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Iredell
County, North
Carolina stakes its claim as the regional center of NASCAR
racing. Lovely Iredell County consists of winding creeks, mountains, ridges and
valleys where 122,660 people reside (Census 2000 information). Iredell County
lies in close proximity to beaches, mountains and amenities that only a dynamic
city such as nearby Charlotte
can offer. Raleigh, the
state capital, is an hour and a half drive to the east.
Residents of Iredell County’s communities are privy to moderate weather,
excellent schools and a
prosperous base of industry. Iredell County divides into sixteen townships and
five towns. These towns include Harmony,
Love Valley, Mooresville,
Statesville
and Troutman.
Harmony is a provincial town with just over
500 residents. This historic community’s name originated with the Harmony
Hill Camp Meeting, which was a group of Baptists
and Methodists who inhabited
the area in the mid-1800’s. Love Valley is a camping resort town located on Fox
Mountain with only 30
year round residents. With a Blacksmith, General Store, Saloon and Tack Shop,
Love Valley’s characteristics parallel those of an old western movie. Visitors
to “The Valley” enjoy camping, horseback riding, live music and a number of
rodeos held throughout the year.
Mooresville is
a vibrant mid-sized town of nearly 19,000
residents located in the heart of racing country. Known as “Race City USA”,
Mooresville is home to a variety of race shops and museums equated with some of
the finest names in professional racing. Mooresville has grown tremendously
since the last census, due in part to its strategic location between the Charlotte,
Darlington and Wilmington
racetracks. Mooresville, where many NASCAR drivers reside, is also home to the NASCAR
Technical Institute.
Statesville,
the seat of Iredell County, has an elaborate agricultural heritage that began
with herbs, tobacco and liquor in the 1700’s. Today, Statesville takes pride
in the historic downtown area and four residential districts listed on the National
Register for Historic Places. Over 23,000
residents revel in the small town atmosphere with various unique shops and
restaurants, while living only 45 minutes north of the bustling city of Charlotte.
Mitchell Community College, the fifth oldest college in NC,
is located in Statesville.
Troutman lies
five miles south of Statesville in the southern section of Iredell County. Its
nearly 2,000
residents have convenient access to Lake
Norman, NC’s largest inland lake. Lake Norman and its affiliated State
Park afford residents an abundance of opportunities for water recreation, as
well as a wealth of other outdoor activities. In addition, Troutman hosts the
National Balloon Rally, held at the Iredell
County Fairgrounds each year.
Iredell County, North
Carolina consists of mostly rural communities where southern hospitality is
the way of life. From historic Statesville to the shores of Lake Norman, Iredell
County’s diverse arrays of experiences are unforgettable.
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