- Title
- Our state
-
-
- Date
- May 1999
-
-
- Place
- ["North Carolina, United States"]
-
Our state
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tar heel towns
by Alan Hodge
Granite Falls
Incorporated on May 1 , 1 899, this Caldwell County community
celebrates its centennial this month. And while treading on the lighter side of braggadocio,
Granite Falls has a lot to look forward to during its second century.
Taking ihc Granite Falls exit off
busy Highway 321 between
Hickory and Lenoir is like turn¬
ing down the volume on your radio.
Celebrating its 100th birthday this
month. Granite Falls is a quiet spot on
the highway dial that can nonetheless
stir up a lively community tune when
the occasion calls for it.
Granite Falls takes its name from a
set of rocky shoals on nearby
Gunpowder Creek. The land where
the shoals are located was first deed¬
ed to a fellow named William Baird
in 1754. By 1789. Baird’s son
Andrew had taken advantage of the
area's rich mineral deposits and
established an iron works. In 1797 a
post office was established in the
community then known as Baird's
Forge. Before voting for incorpora¬
tion on May I. 1899. Granite Falls
was also named I.oveladv,
Around the turn of the century,
several businesses were established
that are still in operation in Granite
Falls. Once the largest cordage
Not far from Granite Falls is the slender Ixike Rhodhiss — a popular fishing spot and boating haven, with five access sites.
urSl.|