News 12 at 6, July 8, 2008

NINETY SIX, SC--In this one tank trip, we're taking you to a place that sounds like it should be a highway or maybe a radio station. It's Ninety Six, the historic site outside Greenwood, South Carolina.

A visit to Ninety Six Historic Site is a quick trip back about 200 years ago to the time of the Revolutionary War. And it's a visit most of you can make on a tank of gas.

Ninety Six National Historic Site has been a national park for more than 30 years. It pays homage to the role South Carolina played in the Revolutionary War.

There are a lot of things to see and do at the park. The first of which is a cabin that was built in 1796. It was the first one in nearby Greenwood. It's made its way here for you to look at, but it's not the only thing you can see here on your tour of Ninety Six.

Park Ranger Eric Williams is one of the rangers who keeps this place up and running and keeps its history alive.

"It was important in two Revolutionary War battles fought here," Williams said.

Ranger Williams says the best proof of that is the earthen formation which was an old fort used by the British. It's stood the test of time and looks a lot like it did 200 plus years ago. The surrounding field was a battleground that saw American Patriots fight the British. All of it near a bustling village.

"A lot of farming going on. It was a busy place, a lot busier than people realize." Eric said.

The artifacts are fascinating. But it's the name, Ninety Six, that probably drives more people here than anything. It's not name derived from the number people killed in battle or the number of families who settled the area. It's based on geography.

"It was Ninety Six miles to Keowee. The first Cherokee Indian town that traders would come to," Williams said.

With the fort, lots of trails and many other things to do, Ninety Six has plenty to offer if your family is looking for a one tank trip.

You can even see where the village was that was nearby and a recreated fortification area, plus the museum and a lot of nature.