Weekly Connections with Brian Lafontaine July 27, 2025
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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.
In the late 1800s, the area of what would become Cornelius, North Carolina, was shaped by the cotton industry and the visionary spirit of individuals like R.J. Stough and Joseph Benjamin Cornelius. These entrepreneurs left an indelible mark on the town’s history.
During this time, two thriving cotton firms in Davidson were at odds over the need for an official town cotton weigher. The disagreement escalated into a heated election and subsequent legislation, leading to the appointment of an official town cotton weigher. The firm that opposed the appointment, faced with this setback, made the difficult decision to relocate much of its operations just south of the Davidson town limits to a small building owned by Stough.
After heavy rains, the road connecting Davidson and (soon-to-be) Cornelius would often become impassible. The hill leading into Davidson would turn into a muddy mess, forcing many cotton farmers to seek refuge in Stough’s small frame building. The success of the cotton purchasing business later inspired Stough to construct a cotton mill where raw cotton could be converted into cloth. However, he lacked the funds needed to make this dream a reality, but he knew who could provide the financial backing: Joseph Benjamin Cornelius. Joseph supplied the needed investment, and the mill was opened, further cementing the community’s reliance on the cotton industry.
Incorporated in 1891, the Stough-Cornelius Cotton Mill drew residents, businesses, and a second mill (the Gem Yarn Mill) by 1905, laying the foundation for the town of Cornelius. The Stough-Cornelius/Potts Barber Shop building is one of only seven remaining early 20th-century commercial buildings fronting what was once Cornelius’ bustling business and local government corridor of Catawba Avenue.
In later years, the former Stough-Cornelius building also headquartered the Cornelius Electric Membership Corporation, the town’s first electric cooperative formed in 1940 under the sponsorship of the federal government’s Rural Electric Administration. Today, you will find Potts Barber Shop and Edward Jones doing business there. Before its occupancy by Potts Barber Shop, the east-side storefront housed a beauty shop operated by Cora Readling, who opened the first beauty shop in Cornelius in 1937.
RJ Stough was one of the town’s first entrepreneurs with multiple income streams. He was the great-grandson of Martin Stough (who fought in the Revolutionary War) and played a significant role in the town’s history.
In 1855, Joseph Cornelius purchased a large tract of land and began growing cotton. He owned vast tracts of land along the Catawba River and was involved in various business ventures, including establishing a successful cotton plantation and ferry service.
Joseph was a prominent community member, serving as a Justice of the Peace and a member of the North Carolina State Legislature. By the late 1800s, the town had grown considerably. A post office was established in 1893, and the town was officially incorporated in 1905. Although not a resident of Cornelius, the town recognized the significant role of J.B. Cornelius (principal stockholder in the cotton mill) by naming the town Cornelius.
Cotton mills were vital to the region’s economy, providing employment opportunities for local residents. These mills processed raw cotton into textiles, including yarn, fabric, and clothing, which were then sold domestically and internationally.
In the 1800s, Liverpool, England, set cotton prices worldwide. Due to the sheer volume of cotton passing through the mill’s operation established by Stough, the area was nicknamed “Liverpool.”
Oak Street Mill, originally named the Gen Yarn Mill, was opened in 1905 by Joseph Benjamin Cornelius and employed 45 people. It employed more than 150 people in its peak years but ultimately closed in 1962. Today, it is the home of Oak Street Mill Antiques and several venues, including Brick Row.
The Gem Yarn Mill is the only remaining cotton mill still standing in Cornelius. Today, visitors can step back in time by exploring the Oak Street Mill in picturesque downtown Cornelius.
Follow LKNConnect.com for future, short articles from his book, or it can be ordered from your favorite on-line bookstore.
