Gaston County, North Carolina
Beam's Shell Service Station and Office, (Former)
Belmont Abbey Cathedral
Belmont Abbey Historic District
Belmont Historic District
Belmont Hosiery Mill
Bessemer City Downtown Historic District
Carpenter, Andrew, House
Central School
Cherryville Downtown Historic District
City Hospital-Gaston Memorial Hospital
Craig Farmstead
Dallas Graded and High School
Dallas Historic District
Downtown Gastonia Historic District
Downtown Mount Holly Historic District
First National Bank Building
Gaston County Courthouse
Gastonia High School
Hoyle House
Hoyle, Eli, House
Jenkins, David, House
Loray Mill Historic District
Loray Mill Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Mayworth School
McAdenville Historic District
Mount Holly Cotton Mill
Robinson-Gardner Building
Seaboard Air Line Railway Depot
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Third National Bank Building
Trenton Cotton Mills
US Post Office, Former
Wilson, William J., House
York-Chester Historic District
Andrew Carpenter House
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont World War II Memorial
Cannon-Lentz House
Cherryville Veterans Memorial
City Jail
Confederate Soldiers Monument
Dallas
Daniel E. Rhyne
Eli Hoyle House
Federal Bonded Liquor Warehouse
First Gaston County Courthouse
Flood of 1916
Gaston County Courthouse (former)
Gaston County Home
Goshen Presbyterian Church
Hoffman Hotel 1852
Home of Christian Mauney
Jail - 1848
John F Black School House
John Fulenwider
Joseph Dickson
King's Pinnacle
Loray Strike
Noah Benjamin Kendrick House
North Carolina Orthopedic Hospital
North Carolina/South Carolina
Oak Grove
Orignal City Hall
Piedmont & Northern RR Depot
R. Gregg Cherry
Rhyne Store
S.P. & E.P. Stowe House
Saint Joseph's Catholic Church
Smoke House
Smyre - Pasour House
St. Joseph's
Stuart W. Cramer
Tryon County
Vietnam Memorial
William C. Friday
William Chronicle
During the 19th century, Gaston County experienced significant development and growth, largely due to its proximity to natural resources like cotton and the Catawba River. The arrival of the railroad in the mid-1800s further bolstered the county's economy, leading to the establishment of textile mills and other industries. This era of industrialization transformed Gaston County into a thriving manufacturing hub.
Gaston County played a significant role in the Civil War, with many of its residents joining the Confederate forces. The blockade of southern ports during the war severely impacted the county's textile industry, but it recovered in the post-war years. The economy continued to diversify and expand throughout the 20th century, with the rise of new industries like furniture manufacturing and automotive parts production.
In recent years, Gaston County has focused on revitalizing its downtown areas and supporting economic development. The county continues to attract businesses and residents, with its affordable cost of living, scenic beauty, and diverse recreational opportunities. Today, Gaston County is a vibrant community with a mix of urban and rural areas, preserving its rich history while embracing progress and innovation.
Brief timeline of the history of Gaston County, North Carolina:
- 1846 - Gaston County is established as a county in North Carolina.
- 1861-1865 - Gaston County residents enlist to fight in the American Civil War.
- 1874 - The Gastonia Gazette, the county's first newspaper, is published.
- 1887 - Gaston County's first textile mill, the Loray Mill, begins operation.
- 1905 - The city of Gastonia is incorporated.
- 1929 - Gaston County experiences economic growth with the establishment of more textile mills.
- 1937 - The Gastonia Strike takes place in response to poor working conditions in the textile industry.
- 1960s - Integration and civil rights issues impact Gaston County.
- 1992 - Gaston County's tourism industry expands with the opening of the U.S. National Whitewater Center.
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Gaston County, North Carolina.