The history of the town of Davidson is inextricably linked to Davidson College, which predated the surrounding community and influenced its development. The tree-shaded campus filled with classical architecture distinguished Davidson from other communities. The sway of the school extended beyond the campus to the entire town, influencing its commerce, culture, and character.
Davidson College - Davidson College Archives
Opened in 1837, the college was named for war hero General William Lee Davidson. Opposite the campus, along Main Street, a business district arose, and the 1869 Branson’s business directory recorded dry goods merchants, a cabinetmaker, a miller, and three physicians.
Typical of communities in the Piedmont, the college and adjacent town remained isolated until the arrival of railroad service after the Civil War. The railway provided the town with economic opportunities, and Davidson became a shipping point for crops, especially cotton, and a service center for farmers. As in other railroad towns, textile mills and mill villages sprouted along the rail corridor. The Linden Cotton Factory (1890) was the first textile plant in Davidson. Along with the Delburg Mill (1908) it used 2000 bales of cotton annually in the early 1900s.
In 1891, the name of the town was changed from Davidson College to Davidson. The cotton mills spurred growth, and by 1910, the population of Davidson reached 500 residents, climbing to 1,500 by the 1920s. Between 1900 and the Great Depression, the downtown evolved from a mixture of stores and homes into contiguous one- and two-story, brick commercial buildings. The heart of downtown contained small stores and services, including four general merchandise stores, a drug store, a laundry, tailor shop, two barber shops, a hardware store, a post office, a bank, and several restaurants. Physicians, contractors, and milliners also had Main Street addresses. Behind Main Street along the railroad tracks stood the small 1897 Southern Railway Depot, a livery, flour mill, sawmill, cotton gins, a blacksmith shop, and a buggy manufacturer.
In the 1920s, the state improved and paved Main Street, which was part of the highway between Charlotte and Statesville. The state highway commissioner telegraphed Davidson College president to proclaim that the new road (now NC 115) had been named the Davidson College Highway.
Davidson, NC - Davidson College Archives
Commercial patterns changed after World War II. The demise of cotton farming effectively ended the town’s role as a farming service center. Meanwhile, the advent of I-77 encouraged residents to frequent larger stores in Charlotte. More recently, suburban shopping centers around Davidson accelerated the decline of all-purpose retail downtown.
However, more recent events have advanced commerce along Main Street. The flooding of the Catawba River and creation of Lake Norman in 1968 stimulated the region’s growth and Davidson grew to its current population of 10,000+. Local businesses, now characterized by restaurants and specialty shops, cater to this new market. Prestigious Davidson College has made Davidson an intellectual and cultural center, drawing into its orbit a sizable professional class. Owing to strong governing boards and citizen advocacy, amidst relentless development pressure, Davidson retains much of its historic and rural character.
Citizen involvement has characterized Davidson’s planning initiatives. In the General Plan in 1993, the Land Plan of 1995 and the Planning Ordinance of 2001, the town advocated for and implemented smart growth principles, including pedestrian orientation (resulting in a ban on drive-throughs), mixed use development, affordable housing, open space preservation, and connectivity. Citizen involvement was also evident when, threatened with the closing of the Davidson library due to county budget cuts, residents rallied to save the library and, in the process, funded a new engraved-brick patio on the town green. It is a constant reminder of how much our citzens love their town.
The town recognizes the opportunities presented by the future “Red Line” commuter rail including shared parking infrastructure, additional residential development downtown, increased economic viability, and enhanced pedestrian connectivity.
The town received National Register Historic District status in 2009 for the historic core of town, which includes downtown. A local historic district, in place since 1989, also protects the authenticity of the downtown proper. Authenticity, however, does not mean stagnation. New construction downtown includes the two-story CVS building, three-story Stowe’s Corner building, and the proposed four-story “Mooney’s Corner” building.
The Board of Commissioners consistently identify economic development as a priority, and this is evidenced by public investment in planning, pedestrian enhancements and public art, which complements the private investments in new development in all our commercial areas.
As a municipality, we strive to be intentional and innovative in our urban design efforts. We honor our heritage while looking ahead to a vibrant and prosperous future.