NEWS
History Lost and Found: Soon to be Lost Forever
The 1870 era house as visible from Highway 115.
If you have driven up NC 115 in recent weeks, you have likely seen the clearing of the large parcel of land on the west side of the road just before Bridges Farm Road.
Late last week, the clearing unveiled a long-hidden piece of history. An old 2-story house seemed to appear out of nowhere.
The address is officially listed as 1936 Mecklenburg Highway. According to Iredell County property records, the 2,816 square foot house sits on a large 75.2-acre parcel. As of 2023, the house was valued at $14,970. Meanwhile, the property was assessed at $2,089,180. On November 16, 2023, the historic house and the 75-acre parcel were sold for $7 million dollars. The buyer is listed as Arroyo Cap IV-2 LLC, and has a mailing address in Irvine, California. The company filed organizational paperwork in September 2023.
The view from Bridges Farm Road.
The Iredell County records also provide a few anecdotal details about the property. It is listed as a 4 bedroom, 1 bath home that was originally built in 1870. It has corrugated, sheet metal roofing and pine or soft woods interior floor covering. Not surprisingly, the records also reflect that the structure has no heating or air conditioning.
Tax records, dating back to 2011 reflect that heirs to Mrs. J.F. Carter were the owners of the property. In 2015, ownership changed to Aldo Properties II, LLC, a North Carolina-based company that was organized in 2014.
The farmhouse and 75-acres sit to the east of Davidson Pointe and to the west of Highway 115. In 2005 the master plan for the Davidson Pointe neighborhood was annexed into the Town of Davidson, making one of the more unique situations for Davidson. While the vast majority of Davidson is in Mecklenburg County, when you drive down Bridges Farm Rd in Iredell County you reach a “Welcome to the Town of Davidson” sign as you enter Davidson Pointe.
The newly cleared property sits due North of an 88-acre undeveloped parcel owned by Trane Technologies. Trane also owns the adjacent 60-acre Iredell County parcel on the waterfront. The company’s headquarters is located on the 60-acre parcel, and that parcel – while in Iredell County – was annexed into the Town of Davidson. The entrance to the headquarters is a 4.5-acre parcel in Mecklenburg County, also in the Town of Davidson.
The notional community design on the EPCON website.
More recently, EPCON Communities announced the pending construction of “The Courtyards at Lake Davidson, a 55+ active lifestyle community.” Their website describes the proposed community in the following manner:
“This boutique community will offer beautifully designed luxury ranch homes complete with abundant natural light, first-floor owner’s suites and private, outdoor courtyards. Plus, EPCON communities are designed to foster a sense of connection and encourage new friendships. Enjoy connecting with your neighbors and cultivating new friendships while you enjoy our modern amenities, including a community saltwater pool, clubhouse with fitness facility, pickleball court, kayak pavilion with launch, and green space.”
EPCON’s website for The Courtyards at Lake Davidson shows 6 different home styles, ranging from just over 1500 square feet to roughly 4000 square feet. The preliminary community site plan reflects 99 home sites. Meanwhile, there are evidently no plans to keep, restore, or move the historic home. Iredell County planning staff confirmed that the home is not on the National Historic Register.
Additionally, while the EPCON community could seek to be annexed into the Town of Davidson for access to water and sewer, the project was approved with community well and a septic pump system.
As we learn more about this project, and about this old house, we’ll write more.
Links to photos and and screenshots of preliminary plat document.