Granite Falls Case Study

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The Development of Business in Granite Falls My little hometown of Granite Falls, North Carolina is situated in the western foothills of the state in Caldwell County. Granite Falls, although not currently the epicenter for commerce in the area, has been instrumental in the development of business that remains crucial to the livelihood of residents in the town and surrounding region. With humble beginnings in an iron forge, Granite Falls grew to the birthplace of the textile industry in the area. Deceptively seeming far removed from the global economy, Granite Falls and other locales of the county, have actually been notable for their contributions to the textile industry and furniture industries. As the area continues to contribute to those industries, it is also developing ventures to modernize its business by becoming involved in technology. The History of Granite Falls …show more content…

Baird received the deed for the land on May 11th of 1795 (McCall, 1999). The creek contained a set of falls which would power Baird’s Iron Forge. Around the Ford which Baird founded a company town grew. As owner of the forge, Baird “helped his workers build houses, and he provided them a store, a school, and a church” (McCall, 1999). Although the forge was responsible for the development of the settlement, it was became antiquated by the 1830s and was closed in 1842 (McCall, 1999). The Granite Falls History and Transportation museum claims that competitors in the iron industry from Pennsylvania and a lack of resources to keep up with transportation innovations were catalysts for the closing of the forge (McCall, 1999). The area then went through a brief period producing flour, the owners of the flour mill selling out to Shuford, Gwyn & Co. in 1880 (McCall,

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