Over the past few years, I have collected a number of maps of the Town of Davidson, NC. Below are what I consider to be my Top 4 maps, I wanted to share for all to enjoy.

#1 Southern Cotton Oil Co. – 1907

My oldest map.

Situated near South Main Street, where Catawba Ave crosses over the railroad tracks and connects to Potts St, is the location of the Southern Cotton Oil Company.

Note the path of Main Street, as this was prior to the opening of the Davidson College Highway (circa 1923) where 115 / South Main St. was extended to Cornelius.

What a difference 100 years can make. In 1923, townspeople were clamoring about the improvements to the road, at least that’s the newspapers said. My favorite part of the story is how they used mules to move tons of dirt to make way for the railroad trestle overpass. They completed it in a matter of months.

Today, the Town of Cornelius and the NC-DOT are set to raze the historic entrance into Davidson to make way for another roundabout. A project that will end up consuming half of the Burgess front yard that many children enjoy sledding down after a snowfall.

The current town board fell short of any solutions with Cornelius, seemingly just allowing it happen. Perhaps it’s not too late for a new board to get something done.

 

#2 Armour Property – 1909

My favorite map.

Situated East and West of North Main St. on the Mecklenburg – Iredell County Border, sits the Armour family farm, which existed through 3 family generations from the early 1800’s to the mid 1940’s.

Note that North Main Street continued over the tracks, to what is Shearer Street today, before Main Street was rerouted to the east side of the tracks and extended to Mooresville in the early 1920’s.

Little is mentioned of the Armour family in Davidson’s history. In 1807, James Armour acquired 264 acres from Zebulon Jetton. The area that today covers North Main Street, west towards the lake, and much of the College campus to the East. Portions of the land were gradually sold over the years–notably 50 acres in May of 1837 (a month after the college opened) to the first president of Davidson College, Robert Hall Morrison.

Today, the Town of Davidson Board of Commissioners and Town Manager are positioning the land north of the County line to be ready for full scale development, further changing the fabric of our community.

The current town board fell short of any solutions for the northernmost point of Davidson, especially residents of Davidson Pointe neighborhood; led by Mayor Pro Tem Campbell who ramrodded the vote after Commissioner Sitton requested an additional two weeks. Maybe it’s not too late for new board to get something done.

 

#3 Davidson College – 1939, Sept 

My largest, linen map

A map of northern part of the College campus, south of the Armour homestead. Like all the maps posted here, maps from this era were largely hand-drawn on starch linen fabric. This map measures 4 ft. in width and the shimmer of the starch fabric finish & subtle colors are stunning.

Note the location of the Christian Aid Society cemetery and Grey Road with the name of “McCheynay Road.” This map highlights the growth in and around the College campus since the 1930’s.

Growth continues to be a challenge for the Town of Davidson, NC. The current town board fell short of establishing any long-term goals for where Davidson wants to be in the next 100 years. They address growth project by project, pressure from old-guard influence and long-standing relationships. It’s disconcerting to overhear the mayor of our town say his objective is to get his “clients paid.”

Though the mayor is running unopposed, if voters elect a balanced board, we may have a chance at keeping Davidson more like the small town we know and love.

 

#4 Shelton Subdivision – 1891

My prized map.

The pièce de résistance of my collection is Davidson‘s first subdivision, “R.W. Shelton’s Addition to Davidson, NC.”  This map is a full-scale exact tracing (Oct. 1920) of the original 1891 map. This map amazing for many reasons, one being lots 4,5, and 6 are the location of the old Davidson Elementary School which the Town recently purchased and is set to spend $14 Million dollars to renovate to become the new Town Hall.

Note the interesting shape of Main Street and also the location of a Meeting Hall on the corner. Shelton was a prominent name in Davidson at the time, and remains prominent in the annals of history. Arthur Armour (1798-1880) from Map #2, was married to Carrie Shelton (1799-1862).

I hope you enjoyed this walk through history and learned something new about Davidson. To understand the present, we first must understand the past.

Vote to Balance the Board on or before Nov. 2, 2021 to ensure the citizens of Davidson are represented by citizen focused Board of Commissioners.