The Trading Ford (between present Davidson and Rowan counties, NC) afforded one of the earliest known crossings of the Yadkin River and access to present Rowan county and lands west of the Yadkin. It is rich in history and culture, from pre-contact Native Americans, an early failed colonization effort by the Spanish (1567-68), journeys of
explorers John Lederer (1670) and John Lawson (1701) among others, through European colonization begun in the 1700s, to modern times. It was here that General Nathanael Greene foiled Cornwallis' British pursuit in the Revolutionary War, and the last Civil War Confederate victory in North Carolina was won at Camp Yadkin.
There've been posts on a relic-hunters' forum about looting the Trading Ford area for the personal gain of a few. In order to protect these irreplaceable historic sites for the benefit of all, we've had to remove all specific maps from our website. Please see: Protect our Archaeological Resources!