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{{Short description|County in North Carolina, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Rowan County | state = North Carolina | official_name = County of Rowan | ex image = Rowan County Courthouse.jpg | ex image cap = Rowan County Courthouse in [[Salisbury, North Carolina|Salisbury]] | flag = Rowan County Flag.gif | seal = Rowan County nc seal.jpg | logo = Rowan County Logo.png | motto = "Be an original." | founded title = Established | founded = {{Start date and age|1753|3|27|p=1|br=1}} | named for = [[Matthew Rowan]] | seat wl = Salisbury | largest city wl = Salisbury | city type = community | area_total_sq_mi = 523.95 | area_land_sq_mi = 511.61 | area_water_sq_mi = 12.34 | area percentage = 2.36 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_total = 146875 | pop_est_as_of = 2023 | population_est = 151661 {{gain}} | population_density_sq_mi = auto | coordinates = {{coord|35.64|-80.52|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}} | district = 6th | time zone = Eastern | web = www.rowancountync.gov }} '''Rowan County''' ({{IPAc-en|r|oΚ|Λ|Γ¦|n}} {{respell|roh|AN}}),<ref>{{cite web|title=NC Pronunciation Guide|url=https://www.wral.com/lifestyles/travel/blogpost/10331495/|publisher=WRAL|accessdate=August 16, 2023}}</ref><ref name="North Carolina Collection">[https://library.unc.edu/wilson/ncc/talk-like-a-tar-heel/ Talk Like a Tarheel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622041633/http://www.lib.unc.edu/ncc/ref/resources/tlth.html |date=June 22, 2013}}, from the North Carolina Collection website at the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]. Retrieved August 16, 2023.</ref> officially the '''County of Rowan''', is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the U.S. state of [[North Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 146,875.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> Its [[county seat]], [[Salisbury, North Carolina|Salisbury]], is the oldest continuously populated European-American town in the western half of North Carolina.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Rowan County is located northeast of [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]], and is considered part of the [[Charlotte metropolitan area]]. Established in 1753 from the upper part of [[Anson County, North Carolina|Anson County]], it was [[Namesake|named after]] [[Acting (law)|acting]] [[List of governors of the Province of North Carolina|North Carolina governor]] [[Matthew Rowan]]. Originally a vast territory with unlimited western boundaries, Rowan County was reduced in size to {{convert|524|sqmi}} after several counties were formed from it in the [[18th century|18th]] and [[19th century|19th]] centuries. ==History== ===16th century=== The first Europeans to enter what is now Rowan County were members of the Spanish expedition of [[Juan Pardo (explorer)|Juan Pardo]] in 1567. They established a fort and a mission in the native village of Guatari, believed to be located near the [[Yadkin River]] and inhabited by the [[Wateree people|Wateree]]. At the time, the area was ruled by a female chief whom the Spaniards called ''Guatari Mico'' (Mico was a term common among the Muskogee and Souian speaking peoples of the south to mean "chief" or "leader"). The Spaniards called the village Salamanca in honor of the city of [[Salamanca]] in western Spain, and established a mission, headed by a [[Secular clergy|secular priest]] named [[SebastiΓ‘n Montero]]. This fort was one of six that Pardo's expedition established before he returned separately to Spain in 1568. Small garrisons were stationed at each fort.<ref>{{Cite web |last = Simmons |first = Geitner |title = An unknown South: Pardo story helps Rowan learn about itself |publisher = [[Salisbury Post]] |date = August 29, 1999 |url = http://www.salisburypost.com/august/082999e.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103032146/http://www.salisburypost.com/august/082999e.htm |archive-date=November 3, 2006| access-date = January 11, 2013}}</ref> They were built into the interior, including across the mountains in what is now southeastern Tennessee. In 1568, Native Americans at each fort massacred all but one soldier in the garrisons. The Spanish never returned to this interior area in other colonizing attempts, instead concentrating their efforts in [[Spanish Florida]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Today in Asheville history: Explorer arrives|url=http://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2015/12/01/today-asheville-history-explorer-arrives/76598266/|journal=Citizen Times|date = December 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last = Simmons |first = Geitner |title = Understanding the "original Southerners" |publisher = [[Salisbury Post]] |date = August 22, 1999 |url = http://www.salisburypost.com/august/082299f.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103031011/http://www.salisburypost.com/august/082299f.htm |archive-date=November 3, 2006| access-date = January 11, 2013}}</ref> ===18th century=== English colonial settlement of North Carolina came decades later, starting in the coastal areas, where settlers migrated south from Virginia. Explorers and fur traders were the first to reach the Piedmont, paving the way for eventual settlers. Rowan County and [[Saint Luke|St. Luke]]'s Parish were established on March 27, 1753, from the upper part of Anson County, [[Province of North Carolina|North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite book |ref={{harvid|''Complete Revisal of All the Acts of Assembly'',|1773}} |date=1773 |title=A Complete Revisal of All the Acts of Assembly, of the Province of North-Carolina, Now in Force and Use.: Together With the Titles of All Such Laws as are Obsolete, Expired, or Repealed.: With Marginal Notes and References, and an Exact Table to the Whole |url=https://archive.org/details/completerevisalo1773nort |location=Newbern |publisher=James Davis |p=154 |oclc=1042380338 |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> It was named for Matthew Rowan, acting governor of North Carolina from 1753 to 1754. It was intended to incorporate all of the lands of the [[Granville District]] that had previously been included in Anson County.<ref>{{cite book|author=Rumple, Jethro|title=A History of Rowan County, North Carolina|publisher=Daughters of the American Revolution, Elizabeth Maxwell Steele Chapter (Salisbury, N.C.)|year=1916|page=59}}</ref> A house several miles west of present-day Salisbury in "the Irish settlement" served as the first courthouse starting June 15, 1753. [[Daniel Boone]]'s father Squire Boone served as one of the first [[magistrate]]s. By mid-1754 a new courthouse site was selected near "the place where the Old Waggon Road (crosses) over Grant's Creek."