History of Huntersville.
Huntersville was incorporated in 1873 and is believed to have been named after Robert Boston Hunter, a large landowner and cotton farmer. the land around Huntersville was ripe for farming, and with close proximity to a railroad, the town quickly grew.
Life in Huntersville’s early days was built around farming, family, and church. Originally called Craighead, the Hunter family became such a large presence in the community that the town was renamed. Farmland was fenced in with split rail fences (some still remain today), and animals grazed freely. Families often shared their beef in the autumn and looked out for their neighbors. In the truest sense, Huntersville was a community.
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church was the first church built in Huntersville around 1875 and backed two local schools—the McClintock Academy and the Orr School. Both schools were similar to junior colleges, and Huntersville boasted of educating a number of ministers, professional men, teachers, and business leaders in the late 1800s.
The railroad’s arrival was one of the most important events in Huntersville’s history. The railroad allowed people and goods to travel easily to and from Huntersville, helping spur the town’s growth and providing jobs for many people.
Another important event in Huntersville’s history was the construction of the Virgin Manufacturing Company. The Virgin Manufacturing Company was a cotton mill that helped make Huntersville a major textile center. The mill also provided jobs for many people in Huntersville and boosted the town’s economy.
Huntersville was originally called Craighead
Reverend Alexander Craighead was a significant figure in early American history, particularly regarding religious freedom and independence. Here are some key points about his life: Craighead was born on March 18, 1706, in Donegal, Ulster, Ireland.
He emigrated to North America with his father, Reverend Thomas Craighead, and settled first in Massachusetts before moving to Pennsylvania. Craighead was a Presbyterian minister who served at the Middle Octorara Church along the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania during the 1730s. He later moved to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, where he served as pastor of both the Rocky River church and the Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church from their founding until his death in 1766
He was a prolific writer and known for his staunch defense of independence and criticism of King George III and the Church of England. Reverend Craighead is often credited as the spiritual father of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which predates the American Declaration of Independence and expresses similar sentiments of freedom and self-governance. His life and work left a lasting impact on the religious and political landscape of the American colonies, particularly in the Carolinas.
Hunters and Ranson Families
The Hunter and Ranson families were two of the earliest families who settled in what was originally known as “Craighead.” In 1873, the town was renamed “Huntersville” for the Hunter family. These two families would join together through the 1890 marriage of William Joseph Ranson and Ellen Viola Hunter. The Ranson and Hunter families continued to influence the development of the Huntersville community throughout the 20th Century. The children of William and Ellen went on to serve their community through military service, church, and organizational memberships, as well as career choices and retained close ties to home.
In 1914, Ellen Hunter Ranson gathered her friends and family for a grand New Year’s Eve party in their new farmhouse estate. The farmhouse, set on a 3200-acre dairy farm in what would soon be known as “Huntersville”, would host many parties for years to come.
The Hunter House, located at 412 South Old Statesville Road in Huntersville, was built by William in 1913. It was home to family members for years and eventually converted into apartments. Today, it has been fully restored and is listed as a Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Site.
Why I am writing these articles.
I have lived in Huntersville my entire life. We actually trace my family’s history back for eight generations. When folks hear this, they ask, “What was life like before the lake?” That question inspired me to research the history of the area. This new feature is the result of those questions. I plan to write many articles about “Life Before The Lake” and post them on www.Lknconnect.com’s website.
Follow LKNConnect.com for future, short articles from his book, or it can be ordered from your favorite on-line bookstore.
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