study provided comprehensive information on each monument, including original

appearances and locations, and historical information on adjoining fences and plantings.8 In 1993,

historical architects from the Southeast Regional Office were invited to inspect the monuments

and recommend proper maintenance actions. As a result of this effort, the monuments were

subsequently cleaned using appropriate methods and procedures were devised for quarterly

inspections and yearly cleanings.9 In 1995, based on the monuments background study, the park

restored the Patriot Monument to its original appearance by reinstalling the ornamental iron fencing

and decorative plantings. In some ways, the park's management philosophy with regard to the

monuments had come full circle. After being erected as part of a commemorative landscape, the

monuments came to be seen as intrusions when the park removed the surrounding fencing and

plantings during the 1 930s and 1 940s. By the 1 990s, the park began viewing the monuments and

their surroundings as significant in their own right and as important components of the

commemorative history of the battleground. 10

Archeology at the park has occurred sporadically through the years. Initial work was conducted

by NPS Archeologist Thor Borresen during King's attempt to restore the earthworks in the 1 930s.

Borresen was largely successful in determining the original dimensions of the earthworks, thereby

providing valuable information for any earthworks reconstruction attempts. In August 1958, a metal detector survey of the entire park was conducted by John W Griffin. Since only a few

eighteenth-century artifacts were found, Griffin recommended dredging Moores Creek in an effort

to find additional artifacts. However, the park never acted on his suggestion. In 1 973, John W.

Walker of the Southeast Archeological Center (SEAC) performed a pedestrian survey of the area where Highway 210 was to be relocated. Two years later, he opened the cornerstone of the Patriot

Monument. In 1 974, Timothy Thompson of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

investigated the earthworks, but found no eighteenth-century artifacts. During the same year, an

archeological team from the same agency planned an underwater survey of the creek at the historic

bridge site, but the survey was canceled due to equipment problems.11

During the 1980s, archeological investigations at Moores Creek were undertaken to provide

information on the historic bridge in preparation for the bridge's reconstruction. A survey of the

creek using magnetometric remote sensing to locate bridge remains was performed in 1983 by a team led by David M. Brewer of SEAC. The survey was unsuccessful in discovering any remains

from the 1776 bridge, although remains from the 1931 bridge were found. In 1984, further
Chapter Five: Resources Management and Protection at Moores Creek 47

Figure 1 7. An archeological investigation at Moores Creek

during the 1970s

archeological surveys, performed by Greg Komara, Travis Gray, and Alan Cooper, investigated

the west bank of Moores Creek, a tar kiln site on newly acquired property, and the part of the

historic causeway where Highway 210 was to be relocated. However, results of the survey were

inconclusive. Three years later, the park again tried unsuccessfully to find remains of the historic

bridge with Tom Hargrove's archeological survey

12

During the summer of 1994, a team of SEAC archeologists led by John Cornelison and Brewer

undertook the first archeological survey that included all NPS property at the park. The primary

goal was to discover new information on the 1776 battle scene—a goal that the archeologists

achieved with several important findings. In addition to revealing the height of the battle-period

earthworks, the investigation confirmed that eighty percent of the partially reconstructed earthworks

matched the location of the original earthworks. Remains of a campfire built on the eve of the

battle were located near the earthworks. The team dug a trench through the historic road causeway

in order to trace its evolution over time. Besides new information on the battle scene and landscape

changes, the survey located a number of artifacts, including a musket ball, a metal box, and nails. 13

Cultural landscape management at the park has often been directed at the accomplishment of

more than one goal. Many of the planting efforts under natural resources management have been

undertaken to restore the batde-period appearance of the site's cultural landscape. The earliest example of such efforts was when the NPS began removing the MCMA's exotic plantings around
48 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

the monuments and along the park roads during the 1 930s. Native trees and shrubs were planted in

their place. In 1 972, the fields of fire between the two cannon and the bridge site were cleared of

brush and other screening vegetation in the belief that this would have been done in preparation

for the battle. These efforts were undertaken without a comprehensive plan for cultural landscape

restoration and management.14

In 1985, the park contracted for the first comprehensive study to compare and contrast the

historic plant community patterns with the park's current natural features. The study recommended

establishing the original creek channel configuration to restore wetland communities, continuing

maintenance of the savannah area around the earthworks, allowing the revegetation of the pine

ridge behind the earthworks, and planting long leaf pines throughout the open meadow east of the

park entrance. 15 The park took several steps to implement the recommendations of the study,

beginning with the planting of hundreds of long leaf pines in 1985, 1991, 1993, and 1996. In

accordance with the recommendation to maintain the savannah, the park began an annual prescribed

burn program in 1988. As part of this program, the savannah was burned in an attempt to reduce

blackberry and tree growth. Although this effort was largely successful, it was unable to restore the

historic wetlands setting due to decades of drainage activities at the park. In addition, the two

wooded acres around the Tarheel Trail were burned annually to reduce fuels and ticks. 16

In 1994, Moores Creek undertook a Cultural Landscape Inventory (CLI), a relatively new NPS

management emphasis that emerged during the 1990s with a focus on park historic landscapes.

The three-stage CLI process included an inventory of current conditions and recommendations for

alterations to restore landscapes to their historic appearance. Darrel Morrison, a landscape architect

from the University of Georgia, conducted the field work and compiled a draft CLI for the first

level of the program. In 1997, this draft was revised and finalized by staff from the Southeast

Support Office. The CLI briefly outlined the historic vegetation patterns and divided the park into

five zones, including swamp woodlands, transitional wetlands, savannah, upland pine woodlands,

and open meadows and maintained facility areas. Morrison recommended the restoration of the

savannah since drainage efforts had decreased its natural and historic wetness. In coordination

with the NPS Water Resources Division, the park began a hydrologic study of the savannah by

installing monitoring wells during the summer of 1 996. The purpose of this study was to determine

the feasibility of restoring the wetness of the savannah area. In addition, the park received funding

in 1 997 for a cultural landscape report to address cultural landscape management recommendations

in more detail. 17

In 1 994, the park prepared a resources management plan to provide a unified, cohesive approach

to the management of it's varied cultural resources. The plan identified fundamental needs of the

program and recommended projects necessary to achieve and maintain the park's ultimate

preservation objectives. Among the plan's priorities were the continued preservation of the

earthworks, the preparation of a historic landscape management plan, the development of a preservation maintenance plan for the monuments, and the completion of an archeological survey

and base map for the entire park acreage.

18 As part of the 1997 GPRA strategic planning process,

the park envisioned eventually restoring six disturbed acres, including the former Highway 210

roadbed and the Tarheel Trail. 19
Chapter Five: Resources Management and Protection at Moores Creek 49

Figure 1 8. Much of the cultural and natural resources management at Moores Creek has dealt with restoring the park to its battle-period appearance by removing the commemorative landscape installed by the MCMA as seen in this circa 1935 view

of the Heroic Women Monument.

