Gastonia, NC

Gastonia is a city in the western portion of North Carolina as well as the county seat of Gaston County. The city had a population of 71,000 in 2007, the result of a steady increase since 2000, when the U.S. census recorded 66,000 residents.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

With a majority of its homes built in the 1920s, York Chester is the oldest district in Gastonia and was declared a historic district in 1988. The district features a multitude of homes in differing architectural styles, ranging from Gothic Revival to Colonial. A former high school in the York Chester area, Ashley Arms is now an apartment building that boasts Gothic-inspired design. The building was built in the 1920s and hosts 73 apartments.

Outside of Gastonia's urban center, Gastonia largely comprises suburban neighborhoods.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Throughout much of its history, Gastonia has been one of the region's most important industrial centers. Textiles have traditionally played a significant part in the city's economy, though other manufacturing pursuits have steadily replaced that sector in recent years. Among the resident manufacturing firms are Freightliner LLC and Curtiss-Wright, both of which deal in airplane engines and related products. The yarn giant Parkdale Mills has its headquarters and two factories in Gaston.

The Gaston County government, including the Gaston County School system, is a major local employer as well.

BEST BETS

Schiele Museum of Natural History: The offerings at the Schiele Museum revolve largely around dioramas and interpretive installations detailing the life and history of North America's native peoples and biology. The Hall of North Carolina Natural History depicts the region's wildlife; other sections portray realistic renditions of the continent's largest mammals, such as bison, moose, and elk. Outside, the museum features a nature trail, gardens, and recreations of an Indian settlement, a stone age enclave, and an 18th century settler's shack. Schiele also features several touring exhibitions each year, along with a range of educational opportunities for children and adults alike. It also boasts the only planetarium in the Charlotte area.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden: This 380-acre land tract once served as hunting and fishing grounds for several pre-Columbian Indian peoples and consists largely of pine forests, though it's also known for orchids and the presence of a large number of bluebirds. The garden directors also maintain an impressive array of educational programs ranging from information on botany in general to specific gardening techniques covering the cultivation of tomatoes, cattleya orchids, and a variety of tropical plants; other events involve bird-watching, plant-related arts and crafts, and photography.

Crowders Mountain State Park: Encompassing over 2,000 acres, Crowders is home to the peaks of Crowders Mountain and King's Pinnacle, both of which provide excellent views of nearby Kings Mountain. The park includes three hiking trails that, though totaling less than 4.5 miles in length, are generally difficult due to their steep inclines and prevalent drop-offs.

Kings Mountain National Military Park: This federally operated military park is among the largest of its kind, consisting of some 4,000 acres. Its main purpose is to preserve the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain, a one-hour battle that many believe to have turned the tide of the Revolutionary War in America's favor. The battle was also notable for the preponderance of riflemen among the revolutionary combatants, in an age when rifles were not widely used among armed forces.

FOR VISITORS

U.S. National Whitewater Center: Understandably enough, whitewater rafting is chief among the draws at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, which is home to the world's largest artificial whitewater river. However, the 307-acre facility is also a major local destination for kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking. The center also features other recreational attractions including a ropes course and climbing rocks, as well as a conference center and a restaurant. Perhaps most significantly, it serves as an official U.S. Olympic Training Site, so visitors can sometimes watch the U.S. National Slalom Canoe/Kayak Team at practice.

Gaston County Museum of Art and History: Among other things, Gaston County Museum covers the region's strong historical ties to the textile industry. The museum's sizable permanent collection includes over 5,000 pieces, 20,000 documents, and 400,000 photographs; these items provide a collective overview of regional history from the 16th century to the present day. The Stowe Carriage House, a collection of restored horse-drawn vehicles dating from the late 19th century to early 20th century, has been one of the museum's signature attractions since its opening in 1991.

C. Grier Beam Truck Museum: Featuring trucks, photos, and related memorabilia dating as far back as 1927, the C. Grier Beam Truck Museum provides guests with a detailed look at the history of the trucking industry in general and the Carolina Freight company in particular. The collection is housed within the original gas station in which Carolina Freight first originated in 1932. The museum is named for founder C. Grier Beam, who grew the company from a one-man operation into a major regional trucking firm in just five years. Aside from a collection of vintage trucks, the museum is also home to a series of memorial plaques and a gift shop.

SHOPPING

Gaston is home to several shopping centers as well as the larger Gaston Mall, all of which cater in large part to shoppers hailing from smaller towns around the region.