Cowpens Museum and Historical Committee

10/02/2026

Some exciting news for the USS Cowpens legacy!

Legislation sponsored by United States Senator Darline Graham of South Carolina has been introduced in the United States Senate calling for a future United States Navy ship to once again carry the name Cowpens, honoring the American victory at the Battle of Cowpens on January 17, 1781.

For nearly 85 years, the name Cowpens has had a special connection with the United States Navy. USS Cowpens CVL 25 carried the name during World War II, and USS Cowpens CG 63 continued that legacy from 1991 until her decommissioning in 2024.

The relationship between the sailors of these ships and the Town of Cowpens has become an important part of our community’s history. The crew of CVL 25 helped establish a bond with Cowpens that has continued through the generations, including with the sailors and families of CG 63.

There is still a process ahead, but it is exciting to see an effort underway to continue this legacy and hopefully see a third USS Cowpens join the United States Navy.

You can follow Senate Bill 5655 and its progress through Congress here:

09/18/2026

09/17/2026

The Beginning of the Cowpens Fire Service – 1928

On July 25, 1928, the Spartanburg Herald reported on some major improvements being made to fire protection in Cowpens.

The Town had purchased a new fire truck for $2,500 from L. R. Hunter of Charlotte, North Carolina, factory representative for the Howe Fire Apparatus Company of Anderson, Indiana. According to the article, the Cowpens truck was the first firefighting apparatus mounted on a new Ford chassis to be sold in either North or South Carolina.

The new truck came equipped with two 40-gallon chemical tanks, 150 feet of chemical hose, two scaling ladders, a powerful searchlight, two rear lights, a siren, locomotive bell, axes, crowbars, lanterns and buckets. It could also carry 1,500 feet of regular fire hose.

Cowpens did not yet have a fire station, so the new truck was being stored in the garage of Tindall Motor Company here in Cowpens until a new fire station could be built.

The Town was also organizing a volunteer fire department. Plans called for a chief, assistant chief and 12 to 15 members. After the department was organized, several trial runs were planned to familiarize the men with the proper handling of the new truck.

The fire truck came at a time when Cowpens had also made a major investment in its infrastructure. The Town had recently completed a $70,000 water and sewer system, which included an 85,000-gallon water tank. The new water system provided the supply and pressure needed for the town’s new firefighting equipment. This marked the beginning of the Cowpens Fire Department we know today.

09/04/2026

People of Cowpens, we need your help on a couple of projects!!

First, we are looking for Mighty Moo shirts from throughout the years. We would love to find as many different years and designs as possible for a project we are putting together. If you have old Mighty Moo shirts tucked away somewhere, please let us know!

Second, we are working to compile a complete list of Cowpens Fire Chiefs. We have the information from 1960 to the present, but we are still looking for names from 1928 through 1960. We have been told that during at least part of this period, the Police Chief also served as Fire Chief.

If you have any old photographs, newspaper clippings, family information, shirts, or anything else that might help with either project, please reach out to us.

Sometimes the best pieces of Cowpens history are still sitting in someone’s closet, attic, or old photo album. Help us fill in the gaps!

09/02/2026

Today, September 2, marks VJ Day and the official end of World War II.

On September 2, 1945, Japan formally surrendered aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. USS Cowpens CVL 25, the Mighty Moo, was there that day after having the distinction of being the first American aircraft carrier to enter Tokyo Bay.

Cowpens had fought across the Pacific, earned 12 battle stars, and taken part in the final strikes against the Japanese home islands. On that September morning, Cowpens and her crew were in Tokyo Bay as the war they had fought for more than two years officially came to an end.

But the Mighty Moo’s work was not finished. In the months that followed, Cowpens took part in Operation Magic Carpet, helping bring American servicemen home from the Pacific.

September 2, 1945. Victory in the Pacific.