Pott’s Barbershop has been in the same spot on Catawba Avenue since the 1960s. It was originally opened in 1952. The building was designated as a historic landmark by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historical Landmark Commission in October, 2021. The shop is the oldest business in Cornelius owned by African Americans. Pott’s Barbershop became the first integrated barbershop in town, and likely the first in northern Mecklenburg County. 

Constructed in 1922, this former Rosenwald School served the African American community of Cornelius until 1954. The location of this school was once a thriving, predominantly Black community called Smithville. The community namesakes', James and Clifford Smith, provided land for the school which served African American children during the school's years of operation. The wooden school was constructed based on Rosenwald's floor plan No. 3, which could support three teachers. After integration, Smithville served as a community center, but it is currently abandoned. After becoming a historical landmark in 2006, the community is looking for new ways to use the school building.

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