Lawndale: Park, River and Local History

Lawndale appeals to travelers with a range of interests: Lawndale Park combines walking trails, picnic areas and river access; the area's history includes a church with a cemetery, the development of a textile mill and a historic railway line. The history of family-run Knob Creek Orchard also adds a distinct point of reference in time. When planning your stay, you can weigh whether outdoor activities or the different historical topics should take center stage.

Park, River Access and Planning Your Day

If you include the park in your day's plans, note that its opening hours vary by season: From May to September, it is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; during the rest of the year, from dawn until dusk. Weather-related closures are possible. It's therefore a good idea to check the latest visitor information before your visit.

The park has restrooms, walking trails, picnic areas and access to a river beach; dogs are welcome. This is a practical consideration for travelers with dogs. Walking trails and picnic areas offer a different focus for your day than river access. Depending on whether you plan to go for a walk, take a break outdoors or spend time by the water, there are different options.

The river access at Lawndale Park has a gently sloping shoreline. It's suitable for launching kayaks or taking a refreshing swim. This gives you a choice between activities on the shore and on the water, without changing your starting point from the park.

Local History: Community, Church and Transportation

St. Peter’s United Methodist Church and its cemetery were established in 1843. Both therefore share the same founding date and together offer a connection to the area's history.

The area that is now Lawndale developed into a community with the construction of a textile mill, which was called Cleveland Mills. The focus here is on the connection between the mill's construction and the area's development into a community.

The Lawndale Historical Society Museum is located at 119 Piedmont Drive in the former Piedmont School building. The former school, now serving as a museum, offers a different perspective on local history than the development of the textile mill.

The historic “Lawndale Dummy” railway line ran between Lawndale and Shelby. It adds a transportation dimension to local history: while the mill is connected with the area's development into a community, the railway line describes a historic route between Lawndale and Shelby.

A Separate Look at Business History

Knob Creek Orchard has been family-run since 1958. This point in time differs from the founding date of the church and cemetery: it focuses on the history of a business.

Along with the textile mill, this business history adds another perspective to the religious and transportation topics. If you're interested in Lawndale's history, you can distinguish between its founding history, development into a community, historic railway line and the history of a family-run business.

Discover more destinations: Shelby, Grover, Kings Mountain

Return to the main travel overview: Cleveland.