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2021/10/10/rowan-countys-first-courthouse/|title=Rowan County's first courthouse|last=Freeze|first=Gary|work=[[Salisbury Post]]|date=October 10, 2021}}</ref> As was typical of the time, Rowan County was originally a vast territory with an indefinite western boundary. As the population increased in the region, portions were taken to organize other counties and their seats. In 1770, the eastern portion was combined with the western part of [[Orange County, North Carolina|Orange County]] to form [[Guilford County, North Carolina|Guilford County]]. In 1771 the northeastern portion of what was left became [[Surry County, North Carolina|Surry County]]. In 1777 the western part of Rowan County was organized as [[Burke County, North Carolina|Burke County]].<ref name='Formation'/> After the [[American Revolutionary War]], in 1788, the western portion of the now much smaller Rowan County was organized as [[Iredell County, North Carolina|Iredell County]]. ===19th century=== In 1822, [[Davidson County, North Carolina|Davidson County]] was formed from an eastern section. Finally, in 1836, that part of Rowan County north of the [[Yadkin River|South Yadkin River]] became [[Davie County, North Carolina|Davie County]], and Rowan County took its present form and size.<ref name='Formation'>{{cite book|title=Formation of North Carolina Counties, 1663β1943|url=http://digital.ncdcr.gov/cdm/ref/collection/p16062coll9/id/289959|author=Corbitt, David Leroy|year=1987|publisher=State Department of Archives and History|pages=185β188}}</ref> Since Rowan County was developed for tobacco, cotton cultivation, and mixed farming in the antebellum period, many of the plantation owners and some farmers were dependent on enslaved labor. Cotton and tobacco continued as a commodity crop after the war and into the 20th century. The population of Rowan County was 27.1 percent slaves in 1860.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/slavery|title=Slavery|website=NCPEDIA|access-date=February 27, 2021}}</ref> During and following the [[Reconstruction era]], the state legislature encouraged investment in railways, which had not occurred before. In addition, textile mills were built here and elsewhere in the Piedmont, bringing back cotton processing and manufacturing from centers in New York and New England. Urban populations increased. ===20th century=== At the turn of the 20th century, after losing to Republican-Populist fusionist candidates, Democrats regained power and passed laws erecting barriers to voter registration to [[Disfranchisement after Reconstruction era|disenfranchise most Blacks]]. Together with the passage of Jim Crow laws, which suppressed Blacks socially, these measures ended the progress of African Americans in the state, after Republican men had already been serving in Congress. [[Charles Aycock]] and [[Robert Broadnax Glenn|Robert Glenn]], who were elected as state governors in 1900 and 1904, respectively, ran political campaigns to appeal to Whites. Six [[Lynching in the United States|lynchings of African Americans]] were recorded in Rowan County from the late 19th into the early 20th centuries. This was the second-highest total of killings in the state, a number of extrajudicial murders that two other counties also had.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eji.org/sites/default/files/lynching-in-america-third-edition-summary.pdf|title=Lynching in America'', 3rd edition, Supplement: Lynching by County, Montgomery, Alabama: Equal Justice Initiative|year=2017|access-date=June 8, 2018|archive-date=October 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023063004/https://eji.org/sites/default/files/lynching-in-america-third-edition-summary.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The racial terrorism of lynchings enforced White suppression of African Americans. In 1902, brothers James and Harrison Gillespie, aged 11 and 13, were lynched by a White mob for allegedly killing a young White woman working in a field.<ref name="wood">[https://southernspaces.org/2012/lynching-and-local-history-review-troubled-ground Amy Louise Wood, "Lynching and Local History: A Review of 'Troubled Ground'"], ''Southern Spaces'', May 8, 2012; accessed June 8, 2018</ref> In August 1906, six African-American men were arrested as suspects in the murder of a farm family. That evening, a White mob stormed the county jail in Salisbury, freeing all the White prisoners, interrogating the Black ones, and taking out Jack Dillingham, Nease Gillespie, and his son John. The mob hanged the three men from a tree in a field, mutilated and tortured them, and shot them numerous times.<ref name="wood"/> A center of textile manufacturing spanning from the late 19th to the late 20th century, the county has worked to attract new industries, after many textile manufacturing occupations moved offshore to lower wage markets during the late 20th century. ===21st century=== In 2003, the county held the "250 Fest", celebrating its 250th anniversary.<ref name='Dispatch'>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-dispatch.com/news/20030412/congrats-rowan-county-on-250-years-and-a-happy-birthday-to-davidson-as-well|title=Congrats Rowan County on 250 Years and a Happy Birthday to Davidson as Well|date=April 12, 2003|author=The Dispatch|access-date=June 15, 2019|archive-date=September 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918135212/https://www.the-dispatch.com/news/20030412/congrats-rowan-county-on-250-years-and-a-happy-birthday-to-davidson-as-well|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Geography== {{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q507966|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Rowan County}} According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|524|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|523.95|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|12.32|sqmi}} (2.36%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files β North Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_37.txt |access-date=September 9, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The county's eastern border is formed by the [[Yadkin River]]. North of Ellis Crossroads, the [[South Yadkin River]] meets the Yadkin. The South Yadkin forms the county's northern border with Davie County. The southern border is an eastβwest line that bisects the city of [[Kannapolis]]. ===State and local protected areas/sites=== * [[Bell Tower Green]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2023 |title=Bell Tower Green - Cultivating Community - Salisbury, NC |url=https://belltowergreen.com/ |access-date=April 24, 2023 |website=Bell Tower Green β Salisbury, NC |language=en-US}}</ref> * [[Eagle Point Nature Preserve]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eagle Point Nature Preserve |url=https://www.rowancountync.gov/457/Eagle-Point-Nature-Preserve |access-date=July 27, 2022 |website=www.rowancountync.gov}}</ref> * [[Gold Hill Mines Historic Park]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gold History is on display in this restored mining town |url=https://historicgoldhill.org/ |access-date=July 27, 2022 |website=Historic Gold Hill |language=en-US}}</ref> * [[Lake Corriher Wilderness Park]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Lake Corriher Wilderness Park |url=https://www.visitrowancountync.com/listing/lake-corriher-wilderness-park/490/ |access-date=July 27, 2022 |website=www.visitrowancountync.com |language=en-us}}</ref> * [[North Carolina Transportation Museum]] * [[Second Creek Game Land]]<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands">{{Cite web |title=NCWRC Game Lands |url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/gamelands |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=www.ncpaws.org}}</ref> * [[Yadkin River Game Land]] (part)<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands"/> ===Major water bodies=== * [[Cold Water Creek (Irish Buffalo Creek tributary)|Cold Water Creek]] * [[Dutch Buffalo Creek]] * [[High Rock Lake]] * [[Irish Buffalo Creek]] * [[Kannapolis Lake (North Carolina)|Kannapolis Lake]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fishing in Kannapolis Lake |url=https://fishbrain.com/fishing-waters/56_iSGMq/kannapolis-lake |access-date=July 27, 2022 |website=Fishbrain |language=en}}</ref> * [[Lake Corriher (North Carolina)|Lake Corriher]]<ref name=":0" /> * [[Lake Fisher (North Carolina)|Lake Fisher]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lake Fisher |url=https://concordnc.gov/Departments/Parks-Recreation/Lake-Fisher |access-date=July 27, 2022 |website=concordnc.gov}}</ref> * [[Lake Wright (North Carolina)|Lake Wright]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lake Wright (in Rowan County, NC) |url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,2,fid,997662,n,lake%20wright.cfm |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=northcarolina.hometownlocator.com}}</ref> * [[South Yadkin River]] * [[Tuckertown Reservoir]] * [[Yadkin River]] ===Adjacent counties=== * [[Cabarrus County, North Carolina|Cabarrus County]] β south * [[Davidson County, North Carolina|Davidson County]] β east * [[Davie County, North Carolina|Davie County]] β north * [[Iredell County, North Carolina|Iredell County]] β west * [[Stanly County, North Carolina|Stanly County]] β southeast ===Major highways=== {{div col}} * {{Jct|state=NC|I|85}} * {{Jct|state=NC|US|29}} * {{Jct|state=NC|US|52}} * {{Jct|state=NC|US|70}} * {{Jct|state=NC|US|601}} * {{Jct|state=NC|NC|8}} * {{Jct|state=NC|NC|49}} * {{Jct|state=NC|NC|150}} * {{Jct|state=NC|NC|152}} * {{Jct|state=NC|NC|153}} * {{Jct|state=NC|NC|801}} {{div col end}} [[Interstate 85]] passes through the county from southwest to northeast. In the early 2000s, I-85 was widened<ref>{{cite web|url= http://wwwapps.rowancountync.gov/es/I85/i-85.htm|title= Rowan Emergency Services|access-date= April 12, 2010|date= November 16, 2009|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110721062432/http://wwwapps.rowancountync.gov/es/I85/i-85.htm|archive-date= July 21, 2011}}</ref> in the central and northern part of the county, from exit 68, [[US 29 Connector]], north almost to the Davidson County line. A new bridge over the Yadkin River was also built.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.governor.state.nc.us/eTownhall/Blog/post/2009/03/12/Yadkin-River-Bridge-Replacement.aspx|title= Office of the Governor of North Carolina|access-date= April 12, 2010|date= March 12, 2009}}</ref> [[U.S. Route 70 in North Carolina|U.S. Route 70]] enters the northwestern part of Rowan County, west of Cleveland. It runs southeast into Salisbury, where it follows Jake Alexander Boulevard to the southeast and joins US 29 North as Main Street. US 70 continues northeast as Main Street; it is called Salisbury Avenue in Spencer before crossing into Davidson County. [[U.S. Route 29]] forms Main Street in Kannapolis, China Grove, and Landis in the southern part of the county. It joins US 70 as Main Street through Salisbury, and as Salisbury Avenue in Spencer. [[U.S. Route 52]] is the main artery for the southeastern part of the county, serving the towns of Gold Hill, Rockwell, and Granite Quarry. Just before reaching downtown Salisbury, US-52 joins Interstate 85, which it follows into Davidson county. ===Major infrastructure=== * [[Mid-Carolina Regional Airport]], near Salisbury * [[Salisbury station (North Carolina)|Salisbury Station]] ==Demographics== {{US Census population |1790= 15972 |1800= 20060 |1810= 21543 |1820= 26009 |1830= 20786 |1840= 12109 |1850= 13870 |1860= 14589 |1870= 16810 |1880= 19965 |1890= 24123 |1900= 31066 |1910= 37521 |1920= 44062 |1930= 56665 |1940= 69206 |1950= 75410 |1960= 82817 |1970= 90035 |1980= 99186 |1990= 110605 |2000= 130340 |2010= 138446 |2020= 146875 |estyear=2023 |estimate=151661 |estref=<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 19, 2015}}</ref><br />1790β1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 19, 2015|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1900β1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=January 19, 2015|archive-date=March 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303125436/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />1990β2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=January 19, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37159.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 29, 2013|archive-date=December 13, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121213024110/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37159.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/rowancountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Rowan County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref> }} ===2020 census=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right" |+Rowan County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37159&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 21, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> !scope="col"| Race !scope="col"| Number !scope="col"| Percentage |- !scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic) | 100,135 | 68.18% |- !scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic) | 22,730 | 15.48% |- !scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] | 444 | 0.3% |- !scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] | 1,505 | 1.02% |- !scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] | 71 | 0.05% |- !scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] | 6,050 | 4.12% |- !scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] | 15,940 | 10.85% |} As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 146,875 people, 55,241 households, and 37,900 families residing in the county. ===2010 census=== At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 138,428 people, 53,140 [[households]], and 37,058 [[families]] residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|270.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 60,211 housing units at an average density of {{convert|117.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 76.52% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 16.18% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.34% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.00% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.035% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 4.33% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.60% from two or more races. 