Natural Resources Management

Although Moores Creek NMP was established in 1 926 for its historical significance, the management

of the park's natural resources has long been an important concern of the NPS. Early park staff documented the flora and fauna of the site along with gathering information on the park's historical

significance. In 1936, nine varieties of oak trees, two of cypress, two of hickory, two of pine, and

three of gum were identified. During the same year, the venus flytrap was first reported as being

present in the park. Although this plant was not native to the park, it was known to grow in the

area. Other plants identified were the Carolina maple, holly, persimmon, wild olive, sassafras,

sycamore, willow, white ash, dogwood, huckleberry, spider lily, pitcher plant, butterwort, and swamp

orchid.20

Early attempts to protect the park's flora from insect infestation usually consisted of spraying.

Lead arsenate was used to combat walnut caterpillars that infested oak and hickory trees. For trees with webworms, affected branches were cut and burned. In addition, fire was sometimes employed

to combat destructive insects.21 In the 1 930s, wildlife in the park consisted of squirrels, wild turkeys,

quail, and an occasional bear. By 1 938, fifty bird species had been identified. Prohibitions against

hunting within park boundaries allowed the battleground to become a bird sanctuary.22

In addition to naturally occurring plants, park staff undertook a reforestation effort in 1 937,

resulting in the planting often juniper, eight red cedar, ten dogwood, ten long leaf pine, six Christmas

holly, six yellow poplar, and fifteen flowering ash trees. Although there was no plan or design for

this planting, care was taken to place each variety in its natural environment. The regional associate
50 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

wildlife technician suggested further planting of trees and shrubs to encourage birds and animals

to move into the park. To further promote reforestation, park staff decided to reduce mowing of

the batdeground, except around buildings, monuments, road shoulders, the picnic area, and the

earthworks.23 Due to the park's forested nature, fire protection played an important part in the

natural resources management program during the 1930s. A fire lane was cut and maintained along

the park's perimeter to protect against outside fires. Fires that happened to jump the lane or the

creek were quickly suppressed.24

Numerous studies have been conducted through the years to document the number and types

of flora and fauna in the park. Between 1937 and 1938, a wildlife study and a bird checklist were

completed. In 1940, a similar checklist was prepared for flowering plants. The following year, the

park superintendent reported that 275 species of flora other than trees and over fifty varieties of

trees had been identified. Documentation efforts continued sporadically until 1982 when Dr. David

Sieren, a professor in the botany department of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington,

completed the first comprehensive floristic study of the park's vascular plants. Dr. Sieren identified

108 families, 297 genera, and 539 species.25

Until more recently, attempts to restore the park's natural environment to some resemblance

of its historic appearance lacked a coherent approach. In some cases, new plantings were designed

to accomplish a management objective rather than to restore the historic scene. In 1957 for example, one hundred southern pine seedlings were planted to mark the park boundary in the vicinity of the

old picnic grounds. In 1972, the regional resources management specialist recommended the use of low growing native thorny plants to control traffic that drifted off of established trails. Areas

without grass were routinely seeded to improve their appearance or to facilitate erosion control. As

previously mentioned, management of the park's natural resources in the context of cultural

landscape considerations became a major planning objective during the 1980s and 1990s.26

In 1997, the NPS Water Resources Division finished a water quality analysis for the creek, and

the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission completed a study revealing that no threatened

or endangered mussels inhabited Moores Creek. Later that year, the park set a five-year strategic

planning goal to increase the natural resources inventor)' by five percent with the addition of an

aquatic wildlife survey.

27

Law Enforcement

Due primarily to Moores Creek's rural setting, law enforcement activity has never been a major

issue at the park. Most incidents during the first four decades of NPS management concerned

drunk drivers, speeding violators, minor vandalism, and hunting violations. Most incidents were

handled with verbal warnings until an incident reporting system was established in 1 972.28 By the

1970s, increased visitation mandated upgrades to the park's law enforcement program. In 1974,

equipment was purchased to bring the park up to minimum standards. Two years later, the park

hired its first full-time law enforcement ranger. In September 1976, the law enforcement ranger

assisted members of the U.S. Customs Service, local narcotics officers, and personnel from two

county sheriff's departments with a marijuana arrest in the park.29

Despite an occasional incident, law enforcement was a minor concern at Moores Creek during

the 1970s. Enforcement consisted mainly of patrolling abandoned buildings on newly acquired

property and occasionally uncovering marijuana plants for eradication. Consequendy, the law
Chapter Five: Resources Management and Protection at Moores Creek 5

1

enforcement position was reclassified as a park technician position in 1 979. Without a commissioned

ranger on staff, employees who lived on site were responsible for building security and grounds

patrol. In addition, an alarm system was installed in the visitor center in 1981.30

During the 1 980s, incidents of vandalism began to increase at the park. As a result, the park

installed additional signs prohibiting illegal activities. In July 1984, concurrent jurisdiction with

state and local law enforcement authorities became effective. Since that date, the Pender County

Sheriff's Department has assisted in the protection of park resources.

31

Further improvements in law enforcement and safety measures occurred during the 1990s. In

1991, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the park and the Atkinson Volunteer

Fire Department for structural fire fighting support within the park and wildfire suppression both

within the park and on adjacent lands. In addition, a chain-link fence was erected along portions of

the western boundary in 1996 to prevent casual entry from the old Highway 210 remnant outside

the park.32

Notes

1 GPRA, 5.

2 Moores Creek National Battlefield, Statementfor-Management (National Park Service, 1994), 1-22.

3 National Register of Historic Places TELNET database [http://www.nr.nps.gov/nrishome.htm], October 1997.

4 Raymond L. Ives, Moores Creek NationalMilitary Park, National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form

for Federal Properties, National Register Files, Cultural Resources Stewardship Division, Southeast Regional Office, National

Park Service, Adanta; National Register of Historic Places TELNET database [http://www.nr.nps.gov/nrishome.htrn],

October 1997.

5 Fred Boyles, Moores Creek NationalBattlefield, National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form for Federal

Properties, National Register Files; National Register of Historic Places TELNET database [http://www.nr.nps.gov/

nrishome.htm], October 1997.

6 Robert W. Blythe, Moores Creek National Battlefield, National Register of Historic Places Amendment, National Register

Files; National Register of Historic Places TELNET database [http://www.nr.nps.gov/nrishome.htm], October 1 997.

7 List of Classified Structures Files, Cultural Resources Stewardship Division, Southeast Regional Office, National Park

Service, Atlanta.

8 Annual Report, 1989; Jamie Blankenship, Background Study of Fences and Monuments at Moores Creek NB (National Park

Service, 1989), 1-13.

9 Southeast Regional Office, National Park Service, Completion Report, Moores Creek NationalBattlefield, Cleaning andPreservation

of SixMonuments (Atlanta: National Park Service, 1993), 1-10.
52 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

10 Assessment of Actions Having an Effect on Cultural Resources, MOCR 91-01, Section 106 Files, Cultural Resources

Stewardship Division, Southeast Regional Office, National Park Service, Atlanta; Darrel Morrison and Lucy Lawliss, Cultural Landscape Inventory, Moores Creek National Battlefield (National Park Service, 1 997), 1 5, Cultural Landscape Inventory

Files, Cultural Resources Stewardship Division, Southeast Regional Office, National Park Service, Adanta.

