North Carolina Highway 73
Encyclopedia
NC 73 is a state highway
that extends for 118.54 miles (190.8 km) through south-central North Carolina
in the United States
. Most of the route is a two-lane highway that passes through both rural scenic areas; however, it also serves several small and moderate-sized cities in the state, including Concord
and Albemarle
. The western terminus of NC 73 is at an intersection with NC 27 east of Lincolnton
and its eastern terminus is at a junction with US 15-501 in Eastwood (between Pinehurst
and Carthage
).
in Lincoln County
. It heads eastward, passing to the south of Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport
and intersecting NC 16. It passes into Mecklenburg County
upon crossing over the Catawba River
just below the Cowans Ford Dam
at Lake Norman
. The route heads along the lake shore to the vicinity of Huntersville
, where it meets Interstate 77 an interchange near the NorthCross development. Past I-77, NC 73 passes through the northern part of Huntersville on its way into Cabarrus County
.
Just across the county line, NC 73 crosses the Rocky River
and passes through the center of the Odell School community before running along the southern edge of the Coddle Creek
reservoir. East of the reservoir, the highway intersects with the Kannapolis Parkway and Interstate 85 as it enters the city of Concord
. The route proceeds through the downtown district, meeting U.S. Route 601 and NC 3 before leaving Concord. NC 73 passes through the town of Mount Pleasant
—where it connects to NC 49 by way of an interchange—before passing into Stanly County
.
The highway goes through the crossroads community of Finger on its way to Albemarle
. Here, NC 73 avoids the city center by following a four-lane bypass around the southern part of the city that also carries NC 24 and NC 27. All three routes leave the bypass at Albemarle Plaza Mall and head southeastward as a two-lane highway toward the Uwharrie Mountains
. The highways enter rural Montgomery County
after crossing over the Pee Dee River
at Lake Tillery
.
NC 73 leaves NC 24 and NC 27 just east of the county line. While the latter two routes pass through Uwharrie National Forest
, NC 73 bypasses it to the south, following a southeasterly routing through the community of Pee Dee
to the town of Mount Gilead
. The highway passes near Town Creek Indian Mound
before crossing into Richmond County
, where it turns to follow a more easterly routing toward the town of Ellerbe
. NC 73 joins US 220 Alternate north of the town and follows it to the vicinity of Norman
, where the two highways split just west of an interchange with U.S. Route 220, Interstate 73 and Interstate 74
.
Past the freeway, NC 73 heads northeastward through a small portion of Montgomery County and the community of Windblow
on its way into Moore County
. Here, it serves Jackson Springs as it progresses toward the town of West End
, built up around the junction of NC 73 and NC 211. The two highways overlap for one block through the center of town before splitting and continuing on their separate ways. NC 73 leaves West End and heads generally eastward to Eastwood, a community south of the county seat of Carthage
and north of the village of Pinehurst
, where it ends at an intersection with US 15-501.
near Boger City (Western Terminus) near Lowesville near Huntersville near Huntersville near Huntersville at Poplar Tent near Concord in Concord near Mt. Pleasant in Albemarle in Albemarle in Albemarle at Mt. Gilead at Mt. Gilead near Ellerbe at West End west of Whispering Pines (Eastern Terminus)
and Mount Gilead
was a state highway
as early as 1922. At the time, the remainder of what is now NC 73 was not part of the state highway system. By 1926, the Concord – Mount Gilead highway was designated as part of NC 74, a route that continued east to Sanford
by way of modern NC 109
, NC 24 and NC 27, and US 15 and US 501. Also assigned by this time was NC 51, which followed modern NC 73 between Mount Gilead and Ellerbe
. NC 74 was altered by 1930 to bypass Mount Gilead to the north on what is now SR 1174. The west leg of its former routing became part of NC 515. NC 74 was also extended westward to Caldwell
by this time. Meanwhile, NC 75 was rerouted by 1930 to utilize the modern routing of NC 73 between Ellerbe and West End
.
In 1934, NC 74 was renumbered to NC 73 to eliminate numerical duplication with the nearby US 74, a route assigned as part of the establishment of the U.S. Highway System in 1926. The new NC 73 began at an intersection with NC 18 in Toluca
and proceeded northeastward to Newton
on what is now NC 10. From there, it followed modern NC 16 to a junction south of Denver
, where it turned to continue east to West End on what had been NC 74, NC 515, NC 51, and NC 75. In the late 1930s, NC 73 was extended to its current eastern terminus at US 15-501 north of Pinehurst
and truncated on its west end to NC 16 south of Denver.
