A bit of Mooreville Lake Norman NC's history is lost to real estate development

Old Store in Mooresville

For some reason this tiny, run-down old store touched me the very first time I saw it just after moving to Mooresville Lake Norman. I passed it every day for years as I drove back and forth on Brawley School Road, thinking someday I should stop, take a picture and peak inside.

Old Store on Brawley School Rd in Mooresivlle

As the widening of Brawley School began several months ago, someone painted numbers with bright orange spray paint on a number of homes and structures located very close to the street. This tiny store had the #60 on it which I realized meant it was going to be torn down.

On a whim, my son and I stopped one day and took these pictures.

Interior of old store on Brawley School Rd

We peaked inside the partially opened front door and it was as if time had stopped. The old shelves and refrigerator were just as they were years ago. I imagined the shelves full of food and supplies and folks standing around talking about the recent cotton crop.

Image of Historic Store in Mooresville NC While I welcome the new homes along Lake Norman, the 2 new lanes on Brawley School and even the commercial real estate development occurring all along it, I cant help be feel a sense of loss.

To think that years ago there was no Lake Norman. Our now historic downtown Mooresville was built by cotton farmers simply to take advantage of the new railroad to get their cotton to their buyers.

Yesterday, as my son and I were driving home from lunch, we drove by the store. In a matter of a few hours it had been demolished. A huge tractor was scooping up the now piles of old wood.

Our first instinct was to turn around and try to get one piece of wood or something not knowing what we would do with it. But, we kept going, deciding it was best to carry on, grateful that we had these pictures to remind us of life in Mooresville before we lake-lovers came along.

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http://www.bestrealestatelakenorman.com/002EEE

Posted on April 21, 2008 09:21:51 by Diane Aurit

Comment from: Ines [Visitor]

· http://www.Miamism.com

What a great little place. Sometimes I wish people would be more sensitive to history and historic buildings and we could show our kids what the OLD was all about.

There has been instances here in my neck of the woods where developers have had to go around all historic buildings and the result has been unreal!

Permalink April 24, 2008 23:00:30

Comment from: Diane Bowles Billerman [Visitor]

Yes, what a great place it was. I can remember going by this little store which we had nicknamed "Mayhew town" (because of the green sign next to it stating so) on our way to and from our rented lake lot near the Yacht Club. Born and raised in Mooresville, I have fond memories of our lake weekends, remembering going down Brawley School road with no traffic and seeing John's Trading Post as the only other store to stop for a coke or ice cream. One of my fondest memories is asking my dad if we could stop at "Mayhew Town" while driving home one evening, and he actually stopped at the sign with Mayhew on it. Looked over at my brother and me with a grin on his face saying we have now stopped at Mayhew Town. He then pulled into the little store for us to get ice cream. I will miss seeing the little rundown store but I will always have it in my memories.

Permalink October 18, 2008 21:13:59

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