'

' Thor Borresen, Report on Inspection ofEarthwork Restoration and Repair, 1 940; Annual Reports, 1938, 1 974.

12 David M. Brewer, Report on an Underwater Archeological Survey and Testing of Moores Creek National Battlefield (Tallahassee,

Florida: Southeast Archeological Center, 1983), 1-13; Annual Reports, 1984, 1987.

13 Patrick Thomas, "Archaeologists make key finds at Moores Creek," Pender Post,)\Ay 20, 1994, 1.

14 Monthly Report, September 1942; Annual Report, 1972.

13 Gerald R. McCrain and Barbara H. Church, AnAnalysis of Past andPresent Plant Community Patterns in Moores Creek National

Battlefield (Resource Management Company, 1985), 42-47.

16 Annual Reports, 1 985, 1 989, 1 99 1

, 1 993.

17 Morrison, 1-25; Chief, Cultural Resources, Southeast Support Office, to Superintendent, March 21, 1997, Cultural Landscape

Inventory Files; Superintendent to Chief, Cultural Resources, Southeast Support Office, June 12, 1 997, Cultural Landscape

Inventory Files.

18 Statementfor Management, 1-22.

19 GPRA, 3-5.

20 Monthly Reports, April-May, October-November 1936; Superintendent to Coordinating Superintendent, February 8, 1945, MAR, Box 103.

21 Superintendent to Director, October 29, 1 937, Historical Papers, Vol. 2; Monthly Reports, June, August-September 1 937.

22 Annual Reports, 1938, 1942; Monthly Report, September 1941.

23 Annual Report, 1937; OB. Taylor, Associate Wildlife Technician, to Coordinating Superintendent, August 19, 1937,

MAR, Box 103; Monthly Report, November 1937; Coordinating Superintendent to Regional Director, May 23, 1944, MAR,

Box 104.

24 Monthly Reports, May, October 1 937;June 1 938; February 1951.

25 Annual Reports, 1939-1941, 1980, 1982.

26 Monthly Report, December 1957; Annual Reports, 1965, 1974-1975; Resource Management Specialist to Regional Director, June 5, 1972, Historical Papers,Vo\. 11.

27 Water Resources Division, Baseline WaterQuality Data Inventory andAnalysis, Moores Creek NationalBattlefield (Washington:

National Park Service, 1997), v-vii; GPRA, 6.
Chapter Five: Resources Management and Protection at Moores Creek 53

28 Monthly Reports, May, November 1937; February, July, November 1951; November 1953; April 1956; December 1957; September 1968; February 1969; Annual Report, 1972.

29 Annual Reports, 1973-1976.

30 Annual Reports, 1978-1979, 1981-1982.

31 Annual Report, 1984; Childress, July 22, 1998.

32 Annual Report, 1991; Childress, July 22, 1998.

CONCLUSION

At the bridge across Moores Creek on February 27, 1 776, Patriot militia defeated a Loyalist army

marching to rendezvous with a British fleet on the coast of North Carolina. This early Patriot

victory in the southern colonies helped delay a full-scale British invasion of the region for several

years. Recognizing the significance of the battleground, the local community initiated the

commemorative history of the site in 1856 with an anniversary celebration and a monument drive.

In 1897, the State of North Carolina purchased the site and created the Moores Creek Monumental

Association as a private organization to develop and maintain the battleground as a public park.

Federal involvement began in 1 926 with the creation of the Moores Creek National Military Park.

After a brief time of management by the War Department, the NPS took over the battlefield in

1933.

During its sixty-five years of management at Moores Creek NB, the NPS has dramatically

transformed the park while confronting a number of complex challenges. Management issues of

the past—expansion, facility upgrades, resource protection, landscape restoration, reconstruction

policy, limited funding and staffing, and competition for diminishing agency resources—will

undoubtedly resurface in the future. With the emergence of new challenges, such as the growing

diversification of the American public, development and land use pressures, and changes in park

operating funds, managers at Moores Creek NB may look increasingly to decisions of the past in

order to formulate creative solutions for the future. It is hoped that the research presented in this

report, and the context in which it has been presented, will help guide the management of Moores

Creek NB for many years to come.

55

Appendix One

A Chronology for Moores Creek NMP/NB

1776 On February 27, a force of eleven hundred Patriots defeated a force of sixteen

hundred Highlander Loyalists in the Batde of Moores Creek Bridge.

1791 The land encompassing the Moores Creek batdeground was granted by patent to John Jones, the first private owner of the site.

1856 The Fayetteville Observer printed an article deploring the Moores Creek battieground's

neglect. Inspired by the article, a group of local citizens resolved to hold an

anniversary observance at the batdeground on February 27.

1857 On January 10, committees were appointed for New Hanover, Duplin, Lenoir,

Wayne, Cumberland, Bladen, Columbus, and Brunswick Counties to solicit funds

for a monument to the Patriots who fought in the batde. By the time of the second

anniversary celebration on February 27, enough money had been raised to lay the

Patriot Monument's cornerstone.

1897 The North Carolina General Assembly authorized the purchase of no more than

twenty acres to be set aside as a public park in commemoration of the batde.

1899 The General Assembly incorporated the MCMA on March 7 to administer the park

at the batdeground.

At its first meeting on July 4, the MCMA made plans for a picnic and celebration on

August 1 7 and elected James F. Moore as its first president. A board of directors was empowered to clear the grounds and build a pavilion.

1904 Use of the historic Negro Head Point Road and Moores Creek Bridge was

discontinued when the road was straightened and a new bridge was built upstream.

1905 The General Assembly approved an appropriation to keep the grounds cleared and

erect a lodge to protect visitors from the weather.

1907 The General Assembly granted the MCMA the power to preserve order and protect

persons and property. The General Assembly also appropriated funds to preserve,

improve, protect, and enlarge the batdeground.

57
58 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

The Heroic Women of the Lower Cape Fear Monument, or Slocumb Monument,

was erected.

1909 The Loyalist Monument was erected.

1911 The Stage Road Monument was erected.

1913 A monument was erected to the memory of the association's first president, James

F. Moore, who had died in 1912.

1925 The General Assembly authorized the donation of the battleground to the federal

government for use as a national military park.

1926 On June 2, President Calvin Coolidge signed into law a bill establishing Moores

Creek NMP. The deed to the property was conveyed to the United States on July 8; the War Department officially accepted responsibility for operating the park on

August 23. George J. Moore, the second president of the MCMA, was appointed

the first federal superintendent.

1928 Charles P. Moore was hired as caretaker for an annual salary and lodging.

1929 At the urging of the DAR, the bodies of Maty and Ezekiel Slocumb were moved

from Mount Olive, North Carolina, to a new grave site at the base of the Heroic

Women Monument. The reburial took place on September 20.