7.69% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. Of the 53,140 households, 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.20% were married couples living together, 8.49% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.41% had a male householder with no wife and 30.26% were non-families. 25.22% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.15% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.00. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 27.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.57 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.28 males. According to the 2000 Census,<ref name="GR8"/> The median income for a household in the county was $37,494, and the median income for a family was $44,242. Males had a median income of $31,626 versus $23,437 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,071. About 8.10% of families and 10.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.70% of those under age 18 and 11.40% of those age 65 or over. ==Law, government, and politics== The primary governing body of Rowan County is a [[councilβmanager government]]. The five-member [[county commission|board of commissioners]] are elected from single-member districts. As a group, they hire the [[County manager (United States)|county manager]], who is responsible for operations. The current County Manager is Aaron Church. The current Commissioners are Greg Edds (chairman), Jim Greene (Vice-chairman), Judy Klusman, Mike Caskey, and Craig Pierce. Commissioners are elected to four-year terms, with three being elected during midterm national elections, and two being elected during presidential election years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Board of Commissioners|url=http://www.co.rowan.nc.us/GOVERNMENT/Commission.aspx|work=Rowan County website|publisher=Rowan County, NC|access-date=October 25, 2011}}</ref> The commission passes the Code of Ordinances for the county.<ref>[http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=12313 Rowan County Code of Ordinances].</ref> Rowan County is a member of the regional [[Councils of governments in North Carolina|Centralina Council of Governments]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centralina.org/|title=Centralina Council of Governments|access-date=August 10, 2019}}</ref> ===County commission prayer=== In 2013 the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] filed suit on behalf of three Rowan county residents against the county commission's practice of starting their meeting with sectarian prayers by the commissioners, who instructed attendees to stand and join in. A federal district court issued an [[injunction]] forbidding the county commissioners from praying at their meetings.<ref>{{Bluebook journal |first=|last=Note| title=Fourth Circuit Holds that County Commissionersβ Practice of Offering Sectarian Prayers at Public Meetings Is Unconstitutional| volume=131 | journal=[[Harvard Law Review|Harv. L. Rev.]] | page=626| url=https://harvardlawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/626-633_Online.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906021240/https://harvardlawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/626-633_Online.pdf |archive-date=September 6, 2019 |url-status=live| year=2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite court |litigants=Lund v. Rowan County|vol=103|reporter=F.Supp.3d |opinion=712 |court=M.D.N.C.|date=2015|url= https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=10684519485631111095}}</ref> After a divided panel of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit]] found that the prayers did not violate the [[Establishment Clause]] of the [[United States Constitution]], the full court sitting ''[[en banc]]'' disagreed and affirmed the injunction.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rowan County meeting prayers being reconsidered by federal appeals court |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article111765172.html |access-date=January 10, 2019 |newspaper=Charlotte Observer}}</ref><ref>{{cite court |litigants=Lund v. Rowan County|vol=863|reporter=F.3d |opinion=268 |court=4th Cir.|date=2017 (en banc|url= https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=17044303360687752971}}</ref> The [[Supreme Court of the United States]] declined to review, over the written dissent of two justices.<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Rowan County v. Lund|vol=138|reporter=S.Ct.|opinion=2564 |date=2018|url= https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=8961231407468221769 }}</ref><ref>{{Bluebook journal |first=|last=Note| title=Pressure to Pray? Thinking beyond the Coercion Test for Legislator-Led Prayer| volume=86 | journal=[[University of Chicago Law Review|U. Chicago L. Rev.]] | page=151| url=https://lawreview.uchicago.edu/sites/lawreview.uchicago.edu/files/03%20Taxy_CMT_Post-SA%20%28KT%29.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801220935/https://lawreview.uchicago.edu/sites/lawreview.uchicago.edu/files/03%20Taxy_CMT_Post-SA%20%28KT%29.pdf |archive-date=August 1, 2020 |url-status=live| year=2017}}</ref> In 2019, the county was forced to pay $285,000 to the ACLU for the plaintiffs' legal fees because it had lost the lawsuit.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bergeron |first1=Josh |title=Rowan County commissioners to pay $285,000 after losing prayer lawsuit |url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2019/01/07/rowan-county-commissioners-to-pay-285000-after-losing-prayer-lawsuit/ |access-date=January 10, 2019 |publisher=Salisbury Post}}</ref> ===Law enforcement and judicial system=== Rowan County lies within the bounds of North Carolina's 27th Prosecutorial District, the 19C [[North Carolina Superior Court|Superior Court]] District, and the 19C District Court District.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/rowan-county| title = Rowan County| publisher = North Carolina Judicial Branch| access-date = May 21, 2023}}</ref> The Rowan County Sheriff's Office was founded in 1753 when Rowan County was created from Anson County. Its duties include [[courthouse]] security, civil process, operation of [[detention facility]], investigations and community patrol. It has over 200 employees, most of which are sworn deputies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sheriff's Office {{!}} Rowan County |url=https://www.rowancountync.gov/485/Sheriffs-Office#:~:text=The%20Rowan%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Office,16%20part-time%20civilian%20staff. |access-date=November 3, 2022 |website=www.rowancountync.gov}}</ref> The current [[Sheriffs in the United States|Sheriff]] of Rowan County is Kevin L. Auten, who was appointed after the retirement of George Wilhelm in 2009. Auten won election to a full term in his own right in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=Salisbury Post staff votes on the biggest stories of the year|url=http://ourdavie.com/News/123110-top-10-stories-of-2010-qcd|access-date=December 18, 2011|newspaper=Salisbury Post.