Ninety Six National Historic Site ⓘ

Ninety Six National Historic Site is an area of unique historical and archeological significance. The unusual name was given by Charleston traders in the early 1700's because they thought it was the estimated remaining number of miles from here to the Cherokee village of Keowee in the upper South Carolina foothills.

By the mid-1700's, European colonists found it a favorable place to settle. During Ninety Six's early days, troubles with local Indians increased.In 1760, Cherokees twice attacked Fort Ninety Six, built for the settlers' protection. Located at the crossroads of twelve roads and paths, Ninety Six village reached its peak in the 1770's.This important backcountry town boasted a growing population, 12 houses, taverns and shops.At the newly constructed courthouse and jail, court cases were heard twice each year in April and November.

Ninety Six proved to be a strategic location in the Revolutionary War.The first land battle south of New England was fought here in 1775.Later in the war, Ninety Six figured prominently in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution.In 1780, the British fortified the strategically important frontier town. From May 22 - June 18, 1781 Major General Nathanael Greene with 1,000 patriot troops staged the longest field siege of the Revolutionary War against 550 loyalists who were defending Ninety Six. The earthen Star Fort remains as one of the best preserved examples of an original 18 th century fortification.

Many of the books are available for purchase from the park's bookstore.

Ninety Six National Historic Site is located within the Southern Piedmont region of South Carolina. The park protects a diverse variety of habitats including: riparian / bottomland hardwood forest, mesic-mixed hardwood forest, oak-hickory forest, mixed pine hardwood forest, pine plantation, agricultural fields /maintained grassy areas and a small lake and its associated wetland. Such a diverse variety of habitats allow for a great diversity of birds to inhabit Ninety Six. It is also helpful that the overall unit is not fragmented and that the diversity of habitat types present are still in a relatively natural state. Birds are a significant part of our nation's natural heritage as well as an important component of the fauna of our nation's natural areas. Bird species play a vital role in the complex functioning of our natural world. The presence or absence of some specific bird species or species assemblages within particular natural communities can be an indicator of the overall ecological health of these communities. From 2004-2006 a total of 137 species of birds were documented within the boundaries of Ninety Six National Historic Site. Thirty-one of them are birds of conservation concern.

A total of 64 species were documented during the breeding seasons. An extra 7 species were recorded as incidental species detections for a total of 72 species.The five most widely distributed species were Carolina Wren, Northern Cardinal, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, and Tufted Titmouse. Other widely distributed species are American Crow, Northern Parula, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Acadian Flycatcher, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.Other species found include American Robin, Barred Owl, Black Vulture, Brown Thrasher, Chimney Swift, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Phoebe, Green Heron, Grasshopper Sparrow, Northern Mockingbird, Ovenbird, Swainson's Warbler, Wild Turkey, Wood Duck, and Yellow-breasted Chat.

A total of 49 species were documented during the winter surveys. Many of these were waterbirds and waterfowl found at the Star Fort Pond. Raptors such as Red-shouldered Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, and Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures were found soaring over the forest and hunting or scavenging the fields. American Crows and Blue Jays were numerous as well. Wild TurkeyDuring the winter many species were found in mixed groups. These groups often included Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Golden-crowned and Ruby Crowned Kinglets, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Other common species recorded were Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, American Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, and Carolina Wren. In addition, seven species of woodpeckers were regularly found during the winter. Mixed sparrow flocks made up predominately of White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and Eastern Towhee were common throughout brushy areas.

Diet: Tend to eat leaves, grasses, berries, seeds, insects, and fruits. Lifespan: wild turkey’s can live up to 5 years, domestic turkeys live for up to 10 years. Habitat: Hardwood forests.Where to find: Forest edges, especially ones with nut-bearing trees such as oak and hickory. Season of Sight: Fall and Spring. Breeding Season: Late Spring and Early Summer (Mid-March until June). Fun Fact: Their poop determines if they are male or female! Male droppings are J shaped while female droppings are spiral shaped and the larger in diameter the dropping the older the bird.

