Scenic Drives

Pee Dee Valley Drive - Piedmont Scenic Drives

Follow N.C. 740 to the town of Badin in Stanly County, turning onto Nantahala Street (S.R. 1714). One-tenth mile later, turn right onto Henderson Street (S.R. 1720). The byway begins beside the old elementary school on Henderson Street. While traveling due south, the road number remains the same, but the name changes to Valley Drive at the intersection just past the elementary school. Follow Valley Drive (S.R. 1720) for 5.5 miles south towards the intersection of N.C. 24/27/73.

Badin (seen in photo on the left) was established in 1913 by French industrialist Adrian Badin, as a company town for the aluminum reduction plant he operated nearby. This plant is now owned by the Aluminum Corporation of America. The town of Badin is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is noted for its unique French-inspired townhouses (called quadreplexes), which are among the earliest examples of townhouse architecture in North Carolina.

Pee Dee Valley Drive follows through the valley of the Pee Dee River located several miles to the east. This river, formed at the junction of the Yadkin and Uwharrie rivers, flows into and through South Carolina where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes called the Great Pee Dee River, the name originates from the Catawba Indian word for smart, capable or expert.

A quick side trip along Morrow Mountain Road (S.R. 1798) (about 1.5 miles) will take motorists into Morrow Mountain State Park. From the upper parking lot, visitors can capture the panoramic view of Badin Lake to the north and Lake Tillery to the south. Badin Lake was built by the Carolina Aluminum Company for hydroelectric power and recreation in 1917.

Morrow Mountain State Park was established in 1935 on land given to the state by James McKnight Morrow. The park has more than 30 miles of hiking and equestrian trails open to the public. Visit the restored residence of Dr. Francis Joseph Kron who had a medical practice here in the early 1800s. Until that time the mountain had been called Naked Mountain because a tornado stripped the mountain bare. There are three peaks – Sugarloaf Mountain, Mill Mountain and Tater Top Mountain – all of which are less than 1,050 feet high and part of the Uwharrie Mountain Range. These mountains were created in a prehistoric collision between the African and North American continents. They are considered to be the oldest mountains on this continent.

After visiting the park, continue along Valley Drive to the intersection with N.C. 24/27/73 and turn left. Take this road (part of the Sandhills Scenic Drive) for about two miles before turning right onto Indian Mound Road (S.R. 1740). Follow Indian Mound Road (not to be confused with Town Creek Indian Mound) for about six miles along Lake Tillery to the town of Norwood.

The byway ends at U.S. 52 in Norwood. Founded in 1826, Norwood was named for its first postmaster. It overlooks Lake Tillery which has sometimes been called Lake Norwood.

To visit the Town Creek Indian Mound follow N.C. 731 from Norwood east through Mount Gilead. The historic site is about 6.5 miles east of Mount Gilead on Indian Mound Rd (S.R. 1542).

Length: 14 miles
Driving Time: 30 minutes
Counties: Stanly

courtesy of NC Department of Transportation

added: September 15, 2009

updated: September 25, 2009