In 1959, Duke Energy began building Cowan's Ford Dam on the Catawba River Chain, resulting in Lake Norman, the largest man-made lake in North Carolina. This beautiful lake covers more than 32,475 acres and spreads across portions of four counties, with 520 miles of shoreline!
Beautiful sunsets, waterfront restaurants, cruises, regattas, and more await tourists to Lake Norman, which is located in Cornelius, NC. Fishing, boating, skiing, paddle and wake boarding, swimming, biking, and hiking are just some of the many outdoor pursuits that may be enjoyed in our Inland Sea.
Lake Norman was named after Norman Atwater Cocke, a former president of Duke Energy. Cocke was born to James Cocke and Sarah Atwater on November 20, 1884, in Prince George County, Virginia. Both Petersburg Academy and New York Law School are represented on his resume. It was at the latter institution that he graduated in 1905.
After completing his studies in law, Cocke was admitted to practice in New York and after waiting an additional year, he was finally accepted into the North Carolina and South Carolina bars. He was able to put his education to good use and grow in his career at Duke Energy (formerly Southern Power and now Duke Energy). In 1906, he began his legal career with Duke Energy.He was Duke's attorney for half a century (until 1958).
As a result of his success, the corporation promoted him to vice president and director. Cocke was president of Duke Energy from 1953 to 1958. He put in time at the company while also volunteering for many Southern causes.
Cocke served as Vice President of the Piedmont & Northern Railway co. from 1929 until 1959, during which time the state of North Carolina's textile industry flourished. He not only served as Director, but also as the company's first president when he established Carolinas Virginia Nuclear(1). In his spare time, he established and served as the executive director of the North Carolina Episcopal Church Foundation, Inc. This group has been a blessing to the Christian Church in North Carolina.
Under his direction, a lot of really important stuff got done. Many textile mills survived the Great Depression because to Duke's financial leadership and compassion. He also founded the Duke Power Forestry Department to combat erosion brought on by tenant farms. Among utility companies in the United States, it was among the early efforts of its kind. He was a benevolent benefactor, having contributed to the founding of the John Motley Morehead Foundation and the Duke Endowment.
Lake Norman Cocke was named after Norman Cocke by Duke Energy in 1960. Cocke's president during the project's initial years was vital to its success. It was President Cocke who reached out to Davidson in the first place so that they could establish a campus in Lake Norman Region.
Eleven Lakes Brewery, Cornelius, NC
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