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Davidson is one of the prime locations for living on Lake Norman.  Whether you are searching for your dream home, vacation home, or investment property, Davidson has plenty to offer.  The growth of the Davidson area has exploded in population, in 1980 the population of Davidson was 3,000 and in 2008 the population was estimated at 9,099, with the expected population to exceed 15,000 in 2020.  Davidson's demographics can be found here.  If you would like to read the news about the town of Davidson click here.  The town is conveniently located to the Birkdale shopping village and many retail shopping in the towns of Mooresville and Huntersville, also it is located 20 minutes from the Northlake shopping mall and 30 minutes from the Concord Mills shopping mall which is one of N.C. largest tourist destinations.  There are plenty of restaurants in the Davidson area to choose from and they can be searched from here.

Davidson offers plenty of recreation opportunities, town calender of events, several town parks to enjoy, along with town sponsored recreation leagues.  Lake Norman provides water recreation opportunities for those to enjoy.  Mecklenburg County has three public access parks for boating located near the Town of Davidson, Ramsey Creek Park is free, Blythe Landing is free, and Jetton Park has a small access fee.  Several Marina's are located within the town, Lake Norman Marina, Kings Point Marina, and Holiday Marina.  If you are a golf buff you will enjoy playing golf at the Peninsula Club or the Birkdale Golf Club, also you will enjoy playing at the other local golf courses in the area.

The History of Davidson

Davidson College was founded by Presbyterian Church, a committee of the Presbytery of Concord started planning in 1835. The College opened its doors in March 1837.  From 1837 to 1879 the college was the Town government and managed the police patrols. The Town incorporated as Davidson College in 1879.  In the early stages of town growth the businesses were on land leased by the college.  In 1891 the town changed it's name to Davidson.  From 1835 to 1891 the area around Davidson consisted of small farms and plantations which remained that way into the 20th century.  In the 1800's, two thriving cotton firms located in Davidson disagreed on whether an official town cotton weigher should be appointed.  After a heated election was held and legislation enacted, a town cotton weigher was hired and the firm which opposed the appointment decided to relocate much of its operations just south of the Davidson town limits.  Frequently after heavy rains, the road connecting Davidson and Cornelius would become impassible.  The hill leading into Davidson would become so muddy that many cotton farmers found it safer and more convenient to conduct business just south of Davidson in a small frame building.  This relocation of one firm was a very important turning point for the Town of Davidson.  Davidson got a cotton mill in 1890, but could never compete with Cornelius and Mooresville as manufacturing centers. The mills in Davidson did provide some economic changes but also added to social divisions.  From 1880 to 1900 a growing population of poorer whites coming to towns from farms as crop prices declined went to work in the mills.  Davidson had a mill village and separate church for mill workers.  Unity Church which became Calvary Presbyterian, the building site is now known as the Reeves Temple AME Zion.  In the 1890's the early churches established public schools (both black and white). Women from the churches raised funds to improve facilities and provide recreation for children. Women attending Davidson College Presbyterian Church and college students created Sunday schools for slaves and then helped with the mill church classes.  At the turn of 20th century, the college was still critical to the Town, not just as the largest business but also providing the first water and electricity systems to the Town. The first cars came to town in 1911 with bus services following in 1917, but as with railroad, the Town remained off the beaten track. It was easier to get to Charlotte or Statesville which was important because the Town no longer had a hospital or clinic anymore. Poor roads and inconvenient train schedules protected local businesses by keeping customers in town.  The Town's schools first integrated in 1964, when second grade class from Davidson Colored was sent to Davidson Elementary. The black school building was closed in 1965, and was then used as Head Start center.  At first Davidson remained isolated from changes that the building of Lake Norman caused, but the building of the I-77 highway brought Davidson closer to the surrounding towns.  During the time 1963 to 1980 the local mills begin to close and a few new manufacturers appeared in Town: Bridgeport fabrics, ELOX, General Time, Kerr-McGee. By 1980, the first strip mall is built.  Since the building of Lake Norman in 1963 Davidson has slowly started to change, while trying to maintain a small town atmosphere.  Now the lake provides the area with recreational opportunities and a source of hydroelectric power along with prime lakeside property. 

Education in the Davidson Area

Education in the Davidson area is of prime importance to the citizens of Davidson.  Below is listed some of the schools that a child in the Town of Davidson may be assigned and their school reports, for private schools click here.  The first link is to the school's website and the second is to the school report card.

Charter school · Grades K-5

565 Griffith Street, Davidson, NC 28036

(704) 896-6262

 

Pine Lake Prep
Pine Lake Prep

Charter school · Grades K-12

412 Armour St, Davidson, NC 28036

(704) 677-5789