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Latest Events

130th Birthday Celebration

Downtown Discoveries Walking Tour

Historical Walking Tour

The City of Gastonia is celebrating its 130th birthday. As part of the celebration
the city is offering a historical walking tour of downtown Gastonia.

Interactive Map

To view the interactive map of the tour and get directions
to the various buildings Click Here

Lawyer's Building 168 - 170 West Main Avenue Built: 1916-1917 Built as First National Bank and designed by Wilson & Sompayrac of Columbia, S. C. Features bearded faces and great detail. Listed on National Register 02/20/86.
	George W. Ragan Building 110 - 128 East Main Avenue Built: 1912 Designed by Charlotte architect, Louis H. Asbury. Originally housed for stores on the first level and offices above.
S. H. Kress Building 111 West Main Avenue Built: 1925 Features Art Deco style of architecture with multicolored title panels
	Robinson-Garder Building 173-175 West Main Avenue Built: 1898 Originally built as Robinson Brothers Shoe Store. Oldest remaining structure in central business district. Also served as Warren Gardner's clothing store for many years. Listed in the National Register 04/09/99.
Commercial Building 195 West Main Avenue Built: 1923 Originally built as the Third National Bank. Designed by the Washington, D.C. firm of Milburn and Heister. In 1926, merged with three other banks to become Commercial Bank and Trust. Lobby Features marble-sheathed walls. Listed on National Register 02/20/86.
	Standard Hardware 148-156 South Street Built: 1922 Brown-Harry Company contractors. Features an atrium through center of building. Placed on National Register study list 04/09/87.
Garland Center 151 South Street Built: 1910 Originally built as the Gaston County Courthouse. Designed by Washington, D.C. firm Milburn and Heister who also designed 16 other courthouses in North Carolina. Listed on the National Register 05/10/79.
	Webb Theatre 182-190 South Street Built: 1927 Designed by Hugh E. White. Placed on National Register study list 04/09/97.
City Hall 240 West Franklin Boulevard Built: 1926 Designed by local architect Hugh E. White. Once housed the fire department, police department and jail. Main hallway on first floor has a barrel-vaulted ceiling. Listed on National Register study list 04/09/87.
	Unity Place 201 West Franklin Boulevard 1923 Originally built as First Baptist Church by Charlotte architect, Willard G. Rogers. Exceptional green tile, octagonal lantern top tower, circular stained glass windows, and cloister of arches enhance the church. Placed on National Register study list in 1996.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church 258 West Franklin Boulevard Built: 1918 Neo-classical style originally built as First ARP church was sold in 1948 to St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Contains large arch-headed stained-glass windows. Built by Mr. C. W. Spencer a Gastonia contractor.
	United States Post Office Building 301 West Main Avenue Built: 1935 Two-story, flat-roofed brick structure was designed by Charlotte architects, Mr. Charles C. Hook and Mr. Walter W. Hook. The interior contains a mural commissioned by WPA (Work Projects Administration), Marble wainscoting and Art Deco pilasters.
Kirby Building 320 West Main Avenue Built: 1922 Built by contractor, H. B. Pattilo to house A. J. Kirby's music store. The two-story, three-bay brick building has a façade of pressed brick.
	John F. Love Building 213-223 West Main Avenue Built: 1904 One of the earliest structures in the heart of Gastonia's central business district. Built by Mr. John F. Love, son of Gastonia textile leader R.C.G Love.
Morris Jewelers 210-207 West Main Avenue Built: 1900 Originally built as the Frost Torrence Building. This structure housed a drug store on the first level and Gastonia's first and only opera house on the second level.
	Citizen's National Bank 185 West Main Avenue Built: Early 1920's Designed by Hugh White this richly detailed stone bank building is a fine example of Neo-classical style.

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