A  view of the south side of the 100th block of West Main Avenue at the close of a business day in July 1974.

Gastonia, North Carolina was established at the intersection of two railroads in 1877. The textile industry was planted in the city in 1887 and found fertile ground for its flourishing with the rapid growth of many mills and their accompanying employee villages. In 1976, with the opening of Eastridge Mall, Uptown ceased to be Gastonia's retail center. The area then endured two major governmental redevelopment projects: a devastating Main Avenue "beautification" that reduced onstreet parking and drove several struggling businesses out of existence and the lowering of Southern Railway's main line tracks into a ditch that wiped out one-third of the city's built environment. The twenty-first century witnessed the demise of textiles as a major industry in the United States. The center city, which by that time had become known as "Downtown" (possibly because of the direction it had taken), continued a long, slow decline as development increased at a fever pitch on the eastern fringe of the city. In recent years, there has been growing hope that private development would bring life back to the lightly-traveled streets, and much progress has indeed been made. But the tentacles of government have once again moved into the arena, bringing attention and controversy back to the heart of Gastonia. This is where we are in 2008.
Here on this website we celebrate what was, is, and again might be. Along the way we hope to assist in the efforts to make the forgotten places again full of life and vitality. Welcome and enjoy.

We are adding new material to this website several times weekly.
(Last updated September 2, 2008.)
Visit us often.

The late 1940's addition to the First National Bank (Lawyers' Building) has been removed. This beneficial demolition has uncovered the architectural grandeur of the structure that once welcomed travelers as they made their way through the landscaped walkway that passed between it and the old Post Office from the Southern Railway station to Main Avenue. That which is now visible is breathtaking to anyone who loves Uptown/Downtown Gastonia or just beautiful architecture in general. You must see it! (Pictures will soon be displayed on this website.)

Gastonia's Brookwood Historic District is preparing to compile its history. If you have information about, or once lived in Brookwood (located on South Chester Street, below the former Gastonia/Ashley High School buildings), please contact historicbrookwood@gmail.com.

Are you a member of a breakfast group that meets regularly at a Gastonia eatery?
Share with us who you are, what you call your group, when you meet, where you meet, and how your group came to be. (We will publish your best Gastonia tales...tall or otherwise.)

Be sure to read the forgotten story of the "First Union" building
on the Journal page.
(Just as every life weaves a tale, so does every structure built by the hand of man.)
Saved for now! See the update posted August 14.

Visit the Time Travel page. We can teach you how to do it (almost).

Share your Gastonia news, stories, and pictures here!

Invite every Gastonian you know to visit and participate.
Life is fleeting; make the most of it by remembering how you became who you are.

Add this site to your "favorites," and patronize the businesses mentioned herein.
(Tell them they were mentioned on vintagegastonia.com.)

Send us the favorite radio stations of your youth and your favorite Gastonia eating establishments here. NO CHAIN RESTAURANTS ALLOWED!

Visit the Gastonia History page!
Noted Gastonia and Gaston County historian Robert Allison Ragan tells the story of the founding of
Gastonia, North Carolina!
(Part 1 was posted September 2, 2008.)

Gastonians! Realize the treasure you possess!

Trenton Street tiles November 23, 2003

Our state-of-the-art mobile advertising unit in Downtown Gastonia July, 6, 2008.

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