Diet: Mostly fish, crayfish, aquatic insects, frogs, and tadpoles. Lifespan: up to 8 years.Habitat: Lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, and streamside. Where to find: Mostly found around small bodies of fresh water, especially when lined with trees, shrubs, and tall march vegetation. Season of Sight: Spring and Summer. Breeding Season: March through July.Fun Fact: Green Heron is one of the only tool-using birds.

Diet: Entirely fish, sometimes small mammals, birds, or reptiles. Lifespan: 7-10 years. Habitat: River, Lakes, coast. Where to find: Near water either fresh or salt where large numbers of fish are present. Season of Sight: Spring and summer. Breeding Season: AprilFun Fact: Osprey breed in monogamous pairs.

Diet: Mostly berries and insects. Lifespan: up to 8 years Habitat: Open woodlands, fruiting trees, and orchards. Where to find: Low in berry bushes, high in evergreens, or along rivers and over ponds. Season of Sight: September/October to April/May Breeding Season: June through August. Fun Fact: One of the few North American birds that specializes in eating fruit.

Birdwatchers can see different species throughout the park. With a verity of habitats; from a pond and creakes to meddows and hardwood forest, there are lots of oppertunities to find your favorite bird. The below albums will help you identify birds you may see during your visit.(They are a work in prgoress. A new photo with information will be added to one of the albums each week.)

363 species of vascualar plants have been documented in the park. Because of the wide range of habitats some plants are found in many areas of the park while others are only found in small areas. The park is home to some endangered plants and others that are of special concern in South Carolina. Of the 363 documented plant species at least 15% of them are not ntoive. Many of these species were planted or are harmless componenets of the current flora that found their way into natural areas from plantings or errant seed mixes. However, at least 13 of the species are considered aggressive or potentially aggressive invasive species that are outcompeting and replacing native species. These species are probably one of the biggest single threats to the overall ecological health of the park. Some of the most prevelant invasive species found in the park are Japanese honeysuckle ( Lonicera japonica ), Chinese / European privet ( Ligustrum vulgare / sinense ), Japanese Stiltgrass ( Microstegium vimineum ), and Johnson grass ( Sorghum halepense )

There are 18 species of mammals at Ninety Six National Histoirc Site. A few of these animals are easier to spot than others. Here are a few of the varied species that have been seen at the site.

Diet: Mostly rabbits/hares, may eat rodents, deer, snakes, lizards, and domestic animals such as dogs, cats, goats, and poultry. Lifespan: 7 years. Habitat: Boreal and coniferous and mixed forests in the north, bottomland hardwood forests and coastal swamps in the southeast, and desert and scrublands in the southwest. Where to find: Forests, coastal swamps, deserts and scrublands. Season of Sight: Active year-round but activity peaks three hours before sunset until midnight. Breeding Season: November through August. Fun Fact: Bobcats are often misidentified as domestic cats, stray kittens, florida panther, Canadian lynx, or even a mountain lion!

Diet: fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects, and some small mammals. Lifespan: 8-9 years in the wild but in captivity can live up to 21 years. Habitat: Streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and marshes. Where to find: In or along streams, rivers, lakes ponds, and marshes. Season of Sight: Usually Spring and Summer but occasionally seen in the Winter. Breeding Season: Late winter to early Spring. Fun Fact: Unlike most marine mammals otters do not have a blubber (fat) layer to keep them warm, instead they rely on their dense-water resistant fur.

Diet: Coyotes are omnivorous, which means they will eat about anytghing, including cactus fruit, mesquite beans, flowers, insects, rodents, lizards, rabbits, birds, and snakes. Lifespan: 13-15 years in captivity, in the wild most will not make it passed 3 years of age. Habitat: Prefer open areas like prairies and the desert. Where to find: Anywere Season of Sight: Year round. Breeding Season: Late February and early March. Fun Fact: Coyotes can successfully mate and reproduce with domestic dogs and occasionally gray wolves.