Salisbury
Salisbury is the oldest continually populated colonial town in the western region of North Carolina. In the early days, it was a prominent economic hub along North Carolina’s Great Wagon Road due to its location on well-established trade routes. By the 20th century, Salisbury had a thriving economy spurred by the rapid growth of the textile industry. Today, Salisbury is noted for its historic preservation, with five Local Historic Districts and ten National Register Historic Districts. Downtown Salisbury provides an array of shops, antique stores, and cultural attractions.
China Grove
China Grove’s gets it’s name from a grove of chinaberry trees that was located next to the old train depot. The grove provided welcomed shade for travelers and horses, especially during the hot summer days. The China Grove depot was dismantled in 1974. Home to the largest community in the county, it is known for Farmers Day, a colorful event that attracts thousands to the city each year. Home to many restaurants, shops and breweries, residents enjoy a relaxed, down to earth community.
Rockwell
Named for a stone well that refreshed travelers passing through on the nearby colonial trading road, Rockwell today is still a town on the move, surrounded by farmland and home to numerous small businesses. Home to the Historic Rockwell Museum, and located in the town’s historic Post Office Building, the Historic Rockwell Museum has been restored to preserve and display the records, memorabilia and artifacts of Rockwell’s early years. Five miles northwest of Rockwell is the Old Stone House built of native hand-hewn granite and is known as the oldest German house in North Carolina. It has been a popular tourist attraction since being restored by the Rowan Museum, Inc.
