The first NC 74 was an original state highway that began at NC 15 (now just NC 73) Concord and headed east on today's NC 73 to Mt. Pleasant and Albemarle (used Old Concord Rd near Millingport and Main St through Albemarle), then NC 73 to Pee Dee. From there is used "Old NC 27" to Wadeville, then NC 109 to Troy, then NC 24-27 to Biscoe and Carthage before using Union Stage Rd and US 15-501 to end at NC 50 (current US 1) south of Tramway.
In 1927, NC 74 from Carthage to Tramway was renumbered as part of NC 75 (now US 15-501).

NC 74 east of Carthage 1926 Official

NC 75 replaces NC 74 1929 Official

In 1927 or 1928, NC 74 was extended west as new primary highway along today's McGill St, Poplar Tent Rd, a small bit of today's NC 73 and Mayes Rd to end at NC 26 (now NC 115) Caldwell.
In 1930, NC 74 was rerouted from Concord to Caldwell, using Mayes Rd and today's NC 73 all the way in to Concord.
About 1932, NC 74 was rerouted off of Old Concord Rd near Millingport and put on today's NC 73.
In 1933, NC 74 was extended north on US 21/NC 26 to Cornelius, then west as new primary routing to end at NC 271 (current NC 16) Triangle.
In 1934, NC 74 was rerouted away from Caldwell and instead over today's Davidson-Concord Rd to Davidson.
In late 1934, NC 74 was renumbered as NC 73 from Triangle to Pee Dee and NC 27 from Pee Dee to Carthage.

NC 74 original end at Concord 1924 Official

NC 74 extended to US 21 1929 Official

NC 74 straightened out west of Concord 1930 Official

NC 74 extended to NC 271 1933 Official

NC 73 replaces NC 74 on the western end 1936 Official

NC 74 Albemarle to Carthage 1933 Official

NC 27 extended to Carthage 1935 Gen Draft