It was established in 1796 near the center of the county to serve as the capital of local authority. It began as a small hamlet and have become the most important cotton marketplace for an area that included parts of many surrounding counties.

Denver NC is, the shopping amusement destination of the Carolinas and most popular visitor attraction in North Carolina, options over two hundred stores including manufacturer and retail outlets and interactive stores like Bass Professional Retailers Outside World, Sun & Ski and Build-A-Bear. Other standard looking destinations embody Cannon Village with its Colonial-era ambiance, Carolina Mall and Historic Downtown Denver NC.