Learn about Waxhaw History, Modern Times, and Real Estate
A sketching of the Waxhaw Indians' cooking methods.
Waxhaw Throughout History, and Today
To the average eye, Waxhaw NC is a small suburban town outside of South Charlotte. But for locals and history enthusiasts, the area, situated about twelve miles south of Charlotte and just a few miles above the South Carolina border, is a kernel of exciting battles, a location for contentious presidential birthplaces, and today the ideal small town with access to the booming metropolis of Charlotte. For more on how Waxhaw NC came to be, read on!
Originally called Wysacky, Waxhaw received its name from the Native American tribe who lived in the area long ago. The Waxhaws were actually the first to interact with Spanish explorers in 1566. At that time, Captain Juan Pardo, a Spanish conquistador searching for an ocean passage between Mexico and North America, visited the Waxhaw Indians with this crew. The records from this exploration, as well as other visits from early European explorers, noted that the Waxhaw Indians’ “flatheads.” “Flatheads” was a practice of placing a bag of sand on infants’ foreheads to obtain wider set eyes and a flatter shaped foreheads. Pardo also noted the Waxhaw’s longhouses and a large amount of game for hunting.
The Waxhaw Native Americans began to trade with European settlements around 1600. As the relationship between the Europeans and Waxham matured, Capt. Pardo saw the economical opportunity and built two forts in the area. In 1701, the Lord Proprietors of England send a man named John Lawson to survey the area. John Lawnson met the Waxhaws, and kept a detailed journal, an noticed many things about the Waxhaw. He noted their extremely large iron pots, larger than he had seen from other Indian tribes or even European settlers, and their diet of stewed peaches and corn.
As with many Native American tribes, the Waxhaws were decimated by diseases brought by European settlers. From 1715 to 1717, various Native American tribes waged war on British settlers in South Carolina. This war was due to traders’ abuses and the Indian slave trade. It was one of the bloodiest conflicts between settlers and American Indians in colonial history. By the end of the war, seven percent of the South Carolina settler population and the rest of the now small Waxhaw tribe were killed. What was left of the Waxhaws was absorbed into the larger Catawba tribe in NC and Seminole tribes in Northern Florida.
Waxhaw's Settlement History
The town of Waxhaw was established in the mid-eighteenth century by German and Scots-Irish settlers. Many worked as sustenance farmers, which proved fruitful as Waxhaw developed as a stopping point on the busy Traders’ Path that ran between Petersburg, Virginia and Augusta, Georgia. In 1767, President Andrew Jackson was born in the Waxhaw territory, though there is still fierce debate as to whether it was in North or South Carolina. Both states stake claim to his birthplace. President James Polk was also born in 1795 near Waxhaw, north of the settlement.
In 1888, a railroad running to Atlanta was built through Waxhaw, increasing the town’s prosperity. A year later, Waxhaw was chartered, making it the third oldest town in Union County. One of Waxhaw’s most famous landmarks was built due to the railroad’s appearance in town. What is now the Waxhaw Pedestrian Bridge was created in 1888 for automobiles to cross the tracks. It was designated for foot traffic only in the 1940s, and has been renovated so today, it’s as sturdy as it was during the age of Model-T’s and steam engines.
As time went on, Waxhaw continued to grow while keeping its small town flavor. Cotton and textile mills came to the area, providing employment for many Waxhaw locals. In 1940, the distinctive Waxhaw NC water tower was built, and remains a remembrance for Waxhaw residents who played beneath the water tower on warm summer days, and a beacon of arrival for travellers returning to their Waxhaw homes.
Waxhaw Today: Remembering the Past, Building the Future
Waxhaw has continued to expand their history with memorials and registered historical landmarks. In 2004, the citizens of Waxhaw donated to and built the Waxhaw Military Wall of Honor, giving remembrance and thanks to local veterans from wars throughout time. In 2010, Waxhaw registered a section of its downtown area with the National Register of Historic Places. The Waxhaw Historic Preservation Commission offers tours to view the various historical homes and shops.
Waxhaw’s downtown area also offers shopping and fine dining with the comforts of a small town. Antique stores, like the Antique Clock Shop, abound, and you can also buy specialty products such as beads (Bead Merchants) or natural pet products (Reigning Cats and Dogs). For a great cup of coffee, head to Crossroads Coffee House. The Waxhaw Farmer’s Market is one of the best in the Piedmont area, running from April to December. The Farmer’s Market offers local, seasonal produce and artisanal goods from vendors in the area.
Want to Move to Waxhaw? Check out Homes for Sale in Waxhaw NC
As the Charlotte metro area grows, Waxhaw has become popular for families looking for Waxhaw Homes for Sale. Homes begin in the upper $100,000 range, an extremely reasonable price for young families or those searching for a place to settle down. The neighborhood features homes built by Bonterra Builders, Essex Homes, Mattamy Homes and Ryan Homes, so you’re sure to get a unique home with all the luxuries of a large planned community. At the center of MillBridge is the community house, a great location for neighborhood get-togethers, whether it’s at the coffee bar or on the French Door lined patio overlooking the beautiful grounds. MillBridge also has all your wellness needs, with its own walking trails around 12 Mile Creek, a fitness center, the “airnasium” for recreational sports, and an outdoor pool with a Junior Olympic lap pool, an aquatic playground and a waterslide. MillBridge hosts monthly events, which in the past have included the Fall Festival and a Christmas party.
If you’re searching for homes for sale Waxhaw NC or, even near the booming city of Charlotte, consider MillBridge’s varying options and wonderful neighborhood life. With just a few details, MillBridge will find the perfect home for you. Check out more on this wonderful neighborhood, and contact the folks at MillBridge today.
2087
kaledo-art
blakekathryn
dededos
pixelskylines
annaxmalina
kianamaiart
snowghoul
vaporwave
izzy806
discoholicmusic