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History

Pineville was changed forever when the initial segment of Interstate 485 opened to traffic. Although the one-mile (1.6 km) stretch connecting interchanges at NC Highway 51 and South Boulevard was designed to divert through traffic around Charlotte via a freeway loop, I-485 incidentally passed directly through Pineville.

In the years to follow, largely undeveloped land adjacent to Pineville's two I-485 interchanges exploded into what is now the largest shopping district in North Carolina. With nearly 8,000,000 square feet (743,000 m²) of retail space, Pineville is home to the 1,100,000-square-foot (100,000 m²) Carolina Place Mall, at least two power centers and many strip malls, outparcels and free-standing retailers.

Pineville is an example of urban sprawl because its growth was largely motivated by the introduction of a freeway to the area The Pineville shopping district generally requires a motor vehicle for access, although CATS provides bus service from the nearby Lynx Blue Line light rail system. The city of Pineville refused to be served directly by the light rail system, citing concerns about traffic and population growth. As of 2019, the city has reversed its position and wants the line expanded to run through Pineville.

Despite 8,000,000 square feet (743,000 m²) of new retail space, the population of Pineville in 2000 (3,449), was barely greater than it was in 1990 (2,970). This was partly a consequence of Pineville's geographic location. Sandwiched between Charlotte and the South Carolina state line, Pineville cannot expand its municipal boundaries. Substantial land undeveloped prior to the completion of the Southern portion of I-485 was purchased by developers and approved for industrial and retail use. The growth of the Atrium Pineville hospital and related medical facilities has driven increased traffic and employment on the city's East side, near the border of Charlotte.

The location of the birthplace of James K. Polk, the 11th U.S. president is located within what is now the city of Pineville. His home is no longer standing, but an original cabin from that time period is kept there, symbolic of the one he was born in. The main North / South street running through Pineville is named Polk Street in his honor.

The President James K. Polk state historic site has two reconstructed log cabins, both from the local area being built c. 1790. furnished in period antiques similar to what the Polks would have used. There is a main house, a cookhouse, and a log barn, and tours are available by costumed guides. Ladybird Johnson (at that time the First Lady of the U.S.A.) came to Pineville to dedicate the new state site. In addition to the period log houses, there is a museum with a short film on the life and times of James Knox Polk along with period clothes and other artifacts of the area and era. A monument was erected in 1904 on the site of the present-day reconstructed cabins. The state of North Carolina moved the monument from its original location in 1964 to its current location near the visitor center in 1968.

Pineville became known as a mule trading center during the time of the Charlotte 'gold rush'. At that time 'Pineville' was called 'Morrow's Turnout'. Located at the intersection of two major Indian trading routes, it had vast meadows in which the animals of trade and transportation could be 'turned-out' to pasture.

In 1852 the Charlotte & Columbia Railroad was constructed through Pineville, the town's first step into the 'modern world'. The railroad wanted a more modern name, and the large stands of pine trees in the area inspired the new name Pineville. Pineville was incorporated in 1873. In the 1890s Dover Yarn Mills established a cotton mill in Pineville. This mill later became Cone Mills, Inc., which operated in the town until the late 1970s. The one-block area of old Pineville was a bustling commercial area, with many different shops typical of any small town. Today this area is home to many quaint shops and restaurants.