An End to The Strike
Soon after the death of Ella May Wiggins the strike subsided. On September 23, the fifteen families who still resided in the NTWU’s tent village were told the strike was over. They were asked to leave the tent village and find jobs elsewhere. Mattie Hughes, one of the village residents spoke out about her feelings after the strike ended, saying, “Oh, God! I wish I had my job back.” Seeing the situation she was in after the strike, without a job or home and a family to take care of, she began to regret it altogether. She would have preferred her job at Loray Mill even with the intolerable working conditions (Salmond 135). This outlook was shared by many other familes who were left to rebuild their lives after the strike. The NTWU quickly packed up their tent village and left the area leaving families with nothing at all. The Loray Mill strike became one of the most well known strikes in the labor history.
Although it was unsuccessful in obtaining its goal of better working conditions, it did play a major role in the development of the labor movement. The strike stirred up controversy, driving the national labor movement forward. The Loray Mill strike paved the way for the development of the United Textile Workers, which fought to protect the interests of mill workers.
Although it was unsuccessful in obtaining its goal of better working conditions, it did play a major role in the development of the labor movement. The strike stirred up controversy, driving the national labor movement forward. The Loray Mill strike paved the way for the development of the United Textile Workers, which fought to protect the interests of mill workers.
The Mill Today
In 1930 the Loray Mill owners filed for bankruptcy and in 1935 it was bought by Firestone Tires. The Firestone Tire Mill ran until it