Oaklawn Home - Cabarrus County

When my family relocated to Western Cabarrus County from Raleigh in the Summer of 2018, my oldest son, Colton, took notice of an old farmhouse at the crossroads of Poplar Tent and Harris Roads.  He called this white, two-story, hidden by trees, farmhouse, "The Spooky House."  The metal fence and gated driveway with signs that read "Private Property" and "Smile! You're on Camera" added to the "spooky" feel.

This home on what is known as the Oaklawn property was built in 1836 by Dr. Edwin Harris.  From 1938 until 2019, it was home to John Mack Cannon and his descendants.  Like many old farm homes and surrounding property, it would eventually gain the interest of developers.

The Oaklawn Home was dismantled in June 2021.

Various plans to develop the Oaklawn property were proposed and faced strong local opposition.  One controversial plan called for a mix of townhomes, apartments, and retail space.  A local neighborhood group called "Save Poplar Tent" protested several proposals during the mid-late 2010s. 

Bobbie Cannon Motley, the daughter of John Mack Cannon, owned the home and property until sold in October 2020.   As a response to the debate on the development of the Oaklawn property, Motley wrote a series of columns titled "Life at Oaklawn" for the Concord Independent Tribune from 2019-2021.  One of her columns was about a possible ghost that resided at the house, which would earn it the "Spooky" nickname Colton gave it.

During the summer of 2021 - after efforts to move the Oaklawn home failed - the farmhouse was taken down.  Timber and other building materials were preserved and stored for when Oaklawn will be reconstructed at another location.  In its place will be the Oaklawn Mills Townhomes.