Loray Mill opened in 1902 in Gastonia, North Carolina. Gaston County was the centerpiece of textile processing in the South. Gastonia was nicknamed “Spindle City.” Loray Mill was the largest mill in the South at the time, and was dubbed the “million dollar mill.” In 1935, Firestone Tire and Rubber bought the mill and produced tire cording for the next 60 years. Firestone donated the mill to Preservation North Carolina in the mid-1990s. Today, the mill has been renovated to offer commercial and residential areas, as well as the Alfred C. Kessell History Center.
The Alfred C. Kessell History Center hosts history and community events. Here is one upcoming free event. Please note that, although it is free, there is a suggested donation of $5.
Architecture and History Walking Tour of the Loray Mill Village
March 8, 2018 (rain date is March 13)
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Want to know more about the Loray mill village? Join Jack Kiser, Loray mill village project manager and resident of Gastonia for 40 years, for an architecture and history walking tour of the Loray mill village! This 1.1 mile route will include Greasy Corner, a boarding house, and three mill house types-including an inside look at the completely renovated model, as well as updates on the work Preservation North Carolina is doing in the neighborhood.
Please dress for the weather, and wear your walking shoes. Tour will start in front of Loray Mill.
Suggested donation of $5. Reservations are encouraged! Please RSVP to aholland@presnc.org.
Rain date is March 13th.
Charlotte on the Cheap is a member of 
