Local NC history bet you didn't know. There was once two rocky knobs at Pilot Mountain ! In 1775 there was still and ongoing revolution in the eastern states. The Redcoats had made it as far west as Pilot Mountain NC. Patriots in the area were now being called on by Colonel John Martin but they were still those who were loyal to the Queen. There was fierce rivalry by neighbors all around Pilot Mountain trying to take over one of the rocky knobs atop of the ridge. Eventually the Redcoats along with those "Torries" who lived in the area took over the south knob. It was a great vantage point for anyone who was atop the mountain being able to see 50 miles in all directions. The North knob was too hard to climb so it wasn't strategically sought after. Unable to fight the greatly outnumbered Redcoats, Colonel John Martin ordered 50 large cannons to be made from the iron ore furnace that still stands today in Stokes County. All at one time a great onslaught of cannonballs were fired onto the south knob where the Redcoats had staged their defense camp. The limestone knob already being weathered and weak crumbled to the ground killing all the Redcoats ! Much later the crumbled rock from Pilot Mountain was mainly used to make concrete. Concrete was in high demand for road material now that America was growing at such an exponential rate.
After Highway 52 construction was finished in 1934 any remaining unused rock from the south knob was bulldozed downhill toward the Yadkin River. Cannon balls can still be found for those who are willing to brave the rocky terrain near the river. There is but one picture that remains of a cannon and the south knob before it was destroyed. It can be seen here.............-