ARCHAEOLOGY

In 1989 an archaeological survey of Gaston County by the Schiele Museum, funded through a grant administered by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, identified over fifty archaeological sites. Over 280 archaeological sites are recorded in the Historic Preservation Office's files.

ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY

In 1979-1981 a comprehensive architectural survey of Gaston County was conducted as a cooperative local-state project accomplished with grants and staff assistance from the Historic Preservation Office. In 1995, the survey of Belmont was updated in preparation for a proposed National Register historic district nomination.

GRANTS

Since 1978, Gaston County has received $98,037 in federal subgrants from the Historic Preservation Office for architectural and archaeological surveys, the nomination of the Loray Mill and village to the National Register, and restoration of the Hoffman Hotel and the Wilson House. Special state grants of $395,000 have assisted several restoration projects including the Dallas Courthouse/Civic Center, Gastonia Little Theater, the Hoyle House, the William T. Wilson House, the Hoffman Hotel, and the Cherryville Museum.

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

Seventeen historic properties and three districts are listed in the National Register of Historic Places including the Belmont Abbey Cathedral, Andrew Carpenter House (Lucia), Dallas Historic District, First National Bank Building (Gastonia), Gastonia Central High School, St. Joseph's Catholic Church near Mountain Island, the Hoyle House, the William J. Wilson House (Crowder's Creek vicinity), and the former U.S. Post Office in Belmont.

LOCAL PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS

Upon local request, the Historic Preservation Office provides consultation services to the Gaston County Historic Preservation Commission and the Gastonia Historic District Commission. The Historic Preservation Office has reviewed and commented on local designations of two historic districts in Gastonia and twenty-two individual landmarks throughout the county. Gaston County is a Certified Local Government.

PRESERVATION TAX CREDITS

The Robinson-Gardner Building in Gastonia had undergone renovation to utilize the tax credits for income-producing historic structures. The Loray Mill in Gastonia may become the largest tax credit project in the state. The Historic Preservation Office reviews and provides restoration technical services for all tax credit projects.

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLICATIONS

The Historic Preservation Office assisted Gaston County in publishing the findings of the architectural survey in The Architectural Heritage of Gaston County, North Carolina in 1982.

RESTORATION

The Historic Preservation Office has provided technical assistance for the restoration of the Hoffman Hotel and the Old Gaston County Courthouse in Dallas, St. Leo Hall at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, the Old Cherryville City Hall, the William T. Wilson House near Crowder's Creek, the Peter Hoyle House near Dallas, the Andrew Carpenter House near Alexis; and many other buildings throughout the county.