1931 The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge Monument was erected with a text prepared by

the Historical Section of the Army War College. In addition, a reconstructed bridge was built at the historic creek crossing.

1932 The War Department installed new entrance gates.

1933 Moores Creek NMP was transferred from the War Department to the NPS within

the Department of the Interior.

1935 Superintendent Moore retired. Charles P. Moore continued as caretaker and the

park's only staff member.

1936 On December 1, Clyde B. King was appointed park superintendent.
Appendix One: A Chronology for Moores Creek NMP/NB 59

1937 The park undertook its first extensive education program. King personally took

charge of the program and gave 167 lectures to 15,825 grade school and high school

students and teachers.

A wildlife study was conducted.

1938 King completed the park's first master plan. He conducted a survey to identify

those lands adjacent to the park that were desirable for inclusion; thirty-five acres were specified as being the minimum necessary for full development of the park.

The park staff began compiling a bird checklist; fifty varieties of birds were identified.

1939 On December 13, King began repair of disturbed sections of the earthworks. He

removed soil which had accumulated in the ditch and placed it in depressions in

the earthworks caused by a park road.

The park submitted a museum plan to the regional office in May. It featured exhibits

about the Moores Creek campaign, the Revolutionary War in the South, the natural

features of the park, and other national park areas.

King enclosed the old dance pavilion and used the structure as a temporary museum.

In May, the first exhibit, a map of the battie campaign, was placed on display.

1940 In June, the park prepared and printed its first information folder.

On October 28, the park began receiving electric power from the Tide Water Power

Company of Wilmington.

The park staff prepared a checklist for flowering plants in the park.

1941 The superintendent reported that 275 species of flora other than trees and over

fifty varieties of trees had been identified.

1942 King transferred to the Natchez Trace Parkway. He was replaced by Oswald E.

Camp, who came from Kings Mountain NMP.

1943 On June 19, the park was made available to soldiers from nearby Camp Davis for a day-long outing; 650 people attended. In August, the 225th Searchlight Battalion

visited the park; 550 people attended.

The MCBA sponsored the first Easter service at the park in April.
60 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

On September 27, Congress passed legislation that authorized the acceptance of

donated property to enlarge the park.

1945 The NPS removed the reconstructed bridge built by the War Department in 1931

because it was in danger of collapse.

The State of North Carolina agreed to buy land to enlarge the park.

In September, flooding forced Camp to move out of the superintendent's residence.

1946 The state began paving Highway 602.

1947 The General Assembly appropriated the funds necessary for land acquisition.

1948 The state purchased over twelve acres of land for donation to the park.

1949 Harry D. Goodson succeeded Camp as superintendent.

1950 On November 1 , the paving of Highway 602 was completed, and it was dedicated

as the Moores Creek Batdeground Highway on November 9.

1951 The transfer of the twelve acres from the State of North Carolina to the NPS took

place during the 1 75th anniversary observance of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge.

1952 Highway 602 was renamed Highway 210 in January.

1954 News that Moores Creek NMP was under consideration for possible removal from

the national park system brought strong protests. Because of this opposition, the

proposal was not pursued further by the NPS.

In April, the self-guiding tour trail was laid out.

1956 George C. Blake was appointed superintendent following Goodson's death.

Telephone service was extended to the park.

1957 One thousand southern pine seedlings were planted to mark the park boundary in

the vicinity of the old picnic grounds.
Appendix One: A Chronology for Moores Creek NMP/NB 61

1958 The Mission 66 program at Moores Creek NMP was inaugurated on March 9 when

groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the building program at the park.

In August, archeologist John W. Griffin used a metal detector within the earthworks

and on the causeway in an attempt to locate artifacts for use in museum exhibits.

Six bags of objects were recovered from the earthworks, including two iron fragments,

a small brass or bronze buckle, and a lead fragment. Griffin recommended that the

earthworks be excavated and that the creek be dredged.

1959 By January, the visitor center, an equipment storage building, and two employee

residences had been completed as part of the Mission 66 building program at the

park.

James M. Ford became superintendent in February after Blake transferred to Hot

Springs National Park.

OnJuly 1 , Moores Creek NMP became an independent unit; the park superintendent no longer reported to the coordinating superintendent at Colonial National Fhstorical

Park.

1961 The first permanent exhibits were installed in the new visitor center. The displays

featured artifacts representing the ethnic groups in North Carolina in 1776 and

hand weapons of the period. The museum displays were supplemented by new

wayside exhibits on the battleground and an audio station at the historic bridge

site.

1962 The diorama was installed in the visitor center on August 7.

1964 Russell A. Gibbs succeeded Ford as superintendent.

1966 Patriots Hall was completed on March 30; it was dedicated on October 23.

1967 Visitor center hours and the number of interpretive programs offered were limited

due to a lack of staff. The picnic area was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

1969 The Moores Creek NMP Master Plan was approved in January.

John R. DeWeese succeeded Gibbs as superintendent.

1972 The DCP for the park was completed. It proposed the relocation of Highway 210

from the center of the park, a new entrance road, and a substantial reorientation of

the park's layout.
62 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

The park began its first living history program. An interpreter, with replica uniform

and equipment, was stationed in a simulated camp that was set up on summer

weekends. The park also initiated an environmental education program and worked

with the Pender Count)' school system and other interested organizations.

A law enforcement incident reporting system was put into place for the first time.

Raymond Ives succeeded DeWeese as superintendent.

1973 The living history program was expanded with the addition of the Loyalist

Highlanders. Interpreters, dressed in period costume, walked the grounds playing

bagpipes and demonstrating Scottish arms.

1974 The Loyalist and Patriot Monuments were relocated as part of the implementation

of the DCP, which called for a new interpretive trail.

On October 26, President Richard Nixon signed Public Law 93-4771, which

authorized boundary changes. This made possible the acquisition of twelve acres west of the creek and twenty-one acres east of the visitor center for the relocation

of Highway 210.

The visitor center was renovated with a thirteen-panel display and an audiovisual

slide program added.

The first "military arts camp of instruction" was held to train the park's living

history interpreters.

The NPS contracted with Timothy Thompson, of the North Carolina Department

of Cultural Resources, to conduct extensive excavations of the earthworks.

1975 The Colonial Nature Trail was constructed. It was 0.28 miles long, hardsurfaced

with soil cement, and looped through the wooded area in the southeast corner of

the park.

1976 The law enforcement position was staffed through the entire year for the first time.

On September 24, the ranger assisted members of the U.S. Customs Sendee, local

narcotics officers, and two county sheriff departments with a marijuana arrest in

the park.
Appendix One: A Chronology for Moores Creek NMP/NB 63

1978 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's district conservationist investigated the causes of erosion of the causeway leading to the historic bridge site and made

recommendations for correction. Most of the alternatives were expensive and carried

some risk that additional damage would be done during implementation. The park

ultimately decided to use rip-rap and additional ground cover to try to slow the

erosion.

John W Stockert succeeded Ives as superintendent.

1980 T.D. Eure Construction Company completed a contract for causeway stabilization on November 21

.

