History About Concord, North Carolina

Early Settlement

Concord was first settled around 1750 by German and Scots-Irish immigrants who came to the area via the Great Wagon Road. They were attracted to the fertile soil and abundant springs and creeks. At that time, the area was considered the western frontier of European settlement.

Key Early Settlers

Some of the key early settlers of Concord include:

• George Cathey – Established a homestead near Georgeville in 1750 on a land grant from Lord Granville
• John McGlohon – Settled near Poplar Tent church in 1755. The McGlohons were among the first Presbyterian settlers.
• Robert Harris – Settled near the area now known as Harrisburg in 1760. The town is named for his family.

The Regulator Movement

In the 1760s, tensions grew between eastern North Carolina politicians and the western frontiersmen. This led to the emergence of the Regulator movement, which opposed corruption and unfair taxation. Some minor clashes occurred in the Concord area in 1770-1771.

Antebellum Era and Incorporation

Concord grew slowly but steadily in the late 18th and early 19th century. In 1806, Michael Garmon purchased land and laid out plans for a proper town.

Concord Established

In 1806, Michael Garmon formally established the town of Concord. Growth accelerated rapidly following the establishment of the county seat. By 1820, Concord’s population was around 600.

First County Courthouse

The first Cabarrus County Courthouse was built in Concord’s public square in 1814. This simple structure was replaced by a more substantial building between 1823 and 1825.

St. John’s Reformed Church

The German Reformed congregation organized St. John’s Church in 1802 south of Concord. It is the oldest church of any denomination in Cabarrus County.

Gold Mining

The discovery of gold near Concord in the 1820s led to North Carolina becoming the nation’s top gold producer until the California gold rush of 1848. Reed Gold Mine is a state historic site showcasing this history.

Civil War Era

During the Civil War, Cabarrus County and Concord were divided on the issue of secession from the Union. No major battles took place locally.

Military Actions

While no major conflicts occurred in Concord during the Civil War, local militias engaged in small skirmishes and acts of sabotage against both Confederate and Union targets at times. Sporadic violence lasted from 1862 until 1865.

End of Slavery

By 1865, the South was defeated, slavery was abolished nationwide, and Concord moved into the Reconstruction period. This brought major economic and social changes.

The Kirkpatricks

Prominent Concord political family divided on Civil War allegiance. Grandfather Baxter Kirkpatrick strongly supported the Union, while son Coleman was a Confederate officer. The war split the family and community.

Textiles and Transformation

Construction of railroads and cotton mills in the late 1800s sparked an economic boom that transformed Concord into an industrial center. Population growth exploded.

Coming of the Railroad

The railroad first reached Concord in 1859, though growth stalled due to the Civil War. After the war, rail transportation brought exponential growth in manufacturing and commerce.

Key Railroads:

• North Carolina Railroad (later Southern Railway Company): Completed track to Concord in 1859.
• Concord-Charlotte Railroad – Connected Concord and Charlotte in 1873. Later operated by Southern Railway.

Emergence of Textiles

The first cotton mill in Concord opened in 1876. Textile mills soon came to dominate local industry between 1890-1940. Mill villages like Gibson and Cannon provided worker housing.

Major Textile Mills:

• Gibson Manufacturing Company – Opened in Concord in 1893. Still in operation today.
• Hartsell Mills – Opened by John Hartsell in 1901 after success of first mill in Hartsell community. Ceased operations in mid-1900s.
• Cannon Mills – Kannapolis company opened its Plant 1 in Concord in 1915. Closed in the 1980s.

Population Growth

Concord’s population exploded from just over 1,000 in 1870 to over 5,000 by 1910 and nearly 12,000 by 1930 as people arrived seeking textile employment.

Evolution of Modern Concord

Concord has continued growing into a diversified small city since World War II while retaining connection to its heritage. Revitalization projects starting in the 1990s spurred renewed growth downtown.

Post-War Growth

Concord saw steady suburban expansion in the decades after WWII. By 1970 the population was over 15,000. Light manufacturing, retail, health care and education are major current industries.

Historic Preservation

Starting in the late 1970s, appreciation grew for Concord’s historic buildings and homes. Preservation and adaptive re-use projects accelerated in the 1990s, most visibly at Union Street Studios.

Key Historic Sites:

• Union Street Studios – Converted 19th century textile mill into residential and commercial space starting in 1993.
• Charlotte Motor Speedway – Opened in 1959 from remnants of World War II training base. Track tours and racing museum showcase racing heritage.
• Historic Downtown Buildings – Structures like the Hotel Concord and numerous 19th century brick buildings give downtown authentic charm.

Recent Transportation Improvements

Transportation projects have reduced congestion, improved connectivity to Charlotte, and spurred business investment:

• Concord Parkway (NC-601) – Built 1990-2005 to provide a southern bypass of downtown.
• I-85 Widening – Expanded this critical regional freeway from four to eight lanes in early 2000s.
• Future I-85 Light Rail – Proposed rail line to connect center city Charlotte. Potentially transformative for northern growth.

New Downtown Development

Public-private projects over the past 15 years have filled vacant plots to bring new housing, shops and restaurants downtown:

Major Projects:

• Pepsico/FactSet Corporate Campus – Sprawling office site for 2,500 white-collar technology and business service jobs. Opened 2021.
• The Grounds on Concord Mills – Hip apartment and townhouse community catering to Charlotte young professionals. 335 units when fully built out. Opened 2020.
• The Point Sportsplex – Massive 180,000 square foot youth sports facility opened 2021 at former Philip Morris plant. Hosts national tournaments.

The future looks bright for Concord as it evolves into a leading small city in the booming Charlotte metro while retaining connection to its heritage from 250+ years of history. More progress and improvements are likely in the coming years!