Hill's Gastonia (Gaston County, N.C.) City Directory [1961], Part 2

Author: Hill Directory Company.
Publication date: 1961
Publisher: Hill Directory Co.
Number of Pages: 1214

USA > North Carolina > Gaston County > Gastonia > Hill's Gastonia (Gaston County, N.C.) City Directory [1961] > Part 2

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Public Libraries-1, with 105,000 volumes and 360,450 annual circulation. Seven branches.

City Statistics -- Total street mileage, paved 152; Sewers, 225; number of water meters 12,028; number light meters, 12,927; capacity of water works, 12.5 million gallons daily; daily average pumpage, 5.9 m.g.d .; miles of mains, 180; number of fire hydrants, 751. Fire department has 44 persons with 3 stations, ten pieces of motor equipment, and 100 fire alarm boxes. Police department has 58 men, with one station, and 12 pieces of motor equipment. Value of Municipal property is $14,950,434.

History and Location

Gastonia is the trade center of an area first settled in the year 1735 by Scotch-Irish and Germans who had lived for a time in Pennsylvania. These early pioneers were attracted here by the mild climate, numerous springs and streams, and fertile soil. Their fair attitude and high standards of living won the friendship of the powerful Catawba Indians, who often fought beside them against unfriendly Indian tribes and also in their Revolutionary War struggles. It is not surprising that the Battle of Kings Mountain, turning point of the Revo- lution, was fought 20 miles from Gastonia by these same pioneers, determined to keep their religious and political freedom.

Photo by Harley Ferguson

Twenty miles west of Gastonia a National Military Park, the turning point of the Revolutionary War. Thousands of tourists visit this historic spot every year. This is a picture of the battleground monument.

INTRODUCTION

The Changing Scene

Seventy-five years ago this was an undeveloped, backwoods community with nothing to indicate that it was destined to become a giant industrial center. In 1848 some local citizens, recognizing the county's rich natural resources, built the Mountain Island and Woodlawn cotton mills. But industrial development did not begin in earnest until a railroad was built through Gaston County in 1872, bringing the manufacturers into touch with available raw material supplies and the large consuming markets of the nation.

Growing

TEMPLE

COMMERCE

Gastonia's Main Street and shopping district.

One of the Largest Tire Fabric Plants Under One Roof in the World, located in Gastonia.

O. G. PENEGAR CO., INC.

OF NORTH CAROLINA FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

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LOAN ASSN.

GASTONIA MUTUAL SAVINGS &

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INTRODUCTION

Industrial Supremacy

Today Gastonia has 48 textile manufacturing plants and Gaston county 128 plants. The county has I,250,000 textile spindles, half of which are in Greater Gastonia. The native-born labor is dependable and highly intelligent, and there is no discernable friction in industrial relationships between employer and em- ployee. The list of Gaston's manufactured products is long and is constantly growing longer and more varied. Here are a few of the products: Carded, comb- ed cotton, synthetic and worsted yarns, hosiery, shoe laces, knit goods, woven labels, tire fabric, sewing thread, woven cotton and synthetic goods, heat-re- sistant textiles, gears, drives, castings, brushes, card clothing, reneedling, rolls, ring travelers, weavers' knotters, belting, textile aprons, dyeing machinery, forgings, and many other textile machines and machine parts; also, business forms, boats, chemicals, resisters and other electrical goods, motor oil filters, corrugated boxes, chain saws, riding lawn mowers, molded plastics, Venetian blinds, leather products, upholstered furniture, tools and dies, and many other items incident to any well balanced community.

Machinery Made In Gastonia Finds Its Way to the Far Corners of the Earth.

Gastonia's labor is one of its great assets.

INTRODUCTION

XIII

More and More People

Each decennial census has recorded a substantial growth in population. Population figures since 1880 are as follows:

1880 - 236

1930 - 17,093

1890 - 1,033

1940 - 21,313

1900 - 4,610

1950 - 23,069

1910 - 5,759

1955 - 34,389 (Special

1920 - 12,871

Census Enumeration) 1960-37,276

Gastonia is located on U. S. Highway No. 29 from Washington to Atlanta, frequently referredto as the "Main Street of the South," and also on Interstate No. 85 soon to be constructed.

Excellent Transportation

Gastonia is on the main double-track line of Southern Railway from New York to New Orleans, and is also served by the Carolina and Northwestern and the Piedmont and Northern Railways. Important highways running through the city include U. S. 29, "The Main Street of the South," U. S. 321, U. S. 74, and N. C. Highways 7 and 274. Three bus lines plus a number of motor-freight and express companies operate in all directions from Gastonia. Gastonia is only 20 minutes from the Charlotte airport, served by Eastern, Delta, Capital, Southeastern and Piedmont air lines. Gastonia has one landing field on the city's outskirts, and one airport.

Power is an Important Factor

Adequate power is an industrial necessity, and Gastonia is fortunate in having an abundant supply. Several of the Duke Power Company's mammoth hydro-electric and steam auxiliary plants are close by in Gaston County. Any- one considering Gastonia as a place to live or as the location of a business can be sure of the highest type of service as well as the most economical rates.

Natural Gas

The Public Service Company of N. C. has made natural gas available in Gastonia. It comes from the fields in Texas, brought by the Trans-continental Pipe Line Company, and the pipe line is within 1-1/3 miles of Gastonia's limits.

Water and Electricity

Gastonia has a splendid new, modern water plant with clear water source. Electricity, purchased by the city from Duke Power Company, is retailed to residential and industrial users. Users outside the city are served directly by Duke Power Company.

O. G. PENEGAR CO., INC.

OF NORTH CAROLINA FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

LOAN ASSN.