|date=December 31, 2010}}</ref> The Rowan County Sheriff's Office won the J. Stannard Baker Award, a national award for outstanding achievement in [[highway safety]], in 2003.<ref name="Website">{{cite web|url=http://www.rowansheriff.org|title=Rowan County, North Carolina Sheriffs Office|accessdate=August 24, 2019|website=RowanSheriff.org}}</ref><ref name="Conner" /> {{collapse top|title=List of past sheriffs}} *1753β1754 Unknown *1754β1758 David Jones<ref name="McKaughan">{{cite book|title=Journal of Backcountry Studies, People of Desperate Fortune: Power and Populations in the North Carolina Backcountry|author=McKaughan, Joshua Lee}}</ref><ref name="Lewis" /><ref name="Visitor" /> *1758β1759 Edward Hughes<ref name="McKaughan" /><ref name="Lewis" /><ref name="Visitor" /> *1759β1763 Benjamin Miller (Milner)<ref name="McKaughan" /><ref name="Visitor" /> *1763β1764 William Nassery<ref name="Visitor">{{cite book|title=A Colonial History of Rowan County, North Carolina|page=33|author=Irvin, Samuel Jr.|publisher=University of North Carolina, Edwards & Broughton Printing Company, Raleigh, North Carolina|year=1917|url=http://ncvisitorcenter.com/History_of_Rowan_County.html|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref><ref name="McKaughan" /> *1764β1767 [[Francis Locke, Sr.|Francis Locke]]<ref name="booklet">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/northcarolinaboo1910nort#page/14/mode/2up/search/locke|title=Sketch of Colonel Francis Locke; McCorkle, George; "The North Carolina Booklet β Great Events in North Carolina History|pages=12β21|via=[[Archive.org]]|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Lewis" /><ref name="Visitor" /> *1767β1768 [[Griffith Rutherford]]<ref name="booklet" /><ref name="Lewis" /><ref name="Visitor" /> *1768β1769 Andrew Allison<ref name="Lewis">{{cite book|title=Artisans in the North Carolina Backcountry|author=Lewis, Johanna Miller|page=119}}</ref><ref name="Visitor" /> *1769β1769 Adam Allison (August 11 β November 16)<ref name="Lewis" /> *1770β1770 No Sheriff<ref name="Visitor" /> *1771β1771 William Temple Coles<ref name="Lewis" /><ref name="Visitor" /> *1771β1772 James McKay *1772β1774 Daniel Little, Esq. *1774β1777 James Kerr *1777β1779 Galbraith Falls *1779β1779 George Henry Berger (February 2, 1779{{endash}}May 5, 1779)<ref name="Rowan">{{cite book|title=The Rowan Story, a Narrative History of Rowan County, North Carolina|year=1953|author=Brawley, James|asin=B0007ECLVK|publisher=The Rowan Print Company|url=https://archive.org/details/rowanstory17531900braw}}</ref> *1779β1779 Samuel Hughey (May 6 β November 3) *1779β1780 Josiah Rounsevall, Esq. (November 3 β May 3) *1780β1780 Moses Winslow, Esq. (May 3 β August 9) *1780β1781 William Brandon, Esq. (August 9 β May 9) *1781β1781 Peter Faust (May 9 β August 7) *1781β1782 James Craige *1782β1785 John Brevard Jr.<ref name="Iredell">{{cite web|url=http://www.iredellsheriff.com/693/History|title=History of the Iredell County Sheriffs|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref> *1785β1786 John Brevard Sr. *1786β1787 Hugh Terrence (Torrence, Torrance, Tarrants)<ref>later became first sheriff of [[Iredell County, North Carolina]]</ref><ref name="Iredell" /> *1787β1790 Lewis Beard *1790β1792 Isaac Jones *1792β1794 John Braly (Brawley) Jr. *1794β1808 John Troy *1808β1813 Edward Chambers *1813β1814 John Smith, Esq. *1814β1818 Alexander Frohock *1818β1820 John Beard, Esq. *1820β1824 Samuel Jones *1824β1826 Charles Fisher *1826β1828 Isaac D. Jones *1828β1837 Fielding Slater *1837β1841 John H. Hardie *1841β1849 Richard W. Long *1849β1858 Caleb Kluttz<ref name="Conner">{{cite web|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/kluttz-theodore-franklin|author=Conner, Suzy|year=1988|title=Theodore Franklin Kluttz|website=NCPedia.org|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref> *1858β1865 W. A. Walton *1865β1866 Solomon Kluttz *1867β1872 W. A. Walton *1872β1880 C. F. Waggoner *1880β1890 Charles C. Krider *1890β1900 J. M. Monroe *1900β1906 D. R. Julian *1906β1908 Hodge Krider (father of J. H. Krider) *1908β1914 J. H. McKenzie *1914β1928 J. H. Krider *1928β1930 R. P. Lyerly *1930β1931 W. Locke McKenzie<ref name="Locke">{{cite web|url=http://names.lawmemorial.org/officers/m/w-locke-mckenzie.html|title=W. Locke McKenzie|accessdate=August 24, 2019|website=National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund}}</ref> *1931β1932 Cal Miller *1932β1950 J. H. Krider *1950β1966 Arthur J. Shuping *1966β1986 John Stirewalt<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sims |first=Patsy |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/34705004 |title=The Klan |date=1996 |publisher=University Press of Kentucky |isbn=0-8131-1994-4 |edition=2 |location=Lexington, KY |oclc=34705004|page=39}}</ref> *1986β1986 Junius L. Bost (February β December) *1986β1998 Robert G. Martin *1998β2009 George A. Wilhelm<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2009/12/01/commissioners-to-pick-interim-sheriff/|title=Commissionaers to Pick Interim Sheriff|accessdate=August 24, 2019|work=Salisbury Post|date=December 1, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Post">{{cite news|title=Salisbury Post staff votes on the biggest stories of the year|url=http://ourdavie.com/News/123110-top-10-stories-of-2010-qcd|accessdate=December 18, 2011|newspaper=Salisbury Post.|date=December 31, 2010}}</ref> *2010βpres. Kevin L. Auten (served as acting head while chief deputy from the time former sheriff Wilhelm resigned until Auten was appointed as sheriff in 2010)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rowancountync.gov/directory.aspx?EID=160|title=Rowan Sheriffs Office Directory, Kevin L. Auten|accessdate=August 24, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Post" /> {{collapse bottom}} {{PresHead|place=Rowan County, North Carolina|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 17, 2018}}</ref>}} <!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} --> {{PresRow|2024|Republican|50,807|23,788|799|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|49,297|23,114|997|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|42,810|19,400|2,159|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|38,775|22,650|887|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|37,451|23,391|718|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|34,915|16,735|217|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|28,922|14,891|320|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1996|Republican|22,754|13,461|3,058|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1992|Republican|21,297|14,308|7,127|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|23,192|12,127|97|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|25,207|10,643|57|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|18,566|11,671|872|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1976|Democratic|14,644|15,363|222|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|20,735|6,834|705|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|15,207|8,074|9,220|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1964|Democratic|14,804|14,934|