The town of Davidson dates back to 1837 when a group of Presbyterians founded Davidson College, naming it for a local Revolutionary War hero. The founding of the college prompted the community’s development around it, which then grew into the typical small railroad town. With its proximity to Charlotte, Davidson has the benefit of a significant big city culture in a small, quiet town. Downtown is populated with great restaurant and quaint shops for everyday needs.

The Davidson Historical Society offers a remarkable walking tour  that encapsulates the town’s development: collegiate, commercial,, industrial and residential. You can begin the tour at any point and takes approximately one hour. The Davidson Historical Society has placed stone markers indicating when the current buildings were built as well as some information about their early occupants. Stops along the tour include Town Hall, R.D. Mooney Hardware Store, The Chairman Blake Residence, the Archie Brown Store and Brady’s Alley among many others.

To find a much more detailed description of the walking tour, including a printer friendly version with lists the history of each stop, visit Davidsonhistoricalsociety.org.  The website also offers a fun photo search where you can search for various architectural features of houses, public buildings and stores. Then check the Society’s website to see how many you guessed correctly.

No matter how you decide to explore the beautiful town of Davidson, you’re in for a day or evening rich in culture and history.