E-Bike Test Ride Preview

1

Pedago e-bikes

Pedego Lake Norman is a family-owned small business on a mission to connect the Lake Norman community to the joy of electric bikes. Owners, Tom and Grace Kennedy ,have been Huntersville residents since 2016, and their children can often be found helping out at the shop. It’s a true family affair! Pedego e-bikes are available to rent and purchase, with free test rides encouraged. Tap the green Continue Tour button on your phone

2

Introduction to the tour

Welcome to a tour of the history of the town of Cornelius. First, we will give some background of this region of the Piedmont country. Then, we will discuss the reason the town Cornelius was established. On our tour, we will point out some historical sites that played a part in the development of the town. The Piedmont's early Native American inhabitants, the Catawbas, numbered between 4,000 and 8,000. The Catawbas were not a nomadic tribe, living in bark houses rather than tepees. They enjoyed nature's bounty and supplemented it by planting fields of corn. The Catawbas resisted the influx of Europeans until 1759, when a smallpox epidemic drastically reduced their numbers. Survivors were forced to sign a treaty that restricted them to a small area around present-day Rock Hill, South Carolina. Tap the green Continue Tour button on your phone

3

Early history of the town

Beginning in the colonial era, cotton was grown for personal use, as well as for market. One advantage of growing cotton was that it could be grown equally well in small or large quantities. It required little equipment or skill to produce and provided year-round work for enslaved persons. Harvested crops were non-perishable, could be transported to market with little damage and always found a ready sale. The town of Cornelius’s origin has been traced to a dispute over cotton weighing. In the late 1800s, two thriving cotton purchasing firms located in Davidson disagreed on whether an official town cotton weigher should be appointed. After a heated election was held, a town cotton weigher was hired. The cotton purchasing firm which opposed the appointment decided to relocate much of its operations just south of the Davidson town limits. After heavy rains, the road on the hill leading into Davidson would become so muddy that many cotton farmers found it safer and more convenient to conduct their business just south of Davidson in a small frame building. The success of that cotton purchasing business later inspired its owners to construct a cotton mill where raw cotton could be converted into cloth. The owners of the cotton purchasing firm lacked the needed money to make the idea of a cotton mill a reality. Joseph Benjamin Cornelius supplied the needed investment and the mill was opened. Although not a resident of Cornelius, the town recognized the significant role of J.B. Cornelius, by naming the town Cornelius. Tap the green Continue Tour button on your phone

4

Antiquity Covered bridge

The Antiquity Bridge and street connects Cornelius to the nearby town of Davidson. An audio tour of the Town of Davidson is available on this PocketStreets app. Tap the green Continue Tour button on your phone

5

Antiquity Greenway

Turn left onto the Antiquity Greenway, which is a half-mile segment of the Town of Cornelius' growing collection of multiuse paths. It is part of the trail loop called the Emerald Necklace. Tap the green Continue Tour button on your phone

6

Biking Etiquette

A common practice of bike riding etiquette is to announce yourself when approaching persons from the rear who are walking in your direction of travel. A frequently used announcement is, "approaching on your left", which bike riders make in time for the walkers or runners to move to one side. Be alert for sudden movement of walkers and be especially cautious of walkers with dogs. Think "safety", for both walkers and yourself. Tap the green Continue Tour button on your phone

7

Virgin Springs ??

Before Cornelius was a settlement, this area was known as Virgin Springs. The location was about halfway on the road from Charlotte to Statesville. The spring was cool and fresh and was a good place to water and rest the horses. Settlers also rested and traded news. Today, the exact location of the spring is not known due to the alteration of the landscape as the town of Cornelius developed. Tap the green Continue Tour button on your phone

8

Antiquity Greenway

This is the end of the Antiquity Greenway. Exit the Greenway and proceed toward the Harris Teeter supermarket.Tap the green Continue Tour button on your phone

9

End of tour

The team at GeoTours thanks you for taking this tour. If you have comments, please email us at geotours4u@gmail.com. Return to the Pedego e-Bike shop