At some point between 1940 and 1951, the segment of current NC 73 west of Machpelah became part of an extended NC 273, which traveled from its current northern terminus to Machpelah by way of an overlap with NC 16 and Old Plank Road. NC 273 was truncated back to its current northern terminus in the 1960s, at which time its former routing west of Machpelah became an extension of NC 73. In between Machpelah and NC 16, NC 73 was routed along its modern alignment.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
that extends for 118.54 miles (190.8 km) through south-central North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Most of the route is a two-lane highway that passes through both rural scenic areas; however, it also serves several small and moderate-sized cities in the state, including Concord
Concord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
and Albemarle
Albemarle, North Carolina
Albemarle is the county seat of Stanly County, North Carolina. The population was 15,680 at the 2000 census. It is governed by Mayor Elbert L. "Whit" Whitley, Jr...
. The western terminus of NC 73 is at an intersection with NC 27 east of Lincolnton
Lincolnton, North Carolina
Lincolnton is a city in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States, within the Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 10,683 at the 2010 census. Lincolnton is located northwest of Charlotte, on the South Fork of the Catawba River, and near the junction of State Highway 27 and U.S. Route...
and its eastern terminus is at a junction with US 15-501 in Eastwood (between Pinehurst
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Pinehurst is a village in Moore County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 9,706 at the 2000 census. It is the location of the Pinehurst Resort, venue of the 1936 PGA Championship, the 1951 Ryder Cup. The host site for the 1999, 2005,& 2014 U.S. Open Golf Championships, the 2008 U.S....
and Carthage
Carthage, North Carolina
Carthage is a town in Moore County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,871 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Moore County.-Geography:Carthage is located at ....
).
Route description
NC 73 begins at an intersection with NC 27 east of LincolntonLincolnton, North Carolina
Lincolnton is a city in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States, within the Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 10,683 at the 2010 census. Lincolnton is located northwest of Charlotte, on the South Fork of the Catawba River, and near the junction of State Highway 27 and U.S. Route...
in Lincoln County
Lincoln County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 71,498 people, 24,041 households, and 18,174 families residing in the county. The population density was 214 people per square mile . There were 25,717 housing units at an average density of 86 per square mile...
. It heads eastward, passing to the south of Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport
Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport
Lincolnton-Lincoln County Regional Airport is a public use airport located five nautical miles east of the central business district of Lincolnton, a city in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States. It is owned by the City of Lincolnton & Lincoln County...
and intersecting NC 16. It passes into Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
-Air:The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.- Intercity rail :With twenty-five freight trains a day, Mecklenburg is a freight railroad transportation center, largely due to its place on the NS main line between Washington and Atlanta...
upon crossing over the Catawba River
Catawba River
The Catawba River is a tributary of the Wateree River in the U.S. states of North Carolina and South Carolina. The river is approximately 220 miles long...
just below the Cowans Ford Dam
Cowans Ford Dam
The Cowans Ford Dam is a dam completed in 1963 along the Catawba River on the border between Lincoln and Mecklenburg counties in North Carolina. The dam holds back Lake Norman and is an important source of hydroelectric power.-See also:...
at Lake Norman
Lake Norman
Lake Norman, created between 1959 and 1964 as part of the construction of the Cowans Ford Dam by Duke Energy, is the largest manmade body of fresh water located in North Carolina.-General Information:...
. The route heads along the lake shore to the vicinity of Huntersville
Huntersville, North Carolina
Huntersville is a large town in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties, North Carolina, United States. The population was 46,773 at the 2010 census, which makes Huntersville the 19th largest city in North Carolina. It is located about 12 miles north of uptown Charlotte. It is thought that the town...
, where it meets Interstate 77 an interchange near the NorthCross development. Past I-77, NC 73 passes through the northern part of Huntersville on its way into Cabarrus County
Cabarrus County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 131,063 people, 49,519 households, and 36,545 families residing in the county. The population density was 360 people per square mile . There were 52,848 housing units at an average density of 145 per square mile...
.
Just across the county line, NC 73 crosses the Rocky River
Rocky River (North Carolina)
The Rocky River is a river in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. It begins in Iredell County near Mooresville and flows south into Cabarrus County, where it is the principal waterway in the county. The river continues southeastward to form the line between Stanly, Union, and Anson counties...
and passes through the center of the Odell School community before running along the southern edge of the Coddle Creek
Coddle Creek
Coddle Creek is a stream/river that rises near Mooresville in Iredell County, North Carolina. It flows through most of northwestern Cabarrus County, North Carolina where it empties into Rocky River near Harrisburg, North Carolina....
reservoir. East of the reservoir, the highway intersects with the Kannapolis Parkway and Interstate 85 as it enters the city of Concord
Concord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
. The route proceeds through the downtown district, meeting U.S. Route 601 and NC 3 before leaving Concord. NC 73 passes through the town of Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, North Carolina
Mount Pleasant is a town located in eastern Cabarrus County, North Carolina, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 1,259....
