Aug 26, 2026 - The History of Cowan`s Ford and Lake Norman
Before Lake Norman became one of North Carolina`s most recognizable lakes, the Catawba River valley looked completely different. In this video, we explore the history of Cowans Ford Dam, from the early vision of Dr. Gill Wylie, Buck Duke, and William States Lee to the construction of the hydroelectric station that helped transform the region. Using rare historical photos and stories from the site, you`ll see what Cowans Ford looked like before the dam was built, how engineers constructed the project, and how Lake Norman came to exist.