The story says eastern Lincoln county. I am not exactly sure, but I think it is between Lincolnton and Lake Norman. I'm pretty sure I have been by there going to high school football games at East Lincoln High. I'm in Morganton.
I drove through Iron Station yesterday. It is just East of Lincolnton and a little South on Highway 27. It is almost in Lincolnton's city limits. I went your direction; Valdese, and I took the back roads. I really like driving through those small, old towns.