History of Harmony
Harmony, North Carolina was incorporated 1927. The town takes its name from the Harmony Hill Camp Meetings, which were first held in 1846 on the grounds of the present-day Harmony Elementary School. The town sits at the crossroads of Highway 21 N and Highway 901 in north Iredell County. As of the 2020 census, Harmony's population was 543.
Timeline
1846-1907
Camp Meeting Grounds Era
The area that would become the Town of Harmony has its roots in the Harmony Hill Camp Meeting, a two-week revival first held in 1846. This gathering, still held the second weekend every October, drew people from across the region and established the crossroads of Highway 21 N and Highway 901 in north Iredell County as a community gathering place.
- Harmony Hill Camp Meeting first held in 1846
- Two-week revival tradition continues today
- Community forms at crossroads of Highway 21 N and Highway 901
1908-1927
Harmony Academy & Farm Life School
In 1908, Harmony Academy was established, providing education to the growing community. By 1916, it became the Harmony Farm Life School, a vocational agricultural high school. The Smith-Hughes Act brought vocational training programs to the school, strengthening the agricultural education mission that served the rural community.
- 1908: Harmony Academy established
- 1916: Became Harmony Farm Life School (vocational agricultural high school)
- Smith-Hughes Act brought vocational training
1927-1966
Town Incorporation & Growth
The Town of Harmony was officially incorporated in 1927, located at the crossroads of Highway 21 N and Highway 901 in north Iredell County. In 1928, the Farm Life School became Harmony High School. The town grew around its school, churches, and the enduring tradition of the annual camp meeting.
- 1927: Town of Harmony officially incorporated
- 1928: Became Harmony High School
- Community grows around school and camp meeting tradition
1966-Present
Modern Harmony
In 1966, county consolidation turned Harmony High School into an elementary school. Today, the Town of Harmony (population 543, 2020 census) maintains its small-town character with a public library, family park, community center, public elementary school, post office, and volunteer fire department. The Harmony Hill Camp Meeting continues every October, connecting modern Harmony to its 1846 roots.
- 1966: County consolidation — high school becomes elementary school
- Population 543 (2020 census)
- Town amenities: library, family park, community center, post office, volunteer fire department
Landmarks
1927
Town Hall
3389 Harmony Hwy, Harmony, NC 28634
Town Hall has served as the center of government and civic life in Harmony since the town's incorporation in 1927. It continues to house town offices and serve as the meeting place for the Board of Aldermen.
Community Center
Harmony, NC
The Community Center provides a dedicated space for community gatherings, events, and civic activities. It serves as a vital hub for the people of Harmony.
1846
Harmony Hill Camp Meeting Grounds
On the grounds of present-day Harmony Elementary School
The Harmony Hill Camp Meeting Grounds are the birthplace of the Harmony community. The two-week revival was first held in 1846 and continues to be held the second weekend every October. The grounds are located on the present-day Harmony Elementary School campus.