huntersville

Text Box: Huntersville is a nice place to raise a family. That’s what bring most newcomers to the subdivisions sprouting up on former farms all over town. The town is known for its progressive land use policies and embrace of “new urbanist” design principles, on display in walkable developments like Vermillion and Birkdale Village.

History: Today, few vestiges of the mill and farming past remain, but a ride down gravel McAuley Road (off N.C. 73) east of town or the Beatties Ford Road corridor to the west will give you an idea of days gone by.

Landmarks: Historic Latta Plantation on Sample Road (www.lattaplantation.org) is a living history cotton plantation. Ramah Presbyterian Church on Ramah Church Road was established in 1783.

What the Locals Know: The back way to Northlake Mall. Instead of taking I-77 and Exit 18, hop on Mount Holly – Huntersville Road (either at N.C. 115, U.S. 21 or the backside of the business park) and take it until the intersection with Alexanderana Road. If you go straight, the road turns into Northlake Centre Parkway, which hops over I-485 and hits Northlake Mall before you get to all the traffic.

Notables: Gen. William Lee Davidson, a patriot who was killed at the Revolutionary War Battle of Cowan’s Ford; National Baseball Hall of Famer James Hoyt Wilhelm.

On the Job: The Park Huntersville at Exit 23 houses 3,399 workers for various companies, and Newell Rubbermaid recently announced a major expansion of its offices at Exit 25.

Chow: For ambience, try Harvey’s in the Vermillion neighborhood. Café Mia in Birkdale Village serves a killer panini – and the gelato ain’t half bad. Toast Café on Huntersville-Concord wins rave reviews.

See the Sights: The Carolina Raptor Center rehabilitates injured and orphaned birds of prey (www.carolinaraptorcenter.org). Don’t miss Birkdale Village, the shopping lifestyle center at Exit 25. The little ones love splashing in the fountain and the adults enjoy live music on summer weekend nights.

You’re from Huntersville if … you remember a time before Exit 25.

Don’t Miss: The Main and Maxwell Farmers Market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings from May 5 to Oct. 27 (between Main and Maxwell streets downtown). The Carolina Renaissance Festival off Poplar Tent Road on fall weekends. The Loch Norman Highland Games each April at Rural Hill Farm off Beatties Ford Road (www.ruralhillfarm.org).