Why is Lawson's community clubhouse and amenity center reminiscent of a historic mill?
The answer to this question is found in the history of the land where this Waxhaw NC neighborhood is under construction. In fact, the developers named the community after John Lawson, an English naturalist who followed an ancient Indian trading path to the land of the Waxhaw Indians and in 1701 described the area as "Lower Providence, a land set apart." Lawson's developers asked the Trading Paths Association (TPA) to evaluate the land prior to development. The TPA discovered a place called "Five Forks", which was the spot where five ancient roads met above a mill site called Howard's Mill. It is believed that a small settlement thrived at Five Forks in the mid-1700s.
Lawson Community Plan and Amenities 
Lawson's master plan encompasses over 500 acres of rolling wooded land preserving a third of the acreage in common areas. These common areas containing miles of walking/hiking trails and natural parks buffer the individual neighborhoods within Lawson. The ruins of the 19th century Howard's Mill and other archeological finds are included in these common areas. Lawson's community amenities include the Millhouse Clubhouse with fitness center, winter lodge, and nature center, swimming pool with water slide, tennis courts, and playground.
Lawson Schools
Lawson children attend Kensington Elementary School. In 2009-2010, middle and high school students will attend Cuthbertson Middle School and Cuthbertson High School, currently under construction within a mile of Lawson.
Lawson Real Estate 
Both new and resale homes are available in Lawson, which will eventually have approximately 800 homes. Ryland, St. Lawrence and Orleans are currently building new homes in the neighborhood. As of December 2008, Ryland's home range in size from 2900 sq.ft. to almost 4000 sq.ft. with base prices ranging from $310,000 to $375,000. Orleans homes range in price from the $360,000s to the $420,000s. St. Lawrence Homes offers homes from $400,000 to $524,000.
The Carolina Multiple Listing Service reports 24 year-to-date sales in Lawson. Prices ranged from $267,000 for a 2200 sq.ft. home to $558,000 for a 4100 sq.ft. home. The average sales price in Lawson during 2008 was $387,386 and average square footage was 3734 sf.
Want to know more about buying or selling real estate in Waxhaw NC?
Visit www.CarolinaSmallTownLiving.com.
About the author: Carol Fox of Allen Tate Realtors is a veteran agent who has been selling the rolling woodlands, horse farms and neighborhoods of Waxhaw NC for over twenty years.
Copyright 2008. Carol Fox. All rights reserved. "Waxhaw NC Neighborhoods: Lawson"