GASTONIA MUTUAL SAVINGS &

XIV

INTRODUCTION

Rankin Lake, the eighty-five acre artificial lake which impounds 250 million gallons of water, the source of Gastonia's supply of fine water.

Telecommunications

Splendid telephone service is furnished Gastonia and the numerous nearby towns and cities by the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Co.

Financial

North Carolina has no ad valorem tax on property. Rate for the city of Gas- tonia is $1.50 per $100, and for the County of Gaston, $1.20 on $100 valuation. The stable government of North Carolina is fair to capital and to labor, and has a sympathetic understanding of industry's problems.

There are two strong national banks in Gastonia and two thriving savings and loan associations, all giving efficient service to the community.

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One of Gastonia's Modern Junior High Schools.

Education

The splendid school system is made up of 20 modern school plants, with an enrollment of 14,000 in the metropolitan area. Gastonia is also the home of Gas- ton Technical Institute, operated under auspices of the School of Engineering of N. C. State College, where technical courses are offered in civil technology, elec- trical technology, electronics technology, and mechanical and production tech- nology. The N. C. Vocational Textile School is operated by the Vocational Educa- tion Department of North Carolina, and offers tuition-free courses in yarn man-

INTRODUCTION

ufacturing, weaving, tailoring, knitting, and designing. Both of these schools are valuable to the industrial life of the community. Evans College of Commerce in Gastonia has the important task of training many young people to take their pla- ces in the commercial and industrial field. Belmont Abbey College, a four-year college for men, and Sacred Heart Academy for girls, are located at Belmont, N. C., nine miles from Gastonia. A School of Nursing and the Industrial Educa- tion Center are rendering valuable training in their respective fields. Also in Gastonia, liberal arts courses are available at the Extension Division of North Carolina State College.

Belmont Abbey College, located at Belmont, N. C. ten miles east of Gastonia.

RTH CAROLINA

VOCATIONAL TEXTILE SCHOOL

North Carolina Textile Vocational School, located in Gaston County.

Civic Life

Gastonia is a church-going city, with 100 churches representing practically all the well-known denominations-Protestant, Catholic and Jewish.

The value of active civic clubs is appreciated in Gastonia, where strong units of Rotary, Kiwanis, Civitan, Lions, Optimist, Altrusa, and Pilot clubs are giving valuable service. All the leading fraternal organizations are represented in the city, also. Gastonia Woman's Club owns its own handsome building.

Golf courses, swimming pools, tennis courts, parks, playgrounds and bowl- ing alleys furnish plenty of opportunity for healthful recreation. A favorite rec- reation spot is huge Catawba Lake, formed by Duke Power's Company's develop- ment of the Catawba River. Summer homes and bath houses dot the shoreline of its sprawling waters, and boating, swimming, and water skiing are popular sports.

O. G. PENEGAR CO., INC.

OF NORTH CAROLINA FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

LOAN ASSN.

GASTONIA MUTUAL SAVINGS &

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INTRODUCTION

For the prospective resident, Gastonia is favorably situated. In less than 3 hours by automobile a Gastonian can be in the incomparable mountains of North Carolina, the lovely "Land of the Sky. " He is also only 3 hours away from Pine- hurst and Southern Pines, famous winter resorts. In warmer weather, the tempting Atlantic beaches can be reached in 5 hours.

Gastonia has two splendid general hospitalsfor whites and one for Negroes. In addition, there is also the N. C. Orthopedic Hospital, the only state-owned and state-maintained institution of its kind in the South. It cares for patients of both races.

Water Skiing on Catawba Lake, only eight miles from Gastonia.

There's gracious living in Gastonia.

INTRODUCTION

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Farming Opportunities

Though truck farming has developed rapidly, Gaston still imports thousands of dollars worth of food that could be raised-with profit-in this county. The fast-growing industrial population of the city is a challenge to the farmers of the area to produce more food and feed crops each year. Dairying and poultry farming have advanced a great deal in recent years. Fruit growing, too, is gain- ing in importance, and it is true that no finer peaches can be grown anywhere than those produced in Gaston County. A market for these is close at hand.

Gaston County Dairy Herd.

GASTON TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

Gaston Technical Institute, where technicians are trained for the many phases of work incident to the Piedmont section of North Carolina. The Institute is located at 1025 West Franklin Avenue in Gastonia, and is operated by the Engi- neering Department of N. C. State College.

O. G. PENEGAR CO., INC.

OF NORTH CAROLINA FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

LOAN ASSN.

GASTONIA MUTUAL SAVINGS &

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INTRODUCTION

Anyone wishing more information about this hustling, friendly city of the Piedmont Carolinas and its advantages and resources is cordially invited to write directly to the Gastonia Chamber of Commerce.

Familiar Scenes in Gastonia's Business District.

Photos by Harley Ferguson.

INTRODUCTION

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Machinery Made in Gastonia Finds a Market Throughout the Civilized World.

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A section of the large plant in Gastonia where chain saws are made.

O. G. PENEGAR CO., INC.

OF NORTH CAROLINA FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

LOAN ASSN.

GASTONIA MUTUAL SAVINGS &

INTRODUCTION

One of the numerous plants in Gastonia where textile machinery is made.

YELLOW PAGES

GASTONIA (NORTH CAROLINA)

1961

ASSN. OF NORTH

BONO PUBLICO

AMERICAN

1898

NIZED

DIRLIDIREODIREC

Hill's Gastonia (Gaston County, N.C.) City Directory [1961], Part 2

Author: Hill Directory Company. Publication date: 1961 Publisher: Hill Directory Co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: Hill Directory Company.
Publication date: 1961
Publisher: Hill Directory Co.
Number of Pages: 1214