1. History of Matthews:

Nestled between Charlotte and Monroe, the area now known as Matthews was unspoiled rolling woodlands with large stands of trees. By the early 1800s, this rich and inviting land attracted early settlers, who were mainly farmers. In the vicinity lay the trading trails, game rich hunting grounds and the ancestral homes of the Waxhaw and Catawba Indians. These farmers began clearing the land for planting around the start of the 19th century. Cotton grew well and soon became the primary cash crop. As the land was cleared for planting, so many tree stumps were left standing that the early settlement was unofficially known as Stumptown. In 1879, Matthews was incorporated as a municipal corporation in the state of North Carolina. Jeremiah Solomon Reid headed a committee to secure the town charter. The town’s official name became Matthews, in honor of Edward Matthews.

The Seaboard Air Line Railroad began rolling through Matthews in 1874. As Matthews grew, the railroad remained an important part of the town. A number of trains still roll through town several times a day. Get an up close view of the trains from the historic Train Depot and Visitor’s Center.

Today, Matthews’ population has grown to over 30,000 citizens. Keeping pace with development in the area, Matthews’ city limits now encompass 17 square miles. There are hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, recreational facilities and a hospital. In 1996, the National Register of Historic Places listed 10 downtown buildings in Matthews. Known as Matthews Commercial District, they comprise a small, but remarkably intact, collection of structures dating from the late 19th to the early 20th century.