Lake norman, as with most of the rest of north carolina. More than fifty years later, the lake has transformed into a statewide destination, and the story of what lies beneath its waters continues to fascinate. Lake norman is the largest body of water in the catawba river watershed and the largest lake in north carolina. North carolinas piedmont is a region of high biodiversity, and lake norman is important for its diversity of birds, fish, mammals and plants. The population was 32,711 at the 2010 united states census. It was named after former duke power president norman cocke, lake norman is the controlling lake in the catawba basin and is almost as large as the other ten lakes combined. Mooresvilles nascar history has left a few tread marks on the. The dam channeled catawba river waters into the largest lake in north carolina. Elevation of lake norman nc at full pond is 760 feet. This book is a perhaps too brief description of the history behind the creation of and the moguls behind the area now known as lake norman near charlotte, north carolina. The north carolina auto racing hall of fame and memory lane. Read a history of lake norman online by chuck mcshane books. The east monbo and long island cotton mills, were originally shut down in the 50s, to make way for.
But it is a decent overview of the area, and includes the history of the region from well before the creation of the lake. Chuck mcshane is a writer and historian whose work on north carolina history and culture regularly appears in charlotte magazine and our. A history of lake norman charlotte magazine fifty years ago, a river became a lake and woods became water. This story comes from sarah croslands book secret charlotte.
Bookings for private charters are available and be sure to plan ahead during peak seasons. Its amazing how much the area has changed from the beginning of last century to the beginning of this one. The calendar will stay full all year with exciting events around the lake. Begin planning for a good time on the lakeside of charlotte with friends and family by browsing some of the annual festivals and events listed below for 2020. In 2018, the population had increased to 38,431, making it the largest municipality in iredell county. The history of lake norman lake norman s original purpose was to provide fresh water and flood control for the region. Gill wylie of the catawba power company and an engineer named william s. History of lake norman lake norman is an inland sea with a surface area of approximately 32,500 acres. Lake norman has several private and public chartered cruises to choose from during your visit, some offering special programs and events for each cruise. Lake norman was completed almost 70 years after the initial idea was introduced by an engineer from south carolina, who was working on a project to form the worlds first hydroelectric power plant at niagara falls. Ever since, lake norman has shaped lives and traffic patterns and even the language of this oncerural region of north carolina fifty years ago, a river became a lake and woods became water.
Although over half a century has passed, many roads, facilities, and even homes still sit eerily undisturbed beneath the water. Beneath the waters of lake norman lies huge sections of some of north carolina s most unique towns from the past. The early years prior to 1959, the land that is now at the bottom of lake norman was largely wooded, and the people who inhabited the region were primarily farmers. Read this book and over 1 million others with a kindle unlimited membership. Lake norman is north carolinas largest manmade lake, with a surface area of 32,510 acres.
While it contains much information about the subject, it seems far too brief to fully understand and appreciate the socioeconomic development of the area. Most people have no idea that these towns under lake. If you have been looking for a good book about the history of north carolinas inland sea, try this one. We love lake norman and after reading this book know. Lake norman was created from 1959 to 1964 when duke power company built the cowans ford dam across the catawba river to generate. Goose creek, hanging rock, jones lake, lake james, lake norman, and new river elk shoals access state parks. Lake norman was created in the early 1960s when the duke power company dammed the catawba river to generate hydroelectric power. Today, lake norman reaches its watery fingers into four counties and across 32,500 acres. Mooresville is a large town located in south western section of iredell county, north carolina, united states and is a part of the fastgrowing charlotte metro. The history of lake norman lake normans original purpose was to provide fresh water and flood control for the region. Lake norman north carolina vintagestyle map art print poster by. It is located approximately 25 miles 40 km north of charlotte. On a muggy september day in 1959, north carolina governor luther hodges set off the first charge of dynamite for the cowans ford dam project.
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