Pineville, Mecklenburg’s smallest town, is a study in contrasts. Like many other towns, Pineville has seen its borders practically evaporate as it blends with Charlotte’s southern edge. It will seem even closer to Charlotte a few years from now when the town is connected to Uptown by light rail.

Initially settled at the junction of Indian trading paths, it wasn’t until the railroad came to town in 1852 that settlers chose the name Pineville for identification at the depot. The town is the birthplace of James K. Polk, 11th president of the United States. Today, farmhouse replicas and a museum mark the spot where the Polk family lived.

Pineville is full of charm and vision. The town has done a wonderful job preserving its historic downtown, while embracing growth in the surrounding areas. Although it is best known for the dozens of antique shops that line Main Street, Pineville has also seen a boom in commercial development over the past few years. It is home to several hotels and many of the Charlotte region’s major shopping centers.

Carolina Place, a two-story mall, includes major department stores and national retailers. Across the street, The Centrum, anchored by Home Depot and Kmart, offers primarily restaurants and discount stores. Over on South Boulevard at I-485, Carolina Pavilion features 1 million square feet of stores including Target, Old Navy and CompUSA, as well as restaurants and a 22-screen movie theater.

For your time away from these shopping emporia, try out one of Pineville’s parks or walking trails. For walking or biking, head to McMullen Creek Greenway off N.C. 51. The greenway has 1.5 miles of trail that connects with the 4.5-mile Lower McAlpine Creek Greenway. You can park and picnic at the McMullen Creek entrance.

Pineville’s Parks and Recreation Department offers numerous activities. The Belle Johnston Community Center features racquetball, basketball courts, a walking track and craft classes. Just beyond the shops of Main St. is Jack D. Hughes Memorial Park where you will often find baseball or softball games under way. Pineville Lake Park has picnic facilities, tennis courts, fishing and a new performance stage that features movies on Friday nights, concerts and other entertainment.

New residential development is popping up everywhere, including Carolina Crossing off Sam Meeks Road, which offers affordable town homes and condos.

A thriving medical community also has evolved in Pineville. Carolinas Healthcare System operates CMC-Pineville, a major medical facility that has generated development in its immediate vicinity. Several medical practices that previously operated only in town now have branches along Park Road to serve residents of Pineville and south Charlotte.