Lake Norman Real Estate
Lake Norman Area information
Lake Norman / Catawba River AreaSurrounded by four counties (Mecklenburg, Iredell, Lincoln and Catawba) the Lake Norman region is found at the center of the 16 counties in North and South Carolina that comprise the larger Charlotte Region. One of the nation's fastest growing metro areas, more than 2.3 million people call the Charlotte Region home.
Lake Norman itself has done much to contribute to the area’s economy; many communities have cropped up along the lake’s shores, with both vacation and primary residences bringing many people into the area. Farming communities have been reborn as chic residential neighborhoods, including, at the south end of the lake, the upper-reaches of the Charlotte suburban zone.
Approximately one dozen Fortune 1000 companies and some 630 international companies operate out of the region. Companies such as Ingersoll-Rand, Lowe’s, Microban and GE Polymerland have chosen Lake Norman for their corporate headquarters or the sites of major portions of their operations. As a result, the Lake Norman Regional Economic Development Corporation was formed in 2003 and is responsible for the development and implementation of the economic development strategy specifically the Lake Norman Region and specifically for the Towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville.
Lake Norman is home to Davidson College, in Davidson, North Carolina. Davidson is a nationally recognized, highly selective independent liberal arts college that was founded in 1837 by Presbyterians. Today, Davidson enrolls approximately 1,600 men and women.
Lake Norman itself is the largest body of fresh water in North Carolina. It takes its name from Norman Atwater Cocke, former president of Duke Power, the company that created the lake. Sometimes referred to as the “inland sea”, the lake was created in 1967 by the establishment of the Cowans Ford Dam on the Catawba River. It offers more than 520 miles of shoreline and a surface area of more than 50 square miles. It supplies water to Lincoln County, Mooresville, Charlotte and other towns in Mecklenburg County, particularly Davidson and Huntersville.Leisure, Recreational and Sporting Opportunities
Shopping is plentiful through the area. From department stores and a variety of national retail names to the array of shops and eateries throughout the region, the retail environment is strong and growing, with something for everyone.
Duke Power partnered with the state of North Carolina to create Lake Norman State Park. It has also created two bank fishing areas and eight public boating access areas along the lake’s shores. Popular game fish in Lake Norman include catfish, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, as well as striped, largemouth and white bass.Lake Norman is one of the International Jet Sport Boats Association (IJSBA) tour stops. Team Tweek, a race team headquartered in Mooresville, helps coordinate and promote the annual event.
The Lake Norman region is home to Mooresville, which is known as Race City USA™. An industry that has seen tremendous growth in the last decade, a number of the racing teams and related companies do business and live at the lake.
Communities of the Lake Norman Region
Huntersville, incorporated in 1873, is the first Lake Norman town north of Charlotte. Formerly known as Craighead, it was renamed Huntersville in honor of landowner and cotton farmer Robert Boston Hunter. Fertile land and a rail line prompted rapid growth, and businesses such as cotton mill Virgin Manufacturing Company thrived.
Even before Huntersville was renamed and established as a municipality, steam engines carried passengers on rails that still run parallel to N.C. 115. Large cotton plantations flourished, prominent schools attracted families from all over the region, and later on the textile mills brought jobs and people to the area. Huntersville’s business community grew along with the town. The Virgin Manufacturing Company facilitated the development of Huntersville “mill town”, located on the east side of the railroad tracks.
Today, the rolling farmland, the easy commute to and from Charlotte, and the town’s proximity to Lake Norman are just some of the enticements that continue to draw new residents.
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The second youngest town six incorporated towns of Mecklenburg County’s is Cornelius. Founded in 1893 but the town was not incorporated until March 4, 1905.
It’s reported that the town’s origin has to do with a dispute over cotton weighing. In the late 1800's, two successful Davidson cotton firms disagreed about whether there should be an official town cotton weigher. A heated election led to the enactment of legislation, and a town cotton weigher was hired. The firm which opposed the appointment decided to relocate much of its operations just south of the Davidson town limits.
