Lake Norman Real Estate
History
History of Lake Norman, NCLake 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.
Lake Norman's history:
The Eswataroa Indians, who are also known as the "Catawba Indians") lived for hundreds of years in the area that is today known as Lake Norman.
In 1906 the S. Power Company started planning the “Mountain Island Development #2, which was later then named the Cowan’s Ford and Lake Norman development, and begins to purchase land in the area until 1950. While JB Duke had already begun to purchase land for other SC power generating stations since 1899, but only since 1906 for this new Cowan’s Ford Development.
In 1911 the first bridge spanned over Lake Norman approx ½ south of the current highway 150 in Mooresville. It was built by James W Brown and B A Troutman. It wasn’t until 1959 that construction on the Cowan’s Ford Dam began with a hundreds of people attending the groundbreaking ceremony with North Carolina’s governor Hodges. Construction was completed 5 years later in September 1959. By blocking the Catawba River, Lake Norman is formed.
The Lake was named “Lake Norman” after Norman A. Cocke Sr, who was elected 5th president of Duke Power in 1953. Duke power had shown interest in building a nuclear reactor in the Charlotte area in 1956 and announced in 1957 the construction of the Cowan’s Ford Hydro Station.
5 years later, in 1962 Duke Power donates over 1300 acres of land which would later become the Duke Power State Park and open to the public later in 1963.
When the taintor gates at the Hydro Stations were officially closed in 1962 it took an additional 11 month, until Feb of 1963, to fill the lake and the work on the Cowan’s Ford dam is officially completed in September of 1964. At the same time Governor Sanford also announces the possibility of a nuclear station on Lake Norman.
It wasn’t until 1970 that the plans and location for the McGuire Nuclear station were officially announced to the public. The construction began in April of 1971 and in 1981 the first kilowatt hours of electricity were produced. The first unit began operation in December that same year while the second unit began its operation in 1984.
Search real estate - Lake Norman area info - Buying in Lake Norman - Selling in Lake Norman - Lake Norman Offices - Lake Norman Attractions - Statistics & Facts - Relocation Information - History of Lake Norman - Lake Norman Schools - Arts & Entertainment - Health Care - Regional Info - Lake Norman Business - Lake Norman Mortgage - Lake Norman Insurance - Other regions to consider - Contact us - Lake Norman Real Estate Home - Allen Tate.com
Website by BangTag - Website Design & eMarketing
Copyright © 2007 Allen Tate Company. All rights reserved
Privacy Policy
