Connelly Springs began as a resort town, but it’s now a bedroom community
Set in the rural foothills of Western North Carolina along Interstate 40, Connelly Springs is a small town that vacationers pass by on their way to the Blue Ridge Mountains. But this once-bustling community used to be a holiday destination. First settled in the late 1830s by North Carolina State Militia Captain William Lewis Connelly, Connelly Springs grew as a resort town after the discovery of a mineral spring. Historic brick buildings on present-day Main Circle Street housed general stores, a blacksmith shop and even a bank. However, the town has experienced economic ups and downs throughout its history, and all that remains of the original downtown stretch is Lindy’s Furniture, which has been locally owned and operated for three generations. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population in Connelly Springs peaked at 1,800 people in 2000. Today, it’s home to around 1,500 people. “We’re all laid back here,” says Chris Gettys, a longtime resident of the area and a Realtor with eXp Realty Mooresville. He says Lake Rhodhiss, the nearby mountains and a lower cost of living are why homebuyers look to settle down in Connelly Springs. As a primarily residential enclave, residents head to neighboring communities for work, but they return home to a scenic and peaceful town.
A range of homes offering country and lakeside living
Single-family homes in Connelly Springs dot country roads that flow over the community’s hilly terrain and pass by undeveloped land and farms. Lots are spacious, often exceeding an acre. “You can get a lot of different types of property,” Gettys says. “You’ve got country, run-down older homes, manufactured homes to million-dollar lake homes.” Midcentury ranch-style homes are most common, but there are also Cape Cods, log cabins and some new construction. Custom estates along Lake Rhodhiss are surrounded by dense woods and feature docks and boat slips. The median price for a home here is around $295,000, well below the national median. However, properties near the lake start around $600,000 and can reach up to $1.2 million.
Adventures in the Catawba River Valley
Outdoor recreation in Connelly Springs often involves Lake Rhodhiss, which is popular for cruising around on a boat, paddling in a kayak or fishing for crappie and bass. Those without a private dock can use the Castle Bridge Boat Access or join the recently opened Castle Bridge Marina. “They have an awesome little store there, boat rentals and food trucks on the weekend,” says Robin Zema, the owner of Zema Realty Group, who lives in nearby Hickory. She adds that Lake Rhodhiss is not as busy as Lake James to the west and Lake Hickory to the east. “When people call me from out of state, they want a nice, calm lake without a lot of water activities. They want to sit out with their coffee,” Zema says.
Back on terra firma, Rutherford College Greenway Park is one of the closest public parks. It has a short greenway, places to picnic and a playground. Nearby in Valdese, Lakeside Park features several hiking trails through the woods that cross over creeks and provide opportunities to spot wildlife. The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and South Mountains, home to state parks, national forests and game lands, offer more challenging treks with elevation and scenic vistas. Gettys says the region’s mild weather makes spending time outside enjoyable all year round: “We do have four distinct seasons. It doesn’t get bitterly cold. We can get a little bit of snow. Spring and fall are great. Summer is hot and muggy.”
Small-town events at Town Hall
Connelly Springs hosts community events in its pavilion behind the Town Hall along U.S. Highway 70, ranging from seasonal vendor markets to a summer concert series featuring local bands. One of the biggest events of the year is the annual Connelly Springs Town Day Festival. Held in early May, the family-friendly celebration features live music, food trucks and craft vendors, along with inflatables and activities for the kids.
A few stores and restaurants in town, more options in Hickory and Morganton
A few stores and restaurants dot U.S. Highway 70 in Connelley Springs, including Dollar General and the independent Knob Hardware & Tools Store, which offers UPS Drop Off Express Service. The Aztec Chef serves Mexican cuisine in its colorful dining space adjoining a gas station and convenience store. In a small cottage down the road, Chicken in the Basket is a longtime cash-only spot for American fare. A few more restaurants and retailers are available in Rutherford College, but Gettys says most shoppers head to the cities of Hickory and Morganton, which are home to national retailers and grocery chains.
Burke County Public Schools offers highly rated schools
Earning an A-minus overall rating from Niche, Burke County Public Schools serves Connelly Springs. Around 12,000 students attend the district’s 27 schools, some of which feature global immersion and dual language academies. Most of Connelly Springs is in the attendance zone for the B-rated Valdese Elementary, A-minus-rated Heritage Middle and B-plus-rated Jimmy C. Draughn High. A small portion of the community can attend Icard Elementary, earning an A-minus, East Burke Middle, which gets a B-plus, and the B-rated East Burke High. Christ Classical Academy, which Niche does not yet rate, is a private option nearby in Rutherford College. Western Piedmont Community College is about 12 miles away in Morganton.
Country roads and two highways wind through Connelly Springs
Connelly Springs is rural, so residents rely on personal vehicles to get around. Two highways run through the community. U.S. Highway 70 links to neighboring communities like Rutherford College, which hosts the closest hospital, UNC Health Blue Ridge – Valdese. Hickory and Morganton are two nearby cities, both around 10 miles away. Interstate 40 leads southeast into Charlotte, where travelers can catch flights out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The drive to the Queen City is roughly 60 miles.
