Somewhere, under a tree, hiding out in plain sight is a little-big area of town known as Smithville. Nestled at the cross roads of I-77 and Highway 21, entryway to the east side and Old Town Cornelius, in the rapidly growing area of Lake Norman, you will discover this community rich in heritage and heart. This community which is… Continue reading Smithville Reimagined
Category: History
Reflection Series: Part One: I Take Pause
Old Town Cornelius introduces this reflection series as a way to empower the voices in our community to express their thoughts and feelings about the uncertainty and discomfort of the current political and social climate. Throughout this series, we hope to begin the dialogue that is so important to initiate change in our community and in our world. Additionally, we hope that this series can document the current state of our world, and allow us to all reflect.
Reflection Series: Part Two: A Confession of Racism
Old Town Cornelius introduces this reflection series as a way to empower the voices in our community to express their thoughts and feelings about the uncertainty and discomfort of the current political and social climate. Throughout this series, we hope to begin the dialogue that is so important to initiate change in our community and in our world. Additionally, we hope that this series can document the current state of our world, and allow us to all reflect.
Local Students Organize Cornelius ‘Black Lives Matter’ Demonstration
Desmond Tutu, South African cleric and human rights activist, states that “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” This message has resonated with many in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On June 3rd, 2020, several local students took the initiative to organize their own protest to have their voices heard on issues of systematic racism and police brutality.
Two College Students’ Perspectives on COVID-19
Hello, hello OTC! We are Kami and Maddie, two of OTC’s college interns, and we are here to share with you our reflection on how we came to realize the severity of this global pandemic, offer some quarantine activities, and hopefully spread some positivity during this chaotic time.
Our Roots: The Ag Building
DID YOU KNOW? ? This building known as the Agricultural (Ag) Building, a part of the Cornelius Elementary campus, was constructed in the 1930s as part of the “New Deal” era to spur economic recovery during the Great Depression. Young men and women of school age learned valuable lessons about farm life and making a living off… Continue reading Our Roots: The Ag Building
Our Roots: Liverpool
DID YOU KNOW? Before Cornelius was incorporated as a town, the area was known as Liverpool. RJ Stough’s cotton weigh station became such a popular and convenient location for farmers to sell their crop, the area was nicknamed Liverpool, after the leading world cotton port of England. Stough and business manager and brother-in-law Charles Worth Johnston… Continue reading Our Roots: Liverpool
Our Roots: Tree of Knowledge
DID YOU KNOW? ? This towering Oak Tree served as Cornelius’s first unofficial Town Square. ? The “Tree of Knowledge” once stood as a central meeting place, a landmark where many a story was told, and many a day grew old. One resident recalls, “It was kind of one of those places ‘what happened there stays there’ kind… Continue reading Our Roots: Tree of Knowledge
Our Roots: How Cornelius Was Formed
DID YOU KNOW? ? Cornelius was formed due to one businessman’s decision in 1885. RJ Stough possessed the gumption to re-locate his cotton weighing scales to a small frame building outside the Davidson town limit. Stough’s move side-stepped a new regulation the Town of Davidson imposed on the cotton farmers and brokers with the appointment of an… Continue reading Our Roots: How Cornelius Was Formed