Vale, Lincoln County, North Carolina facts for kids

Vale is a small, rural community located in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States. Some parts of Vale also stretch into Catawba County. It sits at an elevation of about 1,028 feet (283 meters) above sea level. The main activity in Vale is farming, as most of the area is countryside.

You can reach Vale easily by car from several nearby towns. It's about 10 minutes from Cherryville, 15 minutes from Lincolnton, and around 30 minutes from both Hickory and Morganton. If you're coming from Charlotte, it's about a 55-minute drive. Vale is also about an hour away from the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and around four hours from the coast.

Vale has its own post office, and its ZIP code is 28168.

What is the Cat Square Christmas Parade?

One of the most exciting events in Vale is the annual Cat Square Christmas Parade. This fun parade started in 1974 and is often called the "Best Little Christmas Parade in the Country." During the parade festivities, people even elect a "Mayor of Cat Square." This mayor is mostly a symbolic leader, and their main job is to ride in the parade and wave to everyone!

Historic Places in Vale

Vale is home to the Reinhardt-Craig House, Kiln and Pottery Shop. This historic site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 because of its importance.

A Look at Vale's Past

In the past, Vale became a new home for many African American families during a time known as the Great Migration. Most of these families came from Half Acre Township in Putnam County, Georgia. They built three churches and three elementary schools for their community in Vale. Over time, by 1978, many of these families moved away, and new workers from Mexico came to live in the area.

A famous artist named Minnie Reinhardt, known for her unique "naïve" painting style, grew up right here in Vale.