Lake Norman Area
Lake Norman was created in the 1950s when Duke Power Co. dammed the Catawba River to fuel its hydroelectric power plants. Development has there has been dynamic during the past 15 years, resulting in the creation of luxury homes and condominiums, and communities in historic towns like Davidson, home of Davidson College, Cornelius, and Huntersville. Once the home of a highly successful textile mill, Cornelius has become the hub of activity in Lake Norman, housing Jetton Park, a 105-acre county facility. Davidson has fiercely resisted commercial development and promoted an image of a well-heeled college town. Huntersville, an old railroad depot, has expanded in recent years with commuters, suburban shopping centers and young-family subdivisions.
Highlights: The brightly lighted retail city that popped up around Exit 25 of I-77, pulling Huntersville’s focus north and lake residents south. Also: Jetton Park, Lake Norman’s chief public access point.
