North Carolina Living: Kings Mountain North Carolina

Kings Mountain North Carolina

Kings Mountain prides itself on being one of the most livable cities in America. Neighbors benefit from exceptional medical facilities, vibrant neighborhood business districts, and a solid network of parks, community centers, and libraries. With a strong economy, safe streets and a diverse workforce, Kings Mountain is poised for continued success in fostering new enterprise throughout the city.

Kings Mountain is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in an area known as the Piedmont of North Carolina. Ideally located between Greenville, S.C. and Charlotte, N.C., it is served by I-85 and U.S. Highways 74 and 29.

Kings Mountain continues to grow as more and more people make their homes and bring their businesses here. The county, ideally located in the foothills of North Carolina, is home to comfortable climates, top-notch educational institutions and healthcare facilities, recreational opportunities, and friendly people.

Whether you are interested in outdoor recreation, the arts, dining and shopping, business and industry, education or healthcare, we have it all right here in Kings Mountain.

In the county, you will find manufacturers of truck cabs, compact discs, transmissions, aircraft parts, ceramic capacitor material, electric motors and production equipment, as well as some specialized textile companies.

Gross retail sales for Cleveland County exceed $1 billion a year. The major retail areas are the Cleveland Mall, with large retailers such as Sears, Belk, and Goody's; and the Kings Mountain, Boiling Springs and Uptown Shelby areas, which boast specialty shops and an abundance of restaurants. In Cleveland County, you can eat or shop at a well-known establishment or choose one of our independently-owned restaurants or shops.

Agriculture continues to be an important part of the county’s economy. Major crops are fescue for hay and grazing, soybeans, wheat, cotton, alfalfa, tomatoes, and summer squash. In addition, apples, peaches, and various small fruits and greenhouse crops are produced. The animal enterprises primarily consist of beef cattle, dairy, broilers, and turkeys. Cleveland County also has a few dairy farms still in operation.

Incorporated on February 11, 1874, Kings Mountain NC takes its name from the historical Revolutionary battle fought five miles South, thus bringing meaning to our motto "The Historical City." This battle was very important in early American history, being proclaimed "the turning point of the American Revolution in the South."

W.A. Mauney was the first citizen of Kings Mountain. He was the first man to establish a home, opened the first store, was the first postmaster, builder of the first cotton mill and pioneered in the banking business of that general section. W.A. Mauney also cut many paths and roads through the wilderness.

In 1870-72 the building of the Charlotte-Atlanta Airline Railway was the impetus for the founding of Kings Mountain town. Farmers had no vision of turning the land into town lots or industrial sites, but men of other parts of the county and adjacent areas saw the possibilities for development. Freno Dilling moved his sawmill from Cherryville to the site of the present Kings Mill on N. Piedmont Avenue in May, 1872. The first railroad track was laid in the fall of that same year. The Dilling sawmill supplied some of the cross ties and his well furnished water to the railroad engines.

Today Interstate 85 and US Highway 74 run through the City, making Kings Mountain ideally located for transportation needs of its many businesses. Kings Mountain industries were firmly based on textiles in the early years, but transportation, along with three established Industrial Parks have diversified the business climate. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is nearby, giving us a virtual lifeline to the World.

An indoor natatorium and a new multi-million dollar Junior Olympic Swimming Pool and Sports Complex offers a variety of indoor and outdoor activities for the whole family.

Gardner Webb University is only a thirty minute drive and UNCC is forty five minutes away. Both schools are four year degree institutions offering excellent masters and doctorate programs.

The location and history not only makes Kings Mountain unique but also the fact that we own and operate our own utilities of Gas, Electric, Water and Sewer providing one-stop shopping convenience for those requiring our services. We also own John Henry Moss Lake, which not only provides recreational activities, but also provides our city's water supply.

With the Kings Mountain National Military Park, and two state parks within a five minute drive from the center of town, we have the opportunity of enjoying nature as well as the history of our area. Over one million visitors pass through these parks each year.