The road connecting Davidson and what would be Cornelius would frequently become impassible following heavy rains. Many cotton farmers found it safer and more convenient to conduct business just south of Davidson in a small frame building. The cotton purchasing business was burgeoning, so the owners developed a cotton mill where the raw cotton would be made into cloth. Joseph Benjamin Cornelius (1833-1914) provided the needed financial backing and the mill was opened. Although originally incorporated as “Liverpool”, the town’s name was changed to Cornelius to honor the principal stockholder in the cotton mill.
In addition to the cotton industry, the damming of the Catawba River to create Lake Norman was influential to the town's development and growth. In 1963 Duke Power created Lake Norman and provided the area with choice lakeside property, recreational opportunities and a source of hydroelectric power.
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Mooresville is located in Iredell County, North Carolina, approximately 25 minutes north of Charlotte. In 1856 the Atlantic, Tennessee and Ohio Railroad completed the track from Charlotte to Statesville. The Railroad saw a need for a Depot with a sidetrack and cotton-weighing platform in Southern Iredell County. John Franklin Moore offered land for the site as well as lots for sale to anyone interested in building a town. The place was named Moore's Siding in honor of John Moore and his generous gift. Moore's Siding was incorporated in 1873 and the name was changed to Mooresville. John Franklin Moore died only 4 years later and was the first person buried in Willow Valley Cemetery.Mooresville continued to grow over the years.
As of the year 2000 the population was 20,000 up from 9,000 in 1990. Today, as the headquarters for more than 60 professional auto-racing teams, Mooresville has been officially nicknamed "Race City USA," The NASCAR Technical Institute is also located in Mooresville. While the industry is an important backbone to the city's economy, tourism is also financially significant. Recently named one of Money Magazine’s Top 100 places to live, residents are drawn to Mooresville's balance of modern day services and amenities with old-fashioned charm and values. The Downtown Commission continues to attract new business while preserving the city’s valued historic buildings.
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Denver is also home to the Rock Springs Campground that has been home to revivals and camp meetings since 1794. The only continuous camp meeting still occurring is that of the Rock Spring Camp Meeting of the Methodists in east Lincoln County, North Carolina. Denver, North Carolina is a small, unincorporated town located in the northeast corner of Lincoln County, in west central North Carolina. It sits along North Carolina State Highway 16 on the west side of Lake Norman, about 25 miles north of downtown Charlotte.
Denver’s history goes back prior to the Revolutionary War, when the Catawba Indians lived on the banks of the river which still bears their name, as does the next county to the north. Between 1747 and 1749, some of the pioneers who came to settle the area were Adam Sherrill with his 8 sons, and John Beatty. They settled along the banks of the Catawba near shoals in the river, where it was shallow enough to cross with a horse and wagon. The crossing points were called "fords" and names such as "Sherrill's Ford" and "Beattie's Ford" are still in use today.Denver was originally called "Dry Pond" reflective of the swampy surroundings.
However, thought the unattractive name hamper chances for a railroad line, so they local school principal, D. Matt Thompson was asked to recommend an alternate name. As Colorado was being considered for admission to the Union in 1873 and Denver was the territorial capitol, Mr. Thompson suggested “Denver” as the new name for "Dry Pond". In 1877, Denver was officially incorporated in the State of North Carolina. But, despite the efforts, no train line was brought through the newly named town, stifling the town’s growth.
In 1971, Denver lost its incorporated status, when the State rescinded the charters of several small towns. While today there is a rail line which runs on the outskirts of Denver, there is no service to Denver. The nearest top is used to deliver coal to the Duke Power steam plant.Denver sits on the west side of Lake Norman, a half-hour's drive or so north-northwest of Charlotte. The Lowe’s Motor Speedway and the majority of the teams are located in the surrounding areas, including a few shops in Denver. Well known for the historic Rock Springs Camp Meetings, Denver hosts annual religious gatherings which have continued for over 200 years, and since 1830 at the Rock Springs Campground, just outside the center of town.
Although it has grown, Denver is still a small town, but especially in the summer, is becoming a very busy place, as people come to the lake from elsewhere, to the camp meetings, or are on their way through from Charlotte to towns farther up the highway. Many significant Revolutionary War events took place in the Denver area, including the Battle of Cowan's Ford. The actual location of the battle, a few miles south of town, is now underwater because of the Cowan's Ford Dam which created Lake Norman.
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