FoothillsNC.com is devoted to featuring the nature, businesses, and life in the foothills of northwestern North Carolina centering around Alexander County.

History of the region

In 1752 the Moravians from Pennsylvania came through what is now Alexander County, NC, in search of suitable settlement.  Land grants were issued by Lord Granville’s office in Edenton (300 miles away) bringing hordes of settlers from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.

The Clay Road, used during the Revolutionary War, spanned the distance between Salisbury and Morganton.  Today, this road is known as Hwy 90. The present day Old Mountain Road was one of the first roads in the area. It was used to go to the port in Charleston, SC, where settlers sold their crops and exchanged for staples like salt, sugar and coffee.

– history summarized from The Long Journey Home by Martha P. Hines

Over 200 years later

Business, industry, religion and politics of the area have been influenced by those early settlers. The crossroads of trade established years ago continue to evolve and thrive in the foothills of North Carolina.

The Internet extends our roads of trade to the world. The pioneering mentality of our ancestors live on.