Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park — Attraction in Elizabethton

I am a travel writer for National Park Planner and I was at the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in May 2013. Sycamore Shoals is an official stop on the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, part of the National Park System.

Sycamore Shoals was where the Abingdon militiamen met up with militias from the Watauga and Holston vallies on September 25, 1780. This added about 600 more men to their ranks. The site is located in modern day Elizabethton, Tennessee, and is on the Commemorative Auto Route on US-321 / TN-67. In 1780, this was part of North Carolina, as Tennessee did not exist at the time.

The Sycamore Shoals encampment site is now home to the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, a “living history” park that covers the time period of the American Revolution. Living history refers to costumed actors who play the parts of people living during the time. Different events are held each weekend, such as a reenactment of the 1780 muster at Sycamore Shoals, a Cherokee Indian siege of the fort, and historic arts and crafts demonstrations. Some of these events feature historic weapons firing.

The Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park site hosts a reconstruction of Fort Watauga and the River Trail, an official trail segment of the Overmountain Victory Trail. The fort started as nothing but log cabin homes. After Cherokee Indian threats became reality, a palisade wall (poles made of trees hammered into the ground) was run between the cabins to keep the Indians out. Visitors can go inside the fort and see the interiors of the homes furnished according to the time period.

For compete information on this park and all of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, visit National Park...

On the morning of June 29 I was walking from the river to the visitor center. As I passed a small house a male who I later determined to be Ranger Davis, was mowing without a uniform or badge but with handgun. He asked me where I was going and I told him Visitor Center. Upon which he immediately dismounted from the mower, told me to leave the park immediately and threatened me with deadly force by patting his handgun and threatened to use it if I did not leave. I asked why I should leave and he replied I should not be there. I then attempted to deescalate the situation by turning my back to him and walking to the Visitor center. He followed me to the restroom and exhibitions, threatening me numerous times with deadly force. I was frightened for my life and left while he followed me to my car, threatening time again.

I filed a formal complaint with the park manager Jennifer Bauer and her supervisor, Mike Robertson. The result was a defense of the inappropriate actions of Davis maintaining he acted within his training. If this is the case, training is seriously deficient.

Since I am not a resident of TN, Bauer and Robertson refused to allow me access to the internal incident report.

All TN employees named should be fired or at least severely...

This park is one of our favorites. We love walking along the river and trails with our little dogs. They have a nice gift shop, where we always can find something to purchase. The staff and rangers are all great! Our mom is visiting us from out of state and we wanted to show her the beauty of Sycamore Shoals. She is 80 and has a tough time walking. Therefore, we decided to rent the park's all-terrain wheelchair that is free for guests to use. Ranger Jason was very helpful and knowledgeable when confirming our reservation. When we arrived at the visitor center, Leslie and Faith were super helpful and sweet. After we turned the wheelchair back to the visitor center, we were told that she was the first person to use the chair as it is a new addition to the park. That thrilled her! Mom really was impressed with the chair and was so happy to be able to see the river and the fort. She kept saying she would never have been able to walk and see the river. She even said, "This is the highlight of my trip!". It's been hours since we visited the park and she keeps talking about how wonderful it was. Thank you Sycamore Shoals for a...