Historical Timeline

1906 - James William Cannon bought several farms to build Cannon Mills Company.

1920s - 1970s
Under the guidance of James Cannon's son, Charles, Cannon Mills became the world's largest producer of household textiles. The mill employees lived in a village of craftsman-style homes for low rent and enjoyed free maintenance, low cost utilities, and free garbage collection and disposal while paying no taxes. The Cannon's also provided a YMCA, a hospital, a police department, scholarships, loans and jobs.

1982 - California financier David Murdock takes over Cannon Mills.

1984 - Citizens of Kannapolis vote to incorporate, making the largest unincorporated area in the United States the 16th largest city in North Carolina.

1985 - Murdock merges the mill in 1985 with Fieldcrest Mills Inc., creating Fieldcrest Cannon.

1997 - The Pillowtex Corporation purchases Fieldcrest Cannon in 1997.

1999 - Kannapolis annexes 10 square miles for industrial and residential growth. High-end housing and four business parks are now located in the area.

2003 - Pillowtex declares bankruptcy, shuts down all operations.

2004 - Novant Health becomes tenant in Kannapolis Gateway Business Park

2004 - David Murdock purchases former Pillowtex Plant 1 & Plant 4 in downtown Kannapolis with plans for major redevelopment.

2005 - David Murdock announces plans for the North Carolina Research Campus.

2005 - Haas CNC Racing chooses the Kannapolis Gateway Business Park.

2005 - Golden Gait Trailers moves to Kannapolis.

2005 - MarkPiercePoole, Inc. decides to build an industrial shell building in the Kannapolis Gateway Business Park and also breaks ground on a retail center for the Park.