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Carolina Medical Associates was formed in 1980 to provide the best possible healthcare to our community with a personal touch. A continual relationship with our patients allows our physicians to care for the physical as well as emotional needs of each patient. Our dedicated staff is available to handle your questions or concerns.

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History of Pineville, NC

Home > History of Pineville, NC

History of Pineville, NC

history of Pineville NC

Welcome to Pineville, a suburb of Charlotte and the southernmost area in Mecklenburg County. The town sits between Charlotte, NC and Fort Mill, SC. Considered a big “small” town, Pineville has a southern charm and quaint town feel while still having the amenities of a big city like Charlotte.

As primary care physicians in Pineville, NC, Carolina Medical Associates is proud to offer high-quality, personalized medical care to patients in the area. As our community has a well-developed history and culture, we encourage families to get to know the area and its resources.

Read on to learn more about the history of Pineville, NC.

Historical Developments

Pineville’s roots can be traced back to the late 1700s when cotton farms and the gold rush brought people into North Carolina.

Birthplace of James K. Polk

With a historic claim to fame as the birthplace of James K. Polk, Pineville was home to our 11th President of the United States who was born in 1795. Although his home is no longer standing, another historical cabin from the same time period still stands and is symbolic of where James K. Polk was born.

The area is now a historic site with two reconstructed log cabins that are furnished with period antiques to show what the Polk family would have used. 

Today, the site also has nature trails, tours, and a museum with exhibits. The site is temporarily closed but will soon be reopening and operating under the recommended guidelines for masks and social distancing.

Charlotte’s Gold Rush

In 1799, North Carolina became an exciting place to be thanks to the discovery of gold. Conrad Reed, a twelve-year-old boy, found a 17-pound gold nugget in a stream on his family’s farm in Cabarrus County. As more gold was found along the stream, the news was out and so began the Charlotte gold rush as others, anxious to find their own gold, moved to the area.

Workers and miners from across the country and even from Europe poured into North Carolina in search of gold. The miners from Europe had the largest impact on the new area. The Cornish miners had developed techniques for lode mining from extracting tin and copper from their homelands. 

They passed on their knowledge for safe, proper mining techniques as well as steam technology. This brought about the use of steam engines which then spread from mining into textile mills.

During the Charlotte gold rush, Pineville was a mule trading center. At that time, the town was known as Morrow’s Turnout. The area was located between two major trade routes. There were vast areas where the animals used for trade and transportation could be “turned out” into the pastures.

Railroads and a Step Toward Modern Growth

In 1852, the railroad running from Columbia to Charlotte came through “Morrow’s Turnout.” However, the railroad wanted a more modern name for the town. The large, towering pine trees in the area inspired the town’s new name. Hence, Pineville was incorporated in 1873.

With its new name and railway stop, the town began to grow. A cotton mill was built in the 1890s and operated until the late 1970s. This one-block area of Pineville was once a bustling commercial area and is now the location of several quaint shops and restaurants.

Urban Development

In 1967, Pineville was forever changed when the first part of Interstate 485 opened. This one-mile stretch of highway connects NC Highway 51 and South Boulevard to divert traffic in a loop around Charlotte. As a result of this loop, the road goes directly through Pineville.

The years that followed the construction of Interstate 485 showed the mass development of the undeveloped land along the sides of the interstate. This area is now the largest shopping area throughout North Carolina. Pineville is home to the Carolina Place Mall, a 1,100,000 square foot shopping center. The town also has two power centres, several strip malls, and individual retailers and shops.

Pineville Today

Pineville is essentially the definition of urban sprawl. Since the shopping district was developed due to the presence of the freeway, access to a car or motor vehicle is necessary.

At the time of the 2010 census, Pineville had 7,479 residents, a number that had more than doubled since the 2000 census. However, Pineville has a unique location situation. It is precisely positioned between the city of Charlotte and the state line of North and South Carolina. As a result, Pineville cannot extend its boundaries. There is no room for it to grow in size. 

The land developed along the interstate was used for commercial retail space, not residential meaning Pineville is known by many, but home to few. With the development of commercial space, the space adjacent to the interstate has been fully developed. There is not room for residential developments in Pineville.

Visit Pineville, NC

Pineville has undergone major changes since the gold rush through the development of the railroad and textile industries. Thanks to the interstate, locals and visitors alike can take part in one of the biggest shopping opportunities. 

Take a moment to experience historic Pineville while also visiting the shopping district. Visit Pineville, NC. Your adventure awaits!

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