The story of Mooresville
is about people who, finding themselves together in one place, built a
dynamic community. There were good times and recession, business growth
and decline, as well as government excellence and political bickering.
Through it all, the bold, benevolent leadership of John F. Moore set the
standard for citizenship.
In
1856, people got excited about starting a town
because the railroad offered an
opportunity to
interact with neighboring communities, towns and cities. Since those
early days, the 25 original residents have been joined by those who
arrived by horse, train and car to get involved in business, provide
educational and religious training and build families.
By 1872 the community was
ready to become a town. On March 3, 1873 the NC Legislature passed a
bill incorporating Mooresville as an "incorporate town," named in honor of John
Franklin Moore.
The early citizens were
the descendants of Scotch, Irish, German, English, African American and
Lebanese immigrants. They found themselves in the rich farmland of
Piedmont North Carolina, near an excellent source of water, the Catawba
River, and railroad transportation. A plank road connected the village
to points north and south and a macadam road led to the Catawba River.
Travel was not
easy, but it was possible. Crops were sold in markets near and far,
thanks to the Atlantic, Tennessee and Ohio railroad. Later a line
connecting Mooresville to Winston Salem through Mocksville improved the
transpiration network. Goods came into town over the same rails and
highways.
opportunity to
interact with neighboring communities, towns and cities. Since those
early days, the 25 original residents have been joined by those who
arrived by horse, train and car to get involved in business, provide
educational and religious training and build families.
American and
Lebanese immigrants. They found themselves in the rich farmland of
Piedmont North Carolina, near an excellent source of water, the Catawba
River, and railroad transportation. A plank road connected the village
to points north and south and a macadam road led to the Catawba River.
Travel was not
easy, but it was possible. Crops were sold in markets near and far,
thanks to the Atlantic, Tennessee and Ohio railroad. Later a line
connecting Mooresville to Winston Salem through Mocksville improved the
transpiration network. Goods came into town over the same rails and
highways.