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|17,726|12,919|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|17,562|9,761|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|17,535|11,296|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1948|Democratic|5,722|6,799|3,181|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1944|Democratic|5,862|9,721|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1940|Democratic|4,059|13,023|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|4,306|12,808|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|4,464|9,782|180|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|7,957|4,783|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1924|Democratic|3,560|4,816|738|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1920|Democratic|4,888|6,421|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|2,320|3,053|0|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1912|Democratic|280|2,748|1,596|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1908|Democratic|2,009|2,392|61|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1904|Democratic|1,215|2,424|20|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1900|Democratic|1,555|2,460|275|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1896|Democratic|1,468|3,095|37|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1892|Democratic|876|2,303|832|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1888|Democratic|1,274|2,732|58|North Carolina}} {{PresRow|1884|Democratic|1,372|2,642|0|North Carolina}} {{PresFoot|1880|Democratic|1,377|2,035|0|North Carolina}} ==Education== ===Colleges=== * [[Catawba College]], founded in 1851<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catawba.edu/|title=About Catawaba College|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref> * [[Livingstone College]], founded in 1879<ref name=VisitRowan>{{cite web|url=https://www.visitsalisburync.com/plan/colleges/|title=Visit Rowan County|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref> * [[Rowan-Cabarrus Community College]]. (Otherwise known as RCCC), founded in 1963<ref name=VisitRowan/> * Hood Theological Seminary, founded in 1885, became independent in 2001<ref name=VisitRowan/> * [[Campbell University]], teaching hospital at Novant Health, Rowan Medical Center, started in 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.campbell.edu/articles/campbell-announces-teaching-hospital-agreement-with-novant-health-rowan-medical-center/|title=Campbell announces teaching hospital agreement with Novant Health Rowan Medical Center|access-date=February 10, 2019}}</ref> ===RowanβSalisbury School System=== {{main|RowanβSalisbury School System}} The RowanβSalisbury School System is a [[Pre-kindergarten|PK]]-[[Twelfth grade|12]] graded [[school district]] covering nearly all of Rowan County. The 35 schools in the district serve 20,887 students as of 2009β2010.{{NCES District ID|3704050|district_name=Rowan-salisbury Schools|access_date=October 29, 2011|do_not_render=yes}} It was formed in 1989 with the merger of Rowan County Schools and Salisbury City Schools.<ref name="centraloffice">{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Sarah|title=Developer offers plans for central office downtown for schools|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/070111-School-board-central-office-qcd|access-date=October 26, 2011|newspaper=Salisbury Post|date=July 1, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703134140/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/070111-School-board-central-office-qcd|archive-date=July 3, 2011}}</ref> ===Kannapolis City Schools=== {{main|Kannapolis City Schools}} Students living in the portion of [[Kannapolis, North Carolina|Kannapolis]] located in Rowan County (the city is mostly in [[Cabarrus County]]) attend Kannapolis city schools. Their public school system operates independently of the countywide school systems. ===Private schools=== * North Hills Christian School β (pre-school through high school) * Rockwell Christian School (pre-school through high school) * Sacred Heart Catholic School β (elementary through middle school) * Salisbury Academy β (pre-kindergarten through middle school) * Salisbury Adventist School ===Libraries=== * [[Rowan Public Library]] ** Headquarters (Salisbury) ** East Branch (Rockwell) ** Frank T. Tadlock South Rowan Regional Library (China Grove) ** West Branch (Cleveland) ==Media== The [[Salisbury Post]], founded in 1905, is a local newspaper that is published several days a week. ==Communities== [[File:Map of Rowan County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|300px|Map of Rowan County with municipal and township labels]] ===Cities=== * [[Kannapolis, North Carolina|Kannapolis]] (mostly in Cabarrus County; incorporated in 1984) * [[Salisbury, North Carolina|Salisbury]] (county seat and largest community; founded in 1753; first post master George Lauman, June 12, 1792)<ref name="LewisPO"/> ===Towns=== {{div col}} * [[China Grove, North Carolina|China Grove]] (post office first established on November 27, 1823, with Noah Partee as postmaster; also called Luthersville in 1846β1849 and Eufaula 1855β1859)<ref name="LewisPO"/> * [[Cleveland, North Carolina|Cleveland]] (first postmaster William A. Allison, March 3, 1887; was Third Creek 1884β1887, postmaster William L. Allison; was Rowan Mills 1856β1884, was Cowansville 1831β1856, first postmaster John Cowan)<ref name="LewisPO"/> * [[East Spencer, North Carolina|East Spencer]] (first postmaster William J. Hatley, February 12, 1913)<ref name="LewisPO"/> * [[Faith, North Carolina|Faith]] (first postmaster John W. Frick, January 24, 1889, to July 16, 1906; reestablished February 26, 1932, with Lawson J. McCombs postmaster))<ref name="LewisPO"/> * [[Granite Quarry, North Carolina|Granite Quarry]] (founded in the 1800s; originally called Woodsides, first postmaster was John F. Wiley, August 7, 1891, to January 14, 1902; first postmaster was William S. Brown, January 15, 1902)<ref name="LewisPO"/> * [[Landis, North Carolina|Landis]] (first postmaster was Joel Corriher, July 17, 1902)<ref name="LewisPO"/> * [[Rockwell, North Carolina|Rockwell]] (first postmaster was Peter Miller, March 1, 1872)<ref name="LewisPO"/> * [[Spencer, North Carolina|Spencer]] (founded in 1896; first postmaster Hugh Smith, July 15, 1897)<ref name="LewisPO"/> {{div col end}} ===Census-designated places=== * [[Enochville, North Carolina|Enochville]] (chartered town from 1874 to 1977) * [[Gold Hill, North Carolina|Gold Hill]] (post office established on May 15, 1844, Robert E. Rives first postmaster)<ref name="LewisPO"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Gold Hill CDP, North Carolina|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US3726800|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=April 7, 2022}}</ref> ===Unincorporated communities=== * Barber (also known as Barber Junction; post office opened May 11, 1900; first postmaster John T. Barber)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Barber or Barber Junction|url=http://www.carolinaxroads.com/2020/07/barber-or-barber-junction.html|website=carolinaxroads}}</ref><ref