Love Valley, Cowboy Capital Of North Carolina
The cowboy capital of North Carolina is a real place. Its a real small old west style town built outside of Statesville, NC. Its a trail riders dream. A place where you can only ride your horse or walk on Main Street. Dusty streets, blacksmith shop, hitching rails, saloons, wooden sidewalks and even a general store.
Back History
Love Valley was founded by Andy and Ellenora Barker back in 1954. Andy had a dream of an old western town and Love Valley became his reality.
Andy and Ellenora wanted a place away from the busy city life of Charlotte, NC. So they moved their family into a one room shack and started working on a dream. Andy used his crew from JA Construction Company, he jointly owned with his father to help build the town. Andy being a Christian man, made the Love Valley Presbyterian Church his first building. Then he went to work on the Love Valley Arena, then after that he set out to build the rest of the town, he even built a post office. When Andy first starting building the town he built it around the arena. Then in 1963 he moved it to the location you see today on top of the hill over looking the arena.
A Look at today
These days Love Valley's looks haven't changed a lot on Main Street. You can drive your car up to the main gate of town park and walk down the dusty street. Most would rather live that cowboy / cowgirl dream and ride their horse down the street to one of the saloons, Shelby's Place, Silver Spur Saloon or who could forget the Chicken Coop. You can even ride up to the General Store or Moonshine Gifts. Just tie your horse up at one of the many hitching post that line the streets. You can also ride down to the Love Valley Arena and see a show or rodeo. Lots of events are planned all through the year.
The Valley as some folks call it, is open all year round but some of the stores are closed till the weekends. As for staying at Love Valley, you have your choice of what to do. You can get a room at Miss Kitty's place, park your trailer in Jolly's field, or stay at one of the many campgrounds like Caruso Farms with trailer hook ups and water. One think to always remember , Love Valley is a horse riding town NOT a 5 star hotel. Lol!
Trails
Love Valley has many miles of trails that loop around the town and surrounding areas. Trails go from easy to moderate. I would say use shoes or boots but you know your horse better than me. If you need a set of shoes for your horse or to replace a missing shoe you can always head over to Blacksmith Cove or go over to Caruso Farms and see Jake Boyd. Some of the trail names are Tower Trail, Ice House Trail, Creek Trail, Pinto Bean Trail and the Ridge Trail and of course there is always riding in and around town. These trails are leased and maintained by the Love Valley Horseman Association. They work hard to keep the trails clean and clear for everyone. They always ask that if you pack it in then please pack it out. Please respect any trail you ride on.
Love Valley may not be for everyone but I like it and many others do too. Some folks even call it 'their home away from home". Lot's of folks just to meet up with friends. Me myself started going to Love Valley when I was about 14 years old. Yes that was a long time ago. Lol! I guess I'm just hooked now. I love the people and the town. Andy had a great dream and I'm glad we getting to live it even if its only for a few days a year.
There is a little something for everyone, from shows and rodeos at the arena, to ride on the many horse trails, find the rope swing or hangout with friends on the power lines or just go up town to Main Street sit on one of the benches and watch riders coming into town. If that's not enough for you you can always go into one of the saloons , play a game of pool, have a cold drink or dance the night away.
Yeah there is just something special about a man's dream becoming a reality.
Happy Trails y'all!!
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