The official name of the park was changed from Moores Creek National Military

Park to Moores Creek National Battlefield on September 8.

1981 Park Historian Terry Maze prepared a conceptual plan for the Tarheel Trail based on King's idea that the trail should be used to tell the story of the naval stores

industry in the region.

An alarm system was installed in the visitor center.

A total of 307 feet of the History Trail was raised by an average of one foot and

soil cementing was done by Carolina Contractors of Wilmington. The section raised

began at the base of the Heroic Women Monument and continued across the

savannah ditch to the Moore Monument.

1982 In condemnation proceedings between March 1 5 and 1 8, a court set the amount of

money due to the owner of the land west of the creek.

Interpretive exhibits were installed along the Tarheel Trail.

Dr. David Sieren of the Botany Department of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington completed the first comprehensive floristic study of the vascular plants

at Moores Creek NB. Dr. Sieren identified 108 families, 297 genera, and 539 species.

1983 SEAC conducted an underwater archeological survey and testing of the creekbed

in order to locate and identify remains of the historic bridge. Remains of the 1931

reconstructed bridge were found, but no traces of the historic bridge were located.
64 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

1984 On July 27, concurrent jurisdiction with state and local law enforcement agencies

became effective. On August 24, Patriots Hall was burglarized. This was only one

of an increasing number of law enforcement incidents.

1985 The park staff planned and developed a program to restore the historic landscape

by planting long leaf pines; one thousand seedlings were planted in accordance

with a historic grounds study.

Fred Boyles succeeded Stockert as superintendent; Stockert transferred to Fort

Donelson NB.

1986 The North Carolina Department of Transportation awarded a contract for the

relocation of Highway 210 to a newly acquired tract of land east of the visitor

center.

The park received funding from the Eastern National Park and Monument

Association to conduct a study of the historic bridge in conjunction with the North

Carolina State Historic Preservation Officer. This study resulted in information

that was later translated into plans for a reconstructed bridge based on a "minimum

of conjecture."

The park's interpretive staff produced a historical handbook as a sales item.

1987 Archeological consultant Tom Hargrove was hired to search, once again, for evidence

of the historic bridge; he found no evidence.

1988 The park began a prescribed burn program in an effort to maintain the savannah.

As part of the program, the savannah was burned annually in an attempt to reduce

blackberry and tree growth.

1989 A 315-foot boardwalk and eighty-foot bridge were constructed to provide access

to the west side of the creek.

A volunteer intern from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington completed

a research report on the monuments at Moores Creek NB. This study documented

the history of each monument and any alterations.

1990 Dusty Shultz succeeded Boyles as superintendent; Boyles transferred to

Andersonville and Jimmy Carter National Historic Sites.
Appendix One: A Chronology for Moores Creek NMP/NB 65

1992 A preservation crew from Cape Hatteras National Seashore began work on the

reconstructed bridge on October 26 and completed it on November 2.

A television and VCR were purchased so that video programs could be shown in

the visitor center.

1993 The park began showing the new video, The Battle of Moores Creek.

In October, Bob Davidson succeeded Shultz as superintendent; Shultz transferred

to Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.

1994 The park's resource management plan was approved.

In June and July, SEAC archeologists conducted an archeological survey of all park

properly and made several important findings.

In August, a new water treatment building was constructed.

Davidson retired as superintendent on December 10. Moores Creek was

subsequently placed under the administration of Fort Sumter National Monument

Superintendent John Tucker.

1995 The ornamental iron fencing around the Patriot Monument was reconstructed.

The picnic shelter was removed and replaced by a new one.

1997 The NPS Water Resources Division completed a water quality analysis for the park

and released the findings in July. In addition, the North Carolina Division of Natural

Resources determined that no threatened or endangered mussels were in Moores

Creek.

The park finalized its strategic plan for the Government Performance and Results

Act of 1993.

1998 Construction of a new restroom just east of the visitor center was completed.

Work was carried out by staff members from the park, Fort Sumter National

Monument, and the Southeast Region.

A long-range interpretive plan was finalized.
66 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

Programs for large groups, especially school and military groups, were moved to

Patriots Hall.

Ann Childress became superintendent in January, reporting to Fort Sumter

Superintendent John Tucker.
Appendix Two

Moores Creek NMP/NB Superintendents

George J. Moore February 6, 1928 to August 10, 1933

Moores Creek NMP was transferredfrom the War Department to the NPS on August 10, 1933.

George J. Moore October 1, 1933 to October 15, 1935

Clyde B. King, acting October 21, 1935 to December 1, 1936

On March 15, 1936, Moores Creek NMP became part of a southern Revolutionary War group managed by

Colonial National Historical Park. Moores Creek NMP's superintendent reported to a coordinating superintendent

under this arrangement. On July 1, 1959, Moores Creek NMP was removed from this group and became an

independent park again. Coordinating superintendents during this time included B. Floyd Flickinger and Jean C

Harrington.

Clyde B. King

Oswald E. Camp

Harry D. Goodson

George C. Blake

James M. Ford

Russell A. Gibbs

December 1, 1936 to January 15, 1942

January 15, 1942 to January 31, 1949

April 11, 1949 to December 17, 1955

April 8, 1956 to March 1, 1959

March 1, 1959 to April 11, 1964

August 2, 1964 to October 31, 1969

John R. DeWeese December 14, 1969 to June 30, 1972

Raymond L. Ives September 1, 1972 to October 22, 1977

John W Stockert January 15, 1978 to February 2, 1985

Frederick H. Boyles May 19, 1985 to November 25, 1989

67
68 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

Dusty Shultz February 11, 1990 to September 18, 1993

Robert E. Davidson October 16, 1993 to December 10, 1994

After Davidson's retirement, Moores Creek NB was placed under the administration of the superintendent at

Fort Sumter National Monument.

John Tucker December 10, 1994 to January 5, 1998

In 1998, Moores Creek wasprovidedfundingfor an on-site superintendent once again, although the park remained

part of the Fort Sumter Group.