name="LewisPO"/> * [[Bear Poplar, North Carolina|Bear Poplar]] (post office from September 12, 1878, to February 11, 1966, Lucy J. Kistler first postmaster)<ref name="LewisPO"/> * Bellemeade<ref>{{cite web|title=Bellemeade (Rowan County, NC)|url=https://roadsidethoughts.com/nc/bellemeade-xx-rowan-profile.htm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * [[Bostian Heights, North Carolina|Bostian Heights]] (formerly Bostians, Post office: August 6, 1875, to July 16, 1877, Sophia L. Bostian as first postmaster)<ref name="LewisPO">{{cite web|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Towns/Rowan_POs.htm|title=Rowan County Post Offices, 1785 to 1971|access-date=July 4, 2019}}</ref> * Correll Park<ref>{{cite web|title=Cities and Towns in Rowan County, North Carolina|url=https://www.countryaah.com/cities-and-towns-in-rowan-county-north-carolina/|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Correll Park|url=https://places.us.com/north-carolina/correll-park/|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Craven (post office from October 30, 1882, to October 15, 1915; first postmaster Allen H. Newsome)<ref name="LewisPO"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/rowan-county-1753/|title=Rowan County (1753)|last=Martin|first=Jonathan|publisher=North Carolina History Project|accessdate=May 21, 2019}}</ref> * [[Crescent, North Carolina|Crescent]] (post office from March 5, 1898, to May 29, 1925, J.M.L. Lyerly first postmaster)<ref name="LewisPO"/> * [[Dogwood Acres, Rowan County, North Carolina|Dogwood Acres]] * [[Dukeville, North Carolina|Dukeville]] * Ellis Crossroads<ref>{{cite web|title=Ellis Park|url=https://www.rowancountync.gov/460/Ellis-Park|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ellis Crossroads (Rowan County, NC)|url=https://roadsidethoughts.com/nc/ellis-crossroads-xx-rowan-profile.htm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Five Forks<ref>{{cite web|title=Five Forks (Rowan County, NC)|url=https://roadsidethoughts.com/nc/five-forks-xx-rowan-profile.htm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Five Points<ref>{{cite web|title=Five Points (Rowan County, NC)|url=https://roadsidethoughts.com/nc/five-points-xx-rowan-profile.htm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Franklin<ref name="The Known Towns/Villages in NC That Never Had a Post Office"/> * [[Liberty, Rowan County, North Carolina|Liberty]] * [[Mill Bridge, North Carolina|Mill Bridge]] (post office from July 23, 1874, to September 30, 1903, Mary E. McCublin first postmaster)<ref name="LewisPO"/><ref name='MillBridge'>{{cite web|url=http://digital.ncdcr.gov/cdm/fullbrowser/collection/p16062coll6/id/8102/rv/compoundobject/cpd/8433|title=Historical Research Report of Kerr Mill and Mill Bridge Community, Rowan County|author=Cheeseman, Bruce S.|access-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref> * Morgan Ford<ref>{{cite web|title=Morgan Ford (Rowan County, NC)|url=https://roadsidethoughts.com/nc/morgan-ford-xx-rowan-profile.htm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * [[Mount Ulla Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Mount Ulla]] (formerly Wood Grove, post office from April 12, 1830, to April 22, 1843, first postmaster Julius J. Reeves; Mount Ulla post office from April 22, 1843, to October 24, 1899 (spelled Mountulla in 1894), first postmaster James Cowan; known as Rowan from October 24 to November 22, 1899; Mount Ulla post office re-established on November 22, 1899, with Adam E. Sherrill postmaster)<ref name="LewisPO"/> * Mount Vernon (post office from May 27, 1822, to February 29, 1904; first postmaster Jacob Krider)<ref name="LewisPO"/> * Needmore<ref>{{cite web|title=Needmore (Rowan County, NC)|url=https://roadsidethoughts.com/nc/needmore-xx-rowan-profile.htm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Orchard Hills<ref>{{cite web|title=Orchard Hills (Rowan County, NC)|url=https://roadsidethoughts.com/nc/orchard-hills-xx-rowan-profile.htm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * [[Pittsburg, North Carolina|Pittsburg]]<ref name="The Known Towns/Villages in NC That Never Had a Post Office">{{cite web|title=The Known Towns/Villages in NC That Never Had a Post Office|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Towns/NC_Towns_With_No_POs_1765_to_1900.htm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Pooletown (first known as Pool; post office from February 6, 1872, to September 15, 1906; first postmaster John F. Hodges)<ref name="LewisPO"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Pooletown Populated Place Profile|url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/nc/rowan/pooletown.cfm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Sandy Ridge Terrace<ref>{{cite web|title=Sandy Ridge Terrace Populated Place Profile|url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/nc/rowan/sandy-ridge-terrace.cfm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Shannon Park<ref>{{cite web|title=Shannon Park, Salisbury, NC, United States|url=https://www.city-facts.com/shannon-park-salisbury/population|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Shupings Mill<ref>{{cite web|title=Shupings Mill Populated Place Profile|url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/nc/rowan/shupings-mill.cfm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Timbercreek<ref>{{cite web|title=Timbercreek (Rowan County, NC)|url=https://roadsidethoughts.com/nc/timbercreek-xx-rowan-profile.htm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Trading Ford (post office from April 4, 1890, to January 15, 1906; first postmaster George W. Long)<ref name="LewisPO"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Trading Ford|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/trading-ford|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Union Terrace<ref>{{cite web|title=Union Terrace, Township of Providence, Rowan County, North Carolina, United States|url=https://www.mindat.org/feature-4496291.html|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Watson Village (formerly known as Watsonville; post office from July 20, 1874, to June 30, 1903; first postmaster William F. Watson)<ref name="LewisPO"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Watson Village Populated Place Profile|url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/nc/rowan/watson-village.cfm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Westcliff<ref>{{cite web|title=Westcliff - Rowan, NC, USA|url=http://wikiedit.org/USA/Westcliff/5083821|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Westcliff Populated Place Profile|url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/nc/rowan/westcliff.cfm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Woodbine<ref>{{cite web|title=Woodbine Populated Place Profile|url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/nc/rowan/woodbine.cfm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * Woodbridge Run<ref>{{cite web|title=Woodbridge Run Populated Place Profile|url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/nc/rowan/woodbridge-run.cfm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> * [[Woodleaf, North Carolina|Woodleaf]] (first known as Wood Leaf; postmaster was Daniel Wood, September 4, 1855)<ref name="LewisPO"/> * Yadkin<ref>{{cite web|title=Yadkin (Rowan County, NC)|url=https://roadsidethoughts.com/nc/yadkin-xx-rowan-profile.htm|accessdate=May 9, 2023}}</ref> ===Townships=== By the requirements of the North Carolina Constitution of 1868, the county was divided into townships. Previous to that time, the subdivisions were Captain's Districts. While the Captain's Districts referred primarily to the militia, it served also for the election precinct, the tax listing and tax collecting district.