—where it connects to NC 49 by way of an interchange—before passing into Stanly County
Stanly County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 60,585 people. In 2000 there were 22,223 households, and 16,156 families residing in the county. The population density was 147 people per square mile . There were 24,582 housing units at an average density of 62 per square mile...
.
The highway goes through the crossroads community of Finger on its way to Albemarle
Albemarle, North Carolina
Albemarle is the county seat of Stanly County, North Carolina. The population was 15,680 at the 2000 census. It is governed by Mayor Elbert L. "Whit" Whitley, Jr...
. Here, NC 73 avoids the city center by following a four-lane bypass around the southern part of the city that also carries NC 24 and NC 27. All three routes leave the bypass at Albemarle Plaza Mall and head southeastward as a two-lane highway toward the Uwharrie Mountains
Uwharrie Mountains
The Uwharrie Mountains are a mountain range in North Carolina. The range lies in the counties of Randolph, Montgomery, Stanly, and Davidson, although its foothills stretch into Cabarrus, Anson, Union counties and terminate in the hills of Person. Formed approximately 500 million years ago by...
. The highways enter rural Montgomery County
Montgomery County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 26,822 people, 9,848 households, and 7,189 families residing in the county. The population density was 55 people per square mile . There were 14,145 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile...
after crossing over the Pee Dee River
Pee Dee River
The Pee Dee River, also known as the Great Pee Dee River, is a river in North Carolina and South Carolina. It originates in the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, where its upper course above the mouth of the Uwharrie River is known as the Yadkin River. It is extensively dammed for flood...
at Lake Tillery
Lake Tillery
Lake Tillery is a reservoir between Badin Lake and Blewett Falls Lake in the Uwharrie Lakes Region of North Carolina. It is entirely within Stanly County and Montgomery County, NC. The lake was created by impounding the Pee Dee River, which is created by the confluence of the Yadkin River and the...
.
NC 73 leaves NC 24 and NC 27 just east of the county line. While the latter two routes pass through Uwharrie National Forest
Uwharrie National Forest
Uwharrie National Forest is a federally-designated national forest region located primarily in Montgomery County, but also extending into Randolph and Davidson counties in south central North Carolina. It is the smallest of the four National Forests in North Carolina, with a total area of 50,369...
, NC 73 bypasses it to the south, following a southeasterly routing through the community of Pee Dee
Pee Dee, North Carolina
Pee Dee, North Carolina, is an unincorporated community in southwestern Montgomery County, North Carolina, located on North Carolina Highway 73. U.S. Representative and State Senator Edmund Deberry lived in Pee Dee, which was a township at that time, until his death in 1859.- References :...
to the town of Mount Gilead
Mount Gilead, North Carolina
Mount Gilead is a town in Montgomery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,389 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mount Gilead is located at ....
. The highway passes near Town Creek Indian Mound
Town Creek Indian Mound
-External links:*, North Carolina Historic Sites...
before crossing into Richmond County
Richmond County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 46,564 people, 17,873 households, and 12,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 98 people per square mile . There were 19,886 housing units at an average density of 42 per square mile...
, where it turns to follow a more easterly routing toward the town of Ellerbe
Ellerbe, North Carolina
Ellerbe is a town in Richmond County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,021 at the 2000 census. It is perhaps best known as the one-time home of professional wrestler André the Giant, who operated a nearby ranch/farm in his spare time and retirement. His ashes were scattered on...
. NC 73 joins US 220 Alternate north of the town and follows it to the vicinity of Norman
Norman, North Carolina
Norman is a town in Richmond County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 72 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Norman is located at ....
, where the two highways split just west of an interchange with U.S. Route 220, Interstate 73 and Interstate 74
Interstate 74 in North Carolina
In the U.S. state of North Carolina, Interstate 74 is an Interstate Highway that is partially completed. Currently in four distinct segments in the state; when completed, it will traverse in a southeasterly direction from Virginia to South Carolina, connecting the cities of Winston-Salem, High...
.
Past the freeway, NC 73 heads northeastward through a small portion of Montgomery County and the community of Windblow
Windblow, North Carolina
Windblow, North Carolina, is an unincorporated crossroads community on the border of Montgomery and Richmond Counties, North Carolina. Located at the intersection of North Carolina Highway 73 and NC State Road 1003, Windblow is an agricultural community. Windblow is noted for its peach production;...
on its way into Moore County
Moore County, North Carolina
Moore County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 74,769. Its county seat is Carthage.- History :The county was formed in 1784 from Cumberland County...
. Here, it serves Jackson Springs as it progresses toward the town of West End
West End, North Carolina
West End is an unincorporated community in Moore County, North Carolina, United States. The center of West End is the multiplex of two primary state highways; NC 211 and NC 73.-History:...