Ann Childress January 6, 1998 to Present
Appendix Three

Moores Creek NMP/NB Annual

Visitation Statistics

1926-1935 statistics unavailable

1936 4,187

1937 4,725

1938 6,428

1939 5,008

1940 3,768

1941 4,412

1942 2,700

1943 5,773

1944 3,342

1945 3,501

1946 4,031

1947 3,818

1948 4,974

1949 8,783

1950 12,648

1951 17,545

1952 18,194

1953 18,864

1954 21,737

1955 22,611

1956 26,188

1957 28,093

1958 30,001

1959 31,165

1960 24,440

1961 20,578

1962 25,679

1963 27,052

1964 27,968

1965 31,930

1966 33,832

1967 33,463

1968 35,408

1969 37,535

1970 44,120

1971 52,460

1972 42,241

1973 37,574

1974 42,867

1975 48,954

1976 71,057

1977 56,163

1978 56,976

1979 44,272

1980 41,793

1981 45,054

1982 50,192

1983 39,532

1984 32,715

1985 43,908

1986 45,821

1987 41,026

1988 49,020

1989 46,260

1990 51,640

1991 68,511

1992 64,958

1993 58,215

1994 70,225

1995 57,706

1996 58,516

1997 47,139

69
70 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

Moores Creek Annual Visitation

80,000 T

70,000

60,000

E 50.000 o

"35 >

o 40,000

EZ 30,000

20,000

10.000

|l l |l l

| l l|l t |ll| U | H| U|U|U|

oo — 00 —

Year

Figure 1 9. Visitation trends at Moores Creek, 1 936-1 998
Appendix Four

Acts and Resolutions of the North Carolina General Assembly

An act for the purchase of Moores Creek Battleground

Ratified March 9, 1897

An act to incorporate the Moores Creek Monumental Association

Ratified March 7, 1899

An act to prevent felling of trees in Moores Creek, Pender County

Ratified February 4, 1905

An act to appropriate and consolidate the annual appropriation of the Moores Creek Monumental

Association

Ratified March 2, 1905

An act to empower the Moores Creek Monumental Association to preserve order and to protect

persons and premises

Ratified February 1907

An act to make appropriations for State Institutions

Ratified March 11, 1907

An act to amend Chapter 262 of the Public Laws of 1 907, increasing the annual appropriation to the Moores Creek Battleground Association from $500 to $1,000

Ratified August 23, 1924

An act authorizing the granting of title by the State of North Carolina to Moores Creek Battlefield,

Pender County, North Carolina, to the Government of the United States

Ratified February 21, 1925

Resolution 31 calling attention of Congress to the significance of the Battle of Moores Creek

Bridge in the War of the American Revolution, and requesting that Moores Creek battleground be

erected and maintained by the Federal Government as a national park

Ratified February 27, 1925

71
72 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

An act to make an act of the General Assembly of 1 925 authorizing the grant of title to the U.S. Government to Moores Creek battlefield in accordance with the requirements of said Government

Ratified February 26, 1927

An act to create a commission for the purpose of acquiring certain property adjoining the Moores

Creek National Military Park, in Pender County, and appropriating $500 therefor

Ratified April 5, 1947

An act to authorize the governor, with the approval of Council of State to convey to the United

States of America, a tract of land purchased for Moores Creek National Military Park

Ratified March 27, 1951

An act to appropriate funds for the purchase of additional land at Moores Creek National Military

Park

Ratified June 30, 1969
Appendix Five

Federal Legislation

An Act Authorizing the Secretary of War to donate two condemned cannon to Moores

Creek Battle Ground Association, approved February 23, 1909 (35 Stat. 643)

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States ofAmerica in Congress assembled,

That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to donate to Moores Creek

Battle Ground Association, of Currie, North Carolina, two condemned bronze field pieces with

their carriages and a suitable outfit of cannon balls which may not be needed in the service:

Provided, That no expense shall be incurred by the United States in connection with the donation

of the above-mentioned articles of ordnance property.

An Act To establish a national military park at the battle field of Moores Creek, North

Carolina, approved June 2, 1926 (44 Stat. 684)

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States ofAmerica in Congress assembled,

That in order to preserve for historical and professional military study one of the most memorable

battles of the Revolutionary War, the battle field of Moores Creek, in the State of North Carolina,

is hereby declared to be a national military park whenever the title to the same shall have been

acquired by the United States; that is to say, the area inclosed by the following lines:

Those, tracts or parcels of land in the county of Pender, and State of North Carolina, more

particularly described as follows:

First tract: Beginning at a stone at the run of Moores Creek, on the east bank of same, about

twenty poles (in a straight line) above the new iron bridge, and running thence parallel to William

Walker's line, south sixty-two and one-half degrees west eleven chains to a stake; thence south

seven and one-half degrees east three and six-tenths chains to a stone at the south edge of said

road south forty-six degrees east about five chains and eighty links to a stone; thence south thirty- seven and one-fourth degrees west fourteen chains and twelve links to a stone; thence north sixtytwo and one-half degrees west ten chains and seventy-five links to a stone, a corner (4) of an

eighty-acre tract which the parties of the first part conveyed to Governor D.L. Russell, for the

purposes aforesaid, by a deed dated January, 1 898, and recorded in Pender County; thence with the

lines of said tract north thirty-nine and one-half degrees east thirteen chains and twenty-seven

links to a stake, the third corner of the said eighty-acre tract; thence north fifty-one degrees west

four chains to a stake about twenty feet from the old entrenchment (the second corner of the

eighty-acre tract); thence up and with the run of said creek to the first station, containing twenty

acres.Second tract: Beginning at a sweet gum on the eastern edge of Moores Creek, running thence

south forty-four degrees east two poles to a stake; thence south fifty-one degrees east four poles

five links to a stake; thence south thirty-nine degrees west thirteen poles twenty-seven links to a

stake; thence north fifty-one degrees west nine poles thirty-one links to a stake in the edge of

Moores Creek; thence northerly with the creek to the beginning, containing eight acres more or

less.

73
74 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

Third tract: Beginning at a cypress on the edge of the run of Moores Creek about twenty feet from the west end of the old entrenchments and running thence in a line parallel to and ten feet distance from the outside or east edge of the old line of entrenchments in all the various courses of the same to a stake ten feet distant on the east side of the north end of said entrenchments;

thence a direct line to the run of said Moores Creek; thence down said creek to the beginning,

containing two acres, be the same more or less (the intention is to include all lands now known and

designated as Moores Creek battlefield and now so recognized as such and owned by the State of

North Carolina), together with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging.

The aforesaid tracts of land containing in the aggregate thirty acres, more or less, and being the

property of the State of North Carolina, and the area thus inclosed shall be known as the Moores

Creek National Military Park.

SEC. 2. The establishment of the Moores Creek National Military Park shall be carried forward

under the control and direction of the Secretary of War, who is hereby authorized to receive from

the State of North Carolina a deed of conveyance to the United States of all the lands belonging

to the said State, embracing thirty acres, more or less, and described more particularly in the preceding

section.

SEC. 3. That the affairs of the Moores Creek National Military Park shall be subject to the

supervision and direction of the Secretary of War, and it shall be the duty of the War Department,

under the direction of the Secretary of War, to open or repair such roads as may be necessary to the

purposes of the park, and to ascertain and mark with historical tablets or otherwise, as the Secretary

of War may determine, all lines of battle of the troops engaged in the Battle of Moores Creek, and

other historical points of interest pertaining to the battle within the park or its vicinity; and the

Secretary of War in establishing this military park is authorized to employ such labor and services

and to obtain such supplies and material as may be considered best for the interest of the

Government, and the Secretary of War shall make and enforce all needed regulations for the care of the park.

SEC. 4. It shall be lawful for any State that had troops engaged in the battle of Moores Creek

National Military Park, to enter upon the same for the purpose of ascertaining and marking the

lines of battle of its troops engaged therein: Provided, That before any such lines are permanentiy

designated the position of the lines and the proposed methods of marking them by monuments,

tablets, or otherwise, shall be submitted to and approved by the Secretary of War; and all such

lines, designs, and inscriptions for the same shall first receive the written approval of the Secretary

of War.

