Union County Real Estate Talk

The Great Waxhaw Train Wreck of 2010

One of the significant features of Waxhaw NC is the set of train tracks that splits the historic downtown down the middle.  Beautiful old commercial buildings and Victorian homes rise above the tracks.  A historic wooden bridge spanning the tracks at one end of the town offers a wonderful view of the town and its railroad.

In July of 2010, one of the trains that moves through Waxhaw wrecked just outside the downtown area.  Six grain cars derailed and closed Highway 75, the main arterial through the town.  Luckily no one was hurt but businesses, neighborhoods and town officials had to work together with the railroad to re-open the street.

Drive through downtown Waxhaw today and you’ll see a sculpture that commemorates this spirit of cooperation after the great train wreck of 2010.  Located beside the tracks at Jackson Street and North Main Street, the 3000 pound sculpture is named “Getting Back on Track”.  It was created by local artist Tom Risser from steel, wood and plastic.  He collected scrap from the site of the wreck to incorporate into the sculpture.

The figures silhouetted against the Carolina blue sky represent the workers and townspeople who were at the scene of the wreck.  Look carefully at the yellow railroad sign in the center.  Instead of rXr, Risser changed the sign to wXw to stand for Waxhaw.

Want to know more about real estate and living in Waxhaw NC?  Request a free Waxhaw relocation package.

Copyright 2011.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors.  *The Great Waxhaw Train Wreck of 2010*

The Dairy Barn in Waxhaw NC—A Great Place for an Afternoon Treat

The sky was a brilliant blue.  The temperature was balmy.  Golden leaves were falling from the trees.  A beautiful day to be in Waxhaw NC.

I felt like having a snack as I drove through downtown Waxhaw one day last week.  Just as I was wondering where I could stop to get something to eat, I spied a new shop among the historic buildings lining Main Street.

The Dairy Barn.  It sounded like the perfect place to find an ice cream or other treat.  I parked along the railroad track that runs through the town and walked across the street.

When I saw the old-fashioned screen door at the entrance, I knew that I would enjoy the interior of the shop.  Once inside, I discovered that I wasn’t the only person who had decided that The Dairy Barn was a good place to stop for an afternoon treat.  A long row of rocking chairs lining one side of the shop was filled with shoppers relaxing, snacking and talking.  In the  back, two mothers sat at a table conversing while their pre-schoolers watched cartoons in a corral with chairs just their size.  Other families came in while I was there to occupy the tables at the front of the shop.

The Dairy Barn, open since October, offers sandwiches and desserts from 11am until 8 or 9pm six days a week.  The hours on Sundays are from 1-7pm.

You can try the Feed Bag Combos.  A hot dog with slaw, chicken breast sandwich, or BBQ sandwich come with chips and a drink.  The Dairy Barn’s Farm House Sweets include homemade apple cobbler, the barn brownie, a chocolate chip cookie bowl or milkshakes.  Soft serve ice cream cones with free toppings, sundaes and coffees are also on the menu.

What did I try last week?  The homemade apple cobbler with a dollop of ice cream.  It was delicious, especially while relaxing in one of the rockers.

The Dairy Barn is located at 107 W. South Main Street in Waxhaw NC.

Want to know more about real estate and living in Waxhaw NC?  Visit www.CarolinaSmallTownLiving.com.

Copyright 2010.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Realtors.  *The Dairy Barn in Waxhaw NC—A Great Place for an Afternoon Treat*

Waxhaw NC Autumn Treasures Festival This Weekend

Historic downtown Waxhaw NC is the site for the 6th annual Autumn Treasures Festival on October 11th and 12th.  Festival organizers expect 10,000 visitors to stroll the streets of Waxhaw where 75 arts and crafts vendors will display their wares.  Musicians will perform throughout the event on the Main Stage near the railroad tracks.  The Kidz Zone at Waxhaw United Methodist Church will offer indoor activities for children.  Festival hours are from 10am-6pm on Saturday and noon-6pm on Sunday.

Click here to enjoy photographs from last year's festival in downtown Waxhaw NC.

Learn more about Waxhaw NC, one of Charlotte North Carolina's best small towns.

Copyright 2009.  Carol Fox.  Allen Tate Real Estate.  *Waxhaw NC Autumn Treasures Festival This Weekend*

Visit historic Waxhaw NC in October and discover a number of fun and interesting things to do.

 

Autumn Treasures Fine Arts/Crafts Festival

Stroll the streets of downtown Waxhaw NC during the second weekend in October.  Here are some things that you can do and see.

 

Browse the arts and crafts booths.

 

Shop for antiques.

Listen to music.

 See Waxhaw's fire engines.

Museum of the Waxhaws

The Museum of the Waxhaws is located just a half mile from downtown Waxhaw NC.  This museum documents the history of the Waxhaw region from 1650 to 1900.  Exhibits tell the story of the Waxhaw Indians, the area's first inhabitants, the culture of the Scots-Irish settlers who came after the Indians, Revolutionary War battles in the area, Civil War battles, the history of schools and education in the backcountry, and provide a memorial to President Andrew Jackson who was born in the region.

Here are some things that you can see in October.

 

Visit the Secrest Homestead, a log home.

 

Watch a blacksmith in his workshop.

 

Learn about camp life during Civil War Infantry Weekend.

Meet Yankee soldiers.  Meet Rebel soldiers.

 

 

Waxhaw Scottish Highland Games

The Waxhaw Scottish Games will be held October 25, 2008 at Cane Creek Park south of Waxhaw.  Events during the games include athletic and piping competition, scottish and celtic music, scottish dancing and border collie exhibitions.

 

 

For more information about real estate or living in Waxhaw NC, visit

www.CarolinaSmallTownLiving.com

 

About the author:  Carol Fox of Allen Tate Realtors is a veteran real estate agent who has been selling the neighborhoods, horse farms, and rolling countryside of Waxhaw NC for over twenty years.

 

Copyright 2008.  Carol Fox.  All rights reserved.  "Three Fun Events in Waxhaw NC During October"