Definition: That which is intended to last for one day; of brief duration; short-lived.
Therefore, ephemera is used as a term to describe newspaper articles, pictures, pamphlets, brochures, handbills, letters, invoices, etc. that were intended for a definite purpose at a specific point in time. Ephemeral material, then, gives us possibly the clearest view of history as it was actually happening. We are looking for any such half-forgotten, Gastonia-themed items you might have that were put away long ago in a desk drawer, shoe box, trunk, or book. Please share them with Gastonians everywhere. We will be happy to scan and return them, or you may send an image as an e-mail attachment.

Letterhead Collection courtesy of Robert A. Ragan
(Click on an image to see slideshow.)

"PACEMAKER OF THE PIEDMONT" BROCHURE
Published by the Gastonia Chamber of Commerce and the Gastonia Industrial Diversification Commission in the early 1960's, this brochure highlighted the progress Gastonia had made toward independence from a textiles-dominated industrial base. Ironically, all of the industries featured in the brochure disappeared along with textiles.

Advertising card from Quinn's Gulf Service Station at the southeast corner of West Franklin Avenue and South Chester Street. Submitted by Martha Miller.

Seal of "Town of Gastonia, N.C." The town's charter and bylaws were changed in 1910 to read "City of Gastonia."
(Submitted by Miss Naomi "Maggie" Sost and Darryl Hall.)

Reverse of 1968 calendar from Houser's Esso Service Station.

Validated parking ticket from the A&P grocery store parking lot that was located between the store and the First
Methodist Church educational building on East Main Avenue.

Introductory page from Russell Shaw's Great Smokies - Blue Ridge Guide, published by Russell Shaw Guides, Asheville, N.C., 1948.
Gastonian R. Gregg Cherry was Governor of North Carolina 1944-1948.

Webb Theater discount coupon booklet from the 1950's.The Webb Theater was located on the east side of South Street near Franklin Avenue across from City Hall. The building is now used for city offices.



Akers Motor Lines Scratchpad advertisement from the late 1960's.



Laundry ticket from Star Bright Cleaners, Akers Center, late 1950's.


Matchbook cover from Stowe's Florist, 1960's. Stowe's Florist is still located at the corner of Gaston Avenue and North Firestone Street.

Paper bookmark featuring the Rambling Rebels Drum and Bugle Corps, which was sponsored for many years by
Post 23 of the American Legion.
The Military Museum at Memorial Hall on West Second Avenue features a nice display of Rambling Rebs memorabilia.

Green Valley Golf Club scorecard circa 1965.

Citizens National Bank savings passbook, September 29, 1951.

Great Dane Trailers, Savannah, Georgia, advertisements from Fleet Owners magazine, June 1960, featuring Akers Motor Lines, Inc.,
Gastonia, North Carolina.

Esso (later Exxon) Standard Oil Company National Credit Card, 1957. An early gasoline credit card, issued before embossed plastics, this device consisted of a paper card inserted into a plastic sleeve with a metal embossing plate attached on the reverse.

From complex to simple: The 1957 Crown Credit Card from Crown Central Petroleum Corporation was merely a paper card.

Matchbook cover from The Vogue c. 1950. Notice that it was not necessary to say "Downtown," for that was about the only place in the city 
to shop for nicer clothing.

House plans for "The Gastonia" found in Builders' Architectural Drawing, Self Taught, by Fred T. Hodgson, published 1917.

Holsum Bread Advertisement 1950. (Submitted by William Calhoun.)

1959 advertisement for The Beacon Drive-In, located at the corner of East Franflin Avenue and Willow Street.

Pathfinder News Magazine, July 28, 1948, featuring the cover story of Jack Haynes, a 17-year veteran driver for Akers Motor Lines, as he makes a regular run to New York City carrying products from Gastonia mills.

November 1, 1950 invoice from Leon Schneider Department Store, located at "Two-thirty-three West Main Avenue, in the middle of the block."

A trio of matchbooks: (L-R) In 1976, Gastonia's second bank, Citizens National Bank (established 1905) merged with the Union Trust Company of Shelby, N.C. to form Independence National Bank. In 1981, Independence was purchased by Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T), then of  Wilson, N.C.  M&J Finance Corporation/Credit Company was a small consumer loan and commercial credit provider in North and South Carolina. It ceased operation in the 1960's, but its distinctive buildings are largely in use for other purposes today. (Gastonia's is the Emergency Veterinary Clinic on East Franklin Boulevard.) Todd-Long Picker Apron, Inc. was one of the innumerable machine shops that kept the textile industry humming. Its building, on East Second Avenue, is now occupied by a woodworking company.

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