Charlotte workers who like to get away from the bustle of in-town life after a long day at work might want to consider the resort-like lifestyle found in the Lake Wylie area, which starts in the southwest corner of Mecklenburg County and extends across the S.C. state line into York County and northward into Gaston County.
Dozens of new developments are popping up around the lake, and as growth continues, waterfront property is becoming more and more scarce, driving up property values.
The community of Lake Wylie – on S.C. 49 just across the Buster Boyd Bridge – is not an incorporated city, but a collection of neighborhoods and businesses around the lake’s 327-mile shoreline. The lake was created in 1904 and named for Dr. W. Gill Wylie, who helped persuade his patient, J.B. “Buck” Duke, to dam the Catawba River to generate hydroelectric power. The move sparked a wave of textile manufacturing in Mecklenburg, Gaston and York counties.
Today, the residents of this area have come together in lieu of a city government to preserve and improve the vacation atmosphere that comes with living on the lake. The Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce has been a strong force in this unincorporated area, rallying to bring businesses to the area, regulate growth and acquire government dollars for infrastructure improvements.
One such improvement is the widening of N.C./S.C. 49 and the Buster Boyd Bridge. The commute from Lake Wylie to Charlotte along N.C. 49 has long been a popular but congested route, and residents celebrated the opening of the four-lane thoroughfare in 2005.
On the Mecklenburg County side of Lake Wylie is McDowell Park, located on N.C. 49 just as you approach the bridge. The park offers a sweeping view of some of the most scenic areas of Lake Wylie accessible by car. The 1,108-acre, county-operated nature preserve offers hiking, camping and a nature center with educational programs for kids and adults.
On the Fourth of July, Lake Wylie is a popular place to see a patriotic display of fireworks. Boats assemble near the bridge and landlubbers park their cars nearby to see the colorful display. During the Christmas season, boaters decorate their rigs with lights and wreaths for the annual Christmas boat parade.
If you plan to go boating or skiing, check the safety regulations imposed by the Lake Wylie Marine Commission (www.lakewyliemarinecommission.com). Among other things, the rules require a third person aboard each boat pulling a skier (the third person serves as an observer) and set restrictions on blood-alcohol content for water skiers.
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