, built up around the junction of NC 73 and NC 211. The two highways overlap for one block through the center of town before splitting and continuing on their separate ways. NC 73 leaves West End and heads generally eastward to Eastwood, a community south of the county seat of Carthage
Carthage, North Carolina
Carthage is a town in Moore County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,871 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Moore County.-Geography:Carthage is located at ....
and north of the village of Pinehurst
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Pinehurst is a village in Moore County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 9,706 at the 2000 census. It is the location of the Pinehurst Resort, venue of the 1936 PGA Championship, the 1951 Ryder Cup. The host site for the 1999, 2005,& 2014 U.S. Open Golf Championships, the 2008 U.S....
, where it ends at an intersection with US 15-501.
Major Points and Junctions
West to Eastnear Boger City (Western Terminus) near Lowesville near Huntersville near Huntersville near Huntersville at Poplar Tent near Concord in Concord near Mt. Pleasant in Albemarle in Albemarle in Albemarle at Mt. Gilead at Mt. Gilead near Ellerbe at West End west of Whispering Pines (Eastern Terminus)
History
The portion of modern NC 73 between ConcordConcord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
and Mount Gilead
Mount Gilead, North Carolina
Mount Gilead is a town in Montgomery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,389 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mount Gilead is located at ....
was a state highway
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
as early as 1922. At the time, the remainder of what is now NC 73 was not part of the state highway system. By 1926, the Concord – Mount Gilead highway was designated as part of NC 74, a route that continued east to Sanford
Sanford, North Carolina
Sanford is a city in Lee County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 23,220 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lee County.-Geography:Sanford is located at ....
by way of modern NC 109
North Carolina Highway 109
North Carolina Highway 109 is a north–south state highway in North Carolina. It primarily connects small towns in the central Piedmont region of the state. The route is a two-lane road for most of its length, but the segment between Winston-Salem and Thomasville is being upgraded to a...
, NC 24 and NC 27, and US 15 and US 501. Also assigned by this time was NC 51, which followed modern NC 73 between Mount Gilead and Ellerbe
Ellerbe, North Carolina
Ellerbe is a town in Richmond County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,021 at the 2000 census. It is perhaps best known as the one-time home of professional wrestler André the Giant, who operated a nearby ranch/farm in his spare time and retirement. His ashes were scattered on...
. NC 74 was altered by 1930 to bypass Mount Gilead to the north on what is now SR 1174. The west leg of its former routing became part of NC 515. NC 74 was also extended westward to Caldwell
Caldwell, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Caldwell is an unincorporated community in northern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States.-Geography:Caldwell is located at , south of the town of Davidson on State Highway 115. It lies 850 feet above sea level....
by this time. Meanwhile, NC 75 was rerouted by 1930 to utilize the modern routing of NC 73 between Ellerbe and West End
West End, North Carolina
West End is an unincorporated community in Moore County, North Carolina, United States. The center of West End is the multiplex of two primary state highways; NC 211 and NC 73.-History:...
.
In 1934, NC 74 was renumbered to NC 73 to eliminate numerical duplication with the nearby US 74, a route assigned as part of the establishment of the U.S. Highway System in 1926. The new NC 73 began at an intersection with NC 18 in Toluca
Toluca, North Carolina
Toluca is an unincorporated community in both Lincoln, and Cleveland counties. It is located south of Laurel Hill, at the intersection of NC 27, and NC 18, near NC 27's western terminus at NC 10....
and proceeded northeastward to Newton
Newton, North Carolina
Newton is a city located in Catawba County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12,560. It is the county seat of Catawba County.Newton is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area....
on what is now NC 10. From there, it followed modern NC 16 to a junction south of Denver
Denver, North Carolina
Denver, formerly known as "Dry Pond," is an unincorporated community located in Lincoln County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is situated on North Carolina State Highway 16 on the west side of Lake Norman on the Catawba River...
, where it turned to continue east to West End on what had been NC 74, NC 515, NC 51, and NC 75. In the late 1930s, NC 73 was extended to its current eastern terminus at US 15-501 north of Pinehurst
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Pinehurst is a village in Moore County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 9,706 at the 2000 census. It is the location of the Pinehurst Resort, venue of the 1936 PGA Championship, the 1951 Ryder Cup. The host site for the 1999, 2005,& 2014 U.S. Open Golf Championships, the 2008 U.S....
and truncated on its west end to NC 16 south of Denver.
At some point between 1940 and 1951, the segment of current NC 73 west of Machpelah became part of an extended NC 273, which traveled from its current northern terminus to Machpelah by way of an overlap with NC 16 and Old Plank Road. NC 273 was truncated back to its current northern terminus in the 1960s, at which time its former routing west of Machpelah became an extension of NC 73. In between Machpelah and NC 16, NC 73 was routed along its modern alignment.