Gaston County has many wonderful places to live and work. The county’s original primary employers were the textile mills. Many small and quaint towns or villages popped up around the mills and are still here and thriving today. Below are some of the most popular ones...

Stanley
Stanley is located just northeast of Gastonia. Its population is 3053.
Town of Stanley Website - Click Here

Lowell
Lowell is east of and adjacent to Gastonia with a population of 2,662 at the 2000 census.
Town of Lowell Website - Click Here

Mcadenville
McAdenville, also known as Christmastown, is also adjacent to Gastonia. The population was 619 at the 2000 census.

A Christmas tradition in the town for many years has been the decorating of the entire town in Christmas lights. The event is called Christmas Town USA. The lights attract visitors from all over the country, and is one of the biggest light shows in the US. Begun in 1956 with the assistance of Pharr Yarns, the largest employer and land owner in the town, many trees and buildings in the town are covered in Christmas lights and some form of decoration. The lights are entirely maintained by volunteers from the community and no admission is charged. Pharr Yarns even picks up the electric bill for the event.