| Unique Origin
McConnell is unique in that it was originally formed in partnership by Davidson College in an effort to provide affordable housing opportunities within the "Davidson Community". The Faculty and Staff were having to move and live in surrounding areas and were not participating in the life of the students outside of the classroom. There were few options for them in Davidson. Robert Sutton and Robert Collins reviewed options and property in southern Iredell county and an old 98 acre farm east of town...what we now call McConnell. The College did not want a mill town with just college faculty as the only residents. In fact, the college wanted only about a 1/3 of the homes with college occupants, and they wanted them as owners. Sutton and Collins devised plans to make that work and provide for the employees, the College, and the community. Today approximately 30% of the homes in the neighborhood are set aside for Davidson College employees...this offers a great way for the college to mix with the rest of the town. Located within walking distance of the college and the downtown village area of Davidson, the property was perfect for the development of this unique concept.
In addition to the unique mix of Davidson College employees, the neighborhood also enjoys a nice dichotomy of seniors and young families. We try and get together multiple times in a year as a neighborhood. Events like our Annual Picnic, Progressive Dinner, Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas Lighting/Caroling offer a great interactive scene for us all. Our homes are not situated by price or size, we're mixed and have retirees and young families next to large families...all ages and family sizes.  Family Friendly
This is a "family-friendly" place! The neighborhood has sidewalks and street lights throughout and includes large "green spaces" with manicured lawns and playgrounds! There is also a pond surrounded with a nature trail where you can fish or explore nature up close and personal. Speaking of family, over 75% of the 200 homes in Davidson have children (average age = 8), there are more children than there are homes!
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