Municipalities Rowan County is home to Salisbury, the seat of Rowan County and to nine municipalities. Each one adds a unique flavor to the Rowan County community and is vibrant in history and tradition. Read on to discover more about each exceptional area. Rowan County 130 West Innes St. Salisbury, NC 28144 704-636-0361 www.co.rowan.nc.us SALISBURY, N.C. (Incorporated 1755; Population 27,800) Salisbury was named after the cathedral town in England. Salisbury was at the leadingedge of the American frontier, serving as the jumping-off point for pioneers, visionaries and even a few scoundrels and fugitives. As the largest city in western North Carolina in the 18th and early 19th centuries, Salisbury was the major center of trade and politics. The coming of the railroad in 1859 further boosted the town’s economy and stimulated industry. City of Salisbury 217 South Main St. Salisbury, NC 28144 704-638-5270 www.ci.salisbury.nc.us CHINA GROVE, N.C. (Incorporated 1889; Population 3,928) China Grove had its beginnings prior to the American Revolution. The town served as an early stagecoach stop. China Grove received its name from a sizeable grove of chinaberry trees that served as a landmark for Native Americans. On October 23, 1896, the first three ruralmail routes in the United States began. One of these routes operated out of the China Grove Post Office. China Grove 205 Swink St. China Grove, NC 28023 704-857-2466 www.chinagrovenc.gov SPENCER, N.C. (Incorporated 1905; Population 3,241) Spencer was lucky enough to be located in a key location. In 1896 the Southern Railway Company chose Spencer as the halfway point between Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA for its largest steam locomotive servicing facility. The shops and the town that grew up around the new facilities were named after Samuel Spencer, the first president of Southern Railway. Today the facility is a state historic site preserved as the North Carolina Transportation Museum. Town of Spencer 600 South Salisbury Ave. Spencer, NC 28156 www.ci.spencer.nc.us LANDIS, N.C. (Incorporated 1901; Population 3,184) Landis started out as a mill town. In 1900, Columbus A. Linn and his sons, locally prominent landowners, founded the Linn Mill. The following year the town was incorporated. The Linn Brothers Store became known as the "Busy Store" and the Landis Depot was built. These historic buildings, as well as the old Post Office and Jail, still stand in the downtown area. Town of Landis 312 South Main St. Landis, NC 28088 704-857-2411 GRANITE QUARRY, N.C. (Incorporated 1901; Population 1,960) Granite Quarry was once called "Woodside." Due to the numerous quarrying operations in the area, the town’s name was changed to Granite Quarry in 1905. Granite Quarry is known worldwide for the unique "pink" granite that is mined from the ground. The Action for Community Teamwork (ACT) Volunteer Committee in town has flourished with the hiring of a full-time coordinator to deal with town health and human services issues. Granite Quarry is also home to the Old Stone House. The Old Stone House was built by Michael Braun in 1766 and is currently the oldest surviving structure in Rowan County. Town of Granite Quarry 143 North Salisbury Ave. Granite Quarry, NC 28072 704-279-5596 www.granitequarry.govoffice.com ROCKWELL, N.C. (Incorporated 1911; Population 1,716) Rockwell, once known as the place where a thirsty traveler could stop at the "Rock Well" for a refreshing drink, still boasts of its good well water from its eight wells. Early settlers were Germans who came here in 1760. Examples of their perseverance and Craftsmanship are two early stone churches: Organ Lutheran Church, the oldest Lutheran Church Structure in North Carolina, and Grace Reformed Church, both built around 1795. Town of Rockwell 202 East Main St. Rockwell, NC 28138 704-279-2180 www.rockwellnc.com CLEVELAND (Incorporated 1883; Population 866) Cleveland had three names prior to its incorporation in 1883; Cowansville, Rowan Mills, and Third Creek Station. It was actually incorporated as Third Creek Station, but the name was changed to Cleveland in 1887. Third Creek Presbyterian Church, burial site for French Marshall Ney, and Christ Episcopal Church are two of Cleveland’s oldest historical sites. Town of Cleveland North Depot St. Cleveland, NC 27013 704-278-4777 FAITH (Incorporated 1903; Population 692) Tradition holds that John Thomas Wyatt, a newspaper columnist who settled on the rocky land five miles east of Salisbury, named the town. Wyatt opened a quarry there and since he had no experience in quarrying, said he was proceeding on "faith." The town has gained a wide reputation for hosting the largest Fourth of July celebration in the state. Town of Faith 100 North Main St. Faith, NC 28041 704-279-7500