Mooresville (Images of America)

It was a hot afternoon in August 1856 when people in southern Iredell County, North Carolina, gathered for a special event. The train was on its way, bringing officials, a brass band, and the economic future. John Franklin Moore viewed the railroad tracks as an opportunity to fulfill his dream of starting a community and building a town. He knew that trains would bring customers and new citizens and carry freight to and from markets. Moore took a bold step by providing land for a depot and siding and offering land for homes and businesses. Moore’s Siding prospered and grew, and in 1873, the village was incorporated and named Mooresville to honor the founder. Generations of Mooresville citizens have taken daring steps into the future, building a community that is more than just a place―it’s a home. This is a story of Mooresville, the Queen of Iredell.