About Cornelius
Cornelius grew up in the 1890s around a cotton-weighing dispute: according to local tradition, farmers unhappy with the scales in nearby Davidson set up their own cotton market just to the south, and the new settlement took the name of Joseph Cornelius, a supporter who helped it get started. It was incorporated in 1905 and stayed a small mill and farming town for most of the 20th century.
Everything changed with Lake Norman, created by a dam on the Catawba River in the 1960s. Today Cornelius is a lake town and one of the fastest-growing suburbs of Charlotte, with miles of shoreline, marinas and waterfront restaurants. Jetton Park offers a sandy beach and lakeside trails, Ramsey Creek Park has a swimming beach and boat launch, and the Cain Center for the Arts brings concerts and shows to town.
The old town center along Catawba Avenue and Main Street keeps a few historic buildings, and the college town of Davidson, with its tree-lined campus and Main Street, is just to the north.
Best seasonMay to September for the lake, beaches and boating; spring and fall are best for walking and biking trails.
Ideal stayOne day covers Jetton Park, a meal on the water and an evening show; add Davidson for a second day.
ArrivingCharlotte Douglas International Airport is about 30 minutes south, and Interstate 77 runs through the middle of town.
