Davidson is home to two notable historic buildings. The first, the Davidson Colored School, was built in 1911 and was designed by Charlotte architect Willard G. Rogers. The building was built with public works administration funds, and part of the cost was donated by the African American community. The red brick building's unique style is reminiscent of classical architecture. A round arched fanlight capped the entry bay. The building also contains a gymnasium and other classrooms.
The second Davidson landmark is the Davidson Historic District. The neighborhood developed in a linear fashion along North and South Main streets. Most of the buildings are low-scale brick commercial structures typical of small towns in the 1910s and 1920s. The Helper Hotel is one striking exception to this trend. Built in 1848 by merchant Lewis Dinkins, the Helper Hotel reflects the architecture of the debating halls of his Davidson College days.
The southern railway station, now the Southern Railway Depot, is located on Jackson Street. The Southern Railway gave Davidson new opportunities in its economic life. It became an important shipping point for cash crops and served as a hub for local farmers. By the early 1900s, Davidson sold two thousand bales of cotton per year. This attracted textile investors who built mills along the rail corridor in the north end of the Davidson Historic District.
In addition to the Davidson Cotton Mill, the town is home to one of the few surviving early-twentieth century cotton mills. Other notable cotton mill buildings are Linden, Chadwick-Hoskins Mill No. 5, and the Cornelius Cotton Mill. All three have been altered considerably, and the Anchor Mill in Huntersville is also an important development of the county's small towns. Although a lot of the original buildings in the area are in a state of disrepair, the Davidson Cotton Mill is still a major historical site.
While the Davidson College campus is the town's center of activity, a modern downtown has evolved to reflect the changing needs of the town. The town's historic core, originally composed of frame and brick storefronts, has grown into a thriving business district. Along Main Street, opposite the college, there is a complete complement of small-town businesses and services, including a drug store, a tailor shop, a hardware store, a post office, a bank, and several restaurants.
The town's growth was spurred by an increase in the population. During the slow recovery of the region, Davidson College expanded its enrollment and curriculum, and attracted many educational facilities to the town. During the nineteenth century, the town became an official Presbyterian college after the Davidson College merged with fifteen presbyteries. This led to a significant growth of the college, and it soon began offering a wider range of courses. The original Gothic Revival Davidson Methodist Church is still in place on South Main Street.