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Mooresville

Mooresville was started in 1856 when a railroad was to come through the area needing a point to place a few cotton weighing scales. The area happened to sit directly on the site of the prosperous plantation of John Franklin Moore, and his wife Rachel Summrow Moore. Not only did Moore donate land for the weighing station, but he also gave land for a Depot, and land for several people to start up a town upon. Up until 1873, the town was known as Moore's Siding, with town growth stumbling with the Civil War. In 1873, the Town was incorporated as Mooresville, with 25 families, and several others living within its boundaries. Growth eventually came,and soon the town began to prosper, and by 1900, Mooresville had 1000 residents living within its boundaries. The town slowly but steadily grew throughout the twentieth century, and like many small towns in North Carolina its economy centered around a few large textile and furniture factories. However, in the 1980s the nearby city of Charlotte began to see enormous population growth, and today Mooresville is increasingly a suburban "bedroom community" for Charlotte-area workers. The town has experienced rapid population growth in recent years, and considerable housing and shopping-center development as well.

The area was already home to Europeans prior to 1856. Two very large prosperous plantations, Mount Mourne Place and Belmont, were in the area, with Belmont dating to before the Revolutionary War. There were also several other smaller plantations in the area, and many farms in the area as well. Well before the Europeans came though, The Catawba Indians used the area as hunting grounds, and legend holds that in the area is an old Indian burial mound, which is yet to be discovered.

Mooresville was once home to a professional minor league baseball. The Mooresville Moors played in the Class D North Carolina State League from 1937-1942. The league ceased operations for two seasons due to World War II but was reorganized in 1945. That season's team was known as the Mooresville Braves, due to the fact it was part of the Boston Braves farm system. The following season, 1946, the club returned to its traditional Moors nickname and remained in the league until it disbanded after the 1952 season. In 1953 a new Class D league, known as the Tar Heel League, was formed and the Mooresville Moors were members for its one season of existence. At least two former members of the Moors went on to play in the Major Leagues: pitchers Dave Jolly and Hoyt Wilhelm, who was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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