SEC. 5. If any person shall, except by permission of the Secretary of War, destroy, deface,

injure, or remove any monument, column, statues, memorial structures, or work of art, which shall be placed upon the grounds of the park by lawful authority, or shall destroy or remove any fence,

railing, inclosure, or other mark for the protection or ornamentation of said park, or any portion

thereof, or shall destroy, cut, hack, bark, break down, or otherwise injure any tree, brush, or shrubbery

that may be growing upon said park, or shall cut down or remove or fell any timber, battle relic,

tree, or tree growing upon said park, or hunt within the limits of the park, any person so offending

and found guilty thereof before any justice of the peace of the County of Pender, State of North

Carolina, shall, for each and every offense, forfeit and pay a fine, in the discretion of the justice,

according to the aggravation of the offense, of not less than $5 nor more than $50, one half for the use of the park and the other half to the informer, to be enforced and recovered before such
Appendix Five: Federal Legislation 75

justice in like manner as fines of like nature are now by law recoverable in the said County of

Pender, State of North Carolina.

An Act To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to accept property for the Moores

Creek National Military Park, and for other purposes, approved September 27, 1944 (58

Stat. 746)

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States ofAmerica in Congress assembled,

That the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized, in his discretion, to accept in behalf of the

United States donations of lands, buildings, structures, and other property, or interests therein,

which he may determine to be of historical interest in connection with the Moores Creek National

Military Park, the title to such property or interests to be satisfactory to the Secretary of the

Interior: Provided, That the area to be accepted pursuant to this Act shall not exceed one hundred

acres. All such property and interests, upon acquisition by the Federal Government, shall be a part

of the Moores Creek National Military Park and shall be subject to all laws and regulations applicable

thereto.

AnAct To provide for increases in appropriation ceilings and boundary changes in certain

units of the National Park System, to authorize appropriations for additional costs of

land acquisition for the National Park System, and for other purposes, approved October

26, 1974 (88 Stat. 1445) (Public Law 93-477)

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States ofAmerica in Congress assembled,

SEC. 101. The limitations on appropriations for the acquisition of lands and interests therein

within units of the National Park System contained in the following Acts are amended as follows:

(7) Moores Creek National Military Park, North Carolina: The Act of September 27, 1944 (58

Stat. 746) is amended by adding the following new section:

"SEC. 2. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out

the purposes of this Act, but not more than $243,000 shall be appropriated for the acquisition of

lands and interests in lands and not more than $325,000 shall be appropriated for development."

SEC. 402. The Act of September 27, 1944 (58 Stat. 746), providing for the Moores Creek

National Military Park is amended by changing the words "accept in behalf of the United States donations of" to "acquire by donation, purchase, or exchange", and by changing "to be accepted"

to "acquired".

An Act To improve the administration of the Historic Sites, Buildings and Antiquities

Act of 1935 (49 Stat. 666), approved September 8, 1980 (94 Stat. 1133) (Public Law 96-

344)

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States ofAmerica in Congress assembled,

SEC. 12. The area formerly known as "Moores Creek National Military Park", established

pursuant to the Act of June 2, 1926 (44 Stat. 684), shall henceforth be known as the "Moores

Creek National Batdefield".

Bibliography

Baker, Thomas E. Redeemedfrom Oblivion: An Administrative History of Guilford Courthouse National

Military Park. National Park Service, 1995.

Blankenship, Jamie. Background Study on Fences and Monuments at Moores Creek National Battlefield. National Park Service, 1989.

Brewer, David M. Report on an Archeological Survey and Testing of Moores Creek National Battlefield. National Park Service, 1983.

Buchanan, John. The Road to Guilford Courthouse: The American Revolution in the Carolinas. New York:

John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1997.

Cultural Landscape Inventory Files. Cultural Resources Stewardship Division, Southeast Regional

Office, National Park Service, Atlanta.

Cuder, Phoebe. The Public Landscape of the New Deal. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University

Press, 1985.

Foster, Gaines M. Ghosts of the Confederacy: Defeat, the Lost Cause, and the Emergence of the New South.

New York: Oxford University Press, 1987.

Gibbs, Russell A. A History of Moores Creek National Military Park. National Park Service, 1965.

Hatch, Charles E., Jr. The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge. Washington: National Park Service, 1969.

Hubbell, S. Michael. Mary Slocumb's Ride to the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge. National Park Service,

1962.

King, Clyde B. Moores Creek Battlefield. National Park Service, 1939.

Lee, Ronald F. Family Tree of the National Park System: A Chart with Accompanying Text Designed to

Illustrate the Growth of the National Park System, 1872-1972. Philadelphia: Eastern National Park

and Monument Association, 1972.

Lee, Ronald F. The Origin and Evolution of the National Military Park Idea. Washington: National Park

Service, 1973.

77
78 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative HistoryList of Classified Structures Files. Cultural Resources Stewardship Division, Southeast Regional

Office, National Park Service, Atlanta.

Mackintosh, Barry. Interpretation in the National Park Service: A Historical Perspective. Washington:

National Park Service, 1986.

Mackintosh, Barry. The National'Parks: Shaping the System. Washington: National Park Service, 1991.

Map Collection. Southeast Regional Office, National Park Service, Atlanta.

Mattes, Merrill J. Landmarks of Liberty: A Report on the American Revolution Bicentennial Development

Program of the National Park Service. Washington: National Park Service, 1989.

McCrain, Gerald R., and Barbara H. Church. An Analysis of Past and Present Plant Community Patterns

in Moores Creek National Battlefield. Resource Management Company, 1985.

McKoy, Elizabeth F. Early New Hanover County Records. Wilmington, North Carolina: Elizabeth F. McKoy, 1973.

Moores Creek Monumental Association. Monthly Minutes. Park Files. Moores Creek National

Battlefield, Currie, North Carolina.

Moores Creek National Battlefield. Government Performance and Results Act. National Park Service,

1997.

Moores Creek National Battiefield. Report on the Reconstruction of the Historic Moores Creek Bridge.

National Park Service, 1993.

Moores Creek National Battlefield. Statement for Management. National Park Service, 1994.

Moores Creek National Battiefield Research Files. Cultural Resources Stewardship Division,

Southeast Regional Office, National Park Service, Atlanta.

National Archives. Mid-Atlantic Branch, Record Group 79, Records of the National Park ServiceCentral Classified Files, 1936-1952. Entry 81, Boxes 103-104.

National Register Files. Cultural Resources Stewardship Division, Southeast Regional Office,

National Park Service, Atlanta.

National Register of Flistoric Places TELNET database, [http://www.nr.nps.gov/nrishome.htm].

October 1997.
Bibliography 79

Park Files. Moores Creek National Battlefield, Currie, North Carolina.

Pender Post. July 20, 1994.

Powell, William S. North Carolina: A History. New York: WW Norton and Company, 1 977.