<ref name="Constitution">{{cite web|url=https://www.ncleg.net/library/Documents/Constitution_1868.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919003045/http://www.ncleg.net/library/Documents/Constitution_1868.pdf |archive-date=September 19, 2013 |url-status=live|title=North Carolina Constitution|year=1868}}</ref> The following townships in Rowan County were created in 1868: {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * [[Atwell Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Atwell]] * [[China Grove Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|China Grove]] * [[Cleveland Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Cleveland]] * [[Franklin Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Franklin]] * [[Gold Hill Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Gold Hill]] * [[Litaker Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Litaker]] * [[Locke Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Locke]] * [[Morgan Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Morgan]] * [[Mount Ulla Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Mount Ulla]] * [[Providence Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Providence]] * [[Salisbury Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Salisbury]] * [[Scotch Irish Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Scotch Irish]] * [[Steele Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Steele]] * [[Unity Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Unity]] {{div col end}} ==Notable people== {{See also|Category:People from Rowan County, North Carolina}} * [[Tommy Barnhardt]] (born 1963), NFL player, played at UNC * [[William Lee Davidson]] (1746β1781), [[American Revolutionary War]] colonel * [[Joseph Dickson]] (1745β1825), American Revolutionary War Colonel and Congressman * [[John Willis Ellis]] (1820β1861), former [[governor of North Carolina]] from 1859 to 1861,born in what was then eastern Rowan County and practiced law in Salisbury<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tolbert |first=Noble J. |date=1986 |title=Ellis, John Willis |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/ellis-john-willis |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=www.ncpedia.org}}</ref> * [[Jackie Fargo]] (1930β2013), professional wrestler * [[James Allen Graham]] (1921β2003), former North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture<ref>{{Cite web |title=NCDA&CS - Public Affairs |url=http://www.ncagr.gov/paffairs/aghall/graham.htm |access-date=May 10, 2023 |website=www.ncagr.gov |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604112413/https://www.ncagr.gov/paffairs/aghall/graham.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> * [[Phil Kirk]] (born 1944), former chairman of the [[North Carolina State Board of Education]] * [[Francis Locke, Sr.|Francis Locke]] (1722β1796), plantation owner in Rowan, noted for his victory at the [[Battle of Ramseur's Mill]] during the [[American Revolutionary War]]<ref name="NC">{{Cite web |date=December 2022 |title=Locke, Francis |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/locke-francis |access-date=May 10, 2023 |website=www.ncpedia.org}}</ref> * [[Francis Locke, Jr.]] (1766β1823), congressman<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marker: L-61 |url=http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?MarkerId=L-61 |access-date=May 10, 2023 |website=www.ncmarkers.com}}</ref> * [[Matthew Locke (U.S. Congress)|Matthew Locke]] (1730β1801), congressman and Brigadier General in the American Revolution * [[W. Eugene McCombs]] (1925β2004), politician and former Rowan County Commissioner * [[Lee Slater Overman]] (1854β1930), former U.S. Senator for North Carolina<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Jonathan |title=Lee S. Overman (1854 β 1930) |url=https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/lee-s-overman-1854-1930/ |access-date=May 10, 2023 |website=North Carolina History Project |language=en-US}}</ref> * [[Joseph Pearson (politician)|Joseph Pearson]] (1776β1834), congressman * [[Griffith Rutherford]] (1721β1805), military officer and Revolutionary War general, commander of the [[Salisbury District Brigade]] ==See also== {{Portal|North Carolina}} * [[Carter County, Tennessee]], governed by Rowan County from 1753 to 1775 * [[List of counties in North Carolina]] * [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Rowan County, North Carolina]] * [[Rowan County Regiment]] ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==Further reading== * [[Claude Clegg|Clegg, Claude A., III]]. ''Troubled Ground: A Tale of Murder, Lynching, and Reckoning in the New South'' (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2010). * Gehrke, William H. "The Beginnings of the Pennsylvania-German Element in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties, North Carolina." ''Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography'' 58.4 (1934): 342β369. [http://journals.psu.edu/pmhb/article/view/28326/28082 online] * Rumple, Jethro. ''A History of Rowan County, North Carolina'' (Heritage Books, 2009). This publication does not include all lynchings, only those of black skin or those of known African heritage. ==External links== {{Commons category}} ; Government * {{Official website}} ; General information * {{osmrelation}} * [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ncrowan/ NCGenWeb Rowan County], genealogy resources for the county * {{Ballotpedia}} * [http://www.rowanmuseum.org/ Rowan Museum] * [https://www.rowancountync.gov/307/Library Rowan Public Library] * [http://www.salisburypost.com/ ''Salisbury Post''] * {{Internet Archive author|name=Rowan County, North Carolina}} {{Geographic Location |Centre = Rowan County, North Carolina |North = [[Davie County, North Carolina|Davie County]] |Northeast = |East = [[Davidson County, North Carolina|Davidson County]] |Southeast = [[Stanly County, North Carolina|Stanly County]] |South = [[Cabarrus County, North Carolina|Cabarrus County]] |Southwest = |West = [[Iredell County, North Carolina|Iredell County]] |Northwest = }} {{Rowan County, North Carolina}} {{Charlotte/Metrolina}} {{North Carolina}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Rowan County, North Carolina| ]] [[Category:1753 establishments in North Carolina]] [[Category:Charlotte metropolitan area]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1753]]
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