Our History

History in Motion

You’ll find Cabarrus County’s history in the restored walls of restaurants, breweries, and the local distillery. It’s in storied grandstand seats and lyrics written by locals musicians, illustrated through creative passion, carved into commemorative bricks, running through Little Meadow Creek and all along downtown streets.

Cabarrus County is more than just a motorsports mecca, it’s a region steeped in history with a heritage dating back to 1792. It was named after Stephen Cabarrus of Chowan County, speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons. The City of Concord was founded four years later and became the county seat.

Tour historic downtown Concord and see the stately 19th century Cabarrus County Courthouse, the Concord Museum, and the Memorial Garden — a beautifully restored three-acre garden dating back to 1804. Walk the Union Street Historic District to experience the city’s genteel neighborhoods with Italianate, Queen Anne and Colonial Revival homes under a massive tree canopy. You’ll encounter such sights as 94 Union Street, the circa 1928 home of textile magnate Charles A. Cannon, who developed Cannon Mills into a textile giant.

Explore the region’s textile heritage in downtown Kannapolis, one of the largest and best-preserved mill villages in the South. The town began as the famous Cannon Mills, one of the first plants to process and sell cotton in the south, which later became the world’s largest producer of fine towels and linens. Stroll through charming Cannon Village for an afternoon of shopping and enjoy the scenic surroundings. At Reed Gold Mine, where the first gold discovery in America was made in 1799, you can tour underground tunnels, pan for gold and watch an ore-crushing stamp mill in action. Step back in time at the Bost Grist Mill, a commercial and social center for southern Cabarrus County residents built in the early 1800s. Enjoy antiques, artifacts and watching corn being ground into flour and grits using original milling equipment.

Every time you pan for gold, see a live performance, or partake in any of the area’s cultural activities, you help keep Cabarrus County’s history alive!