06/14/2026
Mooresville in other years..... 98 years ago...
The year is 1928, and America is still rockin’—or at least still doing the Charleston—through the final glow of the Roaring Twenties. President Calvin Coolidge, known as “Silent Cal,” presides over a nation riding high on prosperity.
In sports, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and the rest of the “Murderers’ Row” Yankees dominate again, sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in four straight games to claim another World Series.
On the silver screen, Mickey Mouse makes his debut in Steamboat Willie, the first cartoon synchronized with sound—ushering in a new era of entertainment.
And in the skies, Charles “Lucky Lindy” Lindbergh receives the Medal of Honor for his daring solo transatlantic flight the year before, a symbol of courage and innovation that defined the age.
Meanwhile in Mooresville, Clarence Pharr "CP" McNeely was serving as the 15th Mayor of the town.
In the predawn hours of June 12, 1928, Mooresville doctor, Alan Barry “A.B” Sloan was returning home from a night call with one of his patients . As he came into town and neared his office (the corner of E Center Ave and Main St above present day “Hair of the Dog”) he heard and was startled by the whirl of a very low flying and loud airplane. Not being able to see the plane because of the fog, he took out his flashlight and started shining it skyward. Lights began to flicker on in nearby houses and other citizens joined Dr. Sloan in shining their flashlights toward the heavens. In short order around 12 townsmen assembled and determined that whoever was flying just above their rooftops (it was reported that the plane was only about 100 feet above them) was in trouble and needed to land.
This was no ordinary pilot or plane. At the controls was famed Mexican aviator Capt. Emilio Carranza, lost in a shroud of dense fog during his bold attempt to fly non‑stop from Mexico City to Washington, D.C.
Thus began Mooresville’s first taste of national recognition.
For more on this exciting, fascinating, and ultimately tragic story, please visit The Mooresville Museum.
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