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Area History & Culture
        

 

Preserving history is an important part of life in Statesville.  Future generations, visitors and residents all enjoy a wide variety of historic places and cultural events.

Designed as a Main Street City in 1982, Statesville has been busy promoting growth and revitalization of the downtown retail district, now listed on the National Register of historic places, through the efforts of the Downtown Statesville Development Corporation (DSDC).  Since that time, downtown has seen over 110 building renovations, constituting an investment of over $23 million. 

Four residential districts represent housing as old as the mid-1800s.  The Commercial Historic District in Downtown Statesville contains important buildings including the old First National Bank building with its landmark clock tower and City Hall, (the first post office/courthouse) the finest example of Romanesque architecture in the state of North Carolina.

The Mitchell College Historic District, just west of the Central Business District, surrounds Mitchell Community College and contains approximately 170 structures dating as far back as the mid 1800s.  This district boasts the oldest homes in Statesville.  The Lowenstein-Henkel House on Walnut Street is the most ornate Queen Anne Victorian in Iredell County and ranks among the top ten in North Carolina.

East Broad Street-Davie Avenue Historic District is located east of the Central Business District, between downtown and I-77. Characterized by late Victorians with wide porches
  and tree-shaded yards, most homes date to the late 1800s. Mulberry and Armfield Streets, located in the Academy Hill Historic District, are the focal point of this district and includes the Mulberry Street School which was completed in 1892.  The Statesville Male Academy, constructed in 1875, is now a private residence. Victorian and other early 1900's architecture prevails in the Race Street District, named for the main street in the district and bicycle races one held there.  Some of the homes in the historic districts are occasionally open for tour.
                   
Also of interest to visitors and history buffs are the Fort Dobbs historic site, Kit Carson's birthplace, Darshana Plantation and Ebeneezer Academy, the oldest schoolhouse standing in Iredell County.  Another unique spot in Iredell County is Love Valley.   This small country western town located north of Statesville is a high attraction for rodeos, horseback riding and nature-loving enthusiasts. For more information, call (704) 592-7451.
Held each year in April, the Dogwood Festival is a month-long celebration that revolves around a series of competitions ranging from team sports to horseshoes and chess.   The first weekend in May, Historic Downtown Statesville hosts Weekend in the Village featuring local arts, crafts, food and entertainment.		  
 
Perhaps the most celebrated of all local events is the National Hot Air Balloon Rally, the oldest balloon rally on the East Coast.  Held the third weekend in September, the Balloon Rally draws some 100 participants from across the nation to participate in the three-day competition and festivities. In 2003, the rally will be held on May 30-June1 in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers First Flight.

The Old Time Fiddler's and Bluegrass Convention, held each May in Union Grove, is a unique event and a real treat for fiddler-loving music buffs.  The oldest event of its kind in the nation, the Fiddler's Convention draws musicians from across the nation for continuous musical performances running Friday through Sunday.
 


Indians lived here, Daniel Boone hunted here, Kit Carson was born in North Iredell, Buffalo Bill, General and Mrs. Tom Thumb and William Jennings Bryan are but a few famous people who have visited or performed here.  More recently Hollywood has found our community and several movies have been filmed here.

Through the years many events and characters have shaped the past.  The grand history continues today with many historic sites located in Iredell County.  The people of this area are proud of their history and culture and look forward to sharing it with you, whether you're visiting or have decided to call Statesville home!

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Magnolia Glen Developers, LLC, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to modify and change these features in order to improve the homes. Square footages are approximations and vary per plan. This is for information only and is not a part of a legal contract and is subject to errors, omissions and change.