The Loray Mill
In downtown Gastonia, NC stands an empty, run down, six story brick building. Some would consider it an eye sore, but to many Gaston County residents it represents memories of a time when the textile industry in the area was booming. In the early decades of the 20th century it was the site of the Loray Mill, one of the largest mills in the south. It was also the first mill in the country to be owned and operated by northerners. This soon became a trend and mills were moved to the south to take advantage of the cheap labor.