Rogers, Edmund B., compiler. History of Legislation Relating to The National Park System Through the 82d Congress: Moores Creek. Washington: National Park Service, 1958.

Section 106 Files. Cultural Resources Stewardship Division, Southeast Regional Office, National

Park Service, Atlanta.

Southeast Regional Office. National Park Service. Completion Report, Moores Creek National Battlefield, Cleaning and Preservation of Six Monuments. Atlanta: National Park Service, 1 993.

U.S. Congress. House Military Affairs Committee. Hearings before the Committee on Military Affairs,

House of Representatives, Sixty-ninth Congress, First Session, on H.R. 3796: National Military Park at

Battle Field of Moores Creek, N.C. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1926.

U.S. Congress. House of Representatives. Supplemental Estimates for War Department. 70th Congress,

1

st Session, H.R. Document 137, 1928.

U.S. Department of the Interior. National Park Service. Master Plan, Moores Creek National Military

Park. Washington: National Park Service, 1969.

U.S. Department of the Interior. National Park Service. Development Concept Plan, Moores Creek

National Military Park. Washington: National Park Service, 1972.

Water Resources Division. Baseline Water Quality Data Inventory and Analysis, Moores Creek National

Battlefield. Washington: National Park Service, 1997.

Index

Abernethy, Charles L., 1 2, 1

4

Archeology, 19, 46-47, 20, 62, 64

Barden, Graham A., 21-22

Battle ofMoores Creek Bridge

description of, 5, 57

events leading up to, 3-5

significance of, 6

Battle of Moores Creek Bridge Monument, 14, 19, 58

Battleground Association. See Moores Creek Battleground

Association

Bicentennial, 26-27, 40

George C. Blake, 60, 67

Borresen, Thor, 19-20, 46

Boyles, Fred, 29, 64, 67

Bridge

Revolutionary War role of, 4-5

reconstruction of, 14,17,21, 28-30,60

Bridge Monument JVe Battle ofMoores Creek Bridge Monument

Camp, Oswald E., 20-21, 59-60, 67 Campbell, John, 5 Cannon, 5, 12,37-39

Caswell, Richard, 4-5

Childress, Ann, 31, 66, 68 CLI. j>£ Cultural Landscape Inventory

Cultural Landscape Inventory, 48

Cultural resources management, 45-48 DAR. JVe Daughters of the American Revolution

Daughters of the American Revolution, 12, 14, 58

Davidson, Robert E., 65, 68 DCP. ^Development Concept Plan DeWeese,JohnR,61,67

Development Concept Plan (1972), 26, 30, 42, 61-62 Earthworks

Revolutionary War role of, 5

partially reconstructed and maintained, 9, 12, 19-20, 47, 59 Environmental education, 40-42

Flickinger, B.Floyd, 17-18

Flooding, 14,21-22,25,60

FordJamesM.,24,61,67

Fort Sumter National Monument, 30-31, 66

Gibbs, Russell A, 25, 61, 67 Goodson, Harry D, 60, 67 Government Performance and Results Act, 31, 48, 65 GPRA. See Government Performance and Results Act

Grady, John

death of, 5 monument to, 9 Grady Monument. See Patriot Monument

Harrington, Jean C, 21 Henderson, David N., 24

Heroic Women of the Lower Cape Fear Monument, 1 2, 1 8, 49,58

Highlanders. See Scottish Highlanders

Highways

State Highway Number 210, 21, 25-26, 28, 48, 61, 64

State Highway Number 602, 1 8, 20-21, 60

Interpretation, 37-42, 65

Ives, Raymond L., 45, 63, 67

Jones, John, 9, 57

King, Clyde B., 17-20, 37, 41, 58-59, 67

Land acquisition, 9, 21, 25, 28

Landscape management, 12, 17-18, 47-48, 64

Law enforcement, 50-51, 63-64 LCS. Seellst of Classified Structures

Lillington, Alexander, 4-5

List of Classified Structures, 46

Living history, 40, 62

Loyalist Monument, 12, 58

Loyalists

Revolutionary War role of, 3-6 monument to, 12, 58 MacDonald, Donald, 4

Martin,Josiah, 3-4 Master Plan (1969), 30, 39, 42

McLeod, Donald, 4-5 Mission 66, 21, 23-25, 28, 38-39, 61 Monumental Association. See Moores Creek Monumental

Association Monuments, 9, 12, 14, 18-19, 21, 45, 49. See also Battle of

Moores Creek Bridge Monument; Heroic Women of

the Lower Cape Fear Monument; Loyalist Monument;

Moore Monument; Patriot Monument; Stage Road

Monument

Moore, Charles P., 13, 17, 58 Moore, George J., 13, 17, 58, 67

Moore, Coloneljames, 4 Moore, James F, 11-12,57-58

Moore Monument, 12, 21, 58 Moores Creek, 5, 25, 42

Moores Creek Battleground Association, 12, 21-22, 24-25, 30-31 , 39, 42, 59. See also Moores Creek Monumental Association Moores Creek Battleground Highway, 21, 60. See also High- ways Moores Creek Monumental Association. See also Moores

Creek Battleground Association

creation of, 9-10, 57

81
82 Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History

management of battleground by, 10-13, 17-19, 58 Museum, 20-21, 37-39, 59

National Register of Historic Places, 45-46

Natural resources management, 49-50, 59, 63 Negro Head Point Road, 5, 12, 27-28, 45, 57 North Carolina. See also North Carolina General Assembly

settlement of, 3 Revolutionary War in, 3-6 North Carolina General Assembly, 9, 12, 57-58, 71-72 Overman, Lee Slater, 12-13

Patriot Monument, 9, 57, 65

Patriots Revolutionary War role of, 3-6 monument to, 9, 57

Patriots Hall, 24-25, 27, 61, 63, 65

Pender County, 9, 22, 30, 40

Scottish Highlanders, 3-5, 57 SEAC. See Southeast Archeological Center Second World War. See World War II

Shultz, Dusty, 30, 64, 68 Slocumb, Ezekiel grave of, 14,45,58

husband of Mary, 6 reinterment of, 14, 58

Slocumb, Mary

grave of, 14,45,58

reinterment of, 14, 58

ride of, 6, 12,39

Slocumb Monument. See Heroic Women of the Lower Cape

Fear Monument

Southeast Archeological Center, 46-47

Stage Road Monument, 12, 19, 42, 58

Stockert, John W, 27, 63, 67

Trails, 18, 26, 30, 41-42, 60, 62-63

Tucker, John, 30, 66, 68

Visitation, 20, 23, 69-70

Visitor Center, 23-24, 27, 38-39, 61-63 War Department, 12-14, 58

Whitfield, J.V, 22, 24-25

Widow Moore's Creek, 5. See also Moores Creek

World War II, 20-21, 59

To Currie and

Wilmington

StageRoad Monument •

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U.S. Department of the Interior - National Park Service - Southeast Regional Office


Bridgeport National

Bindery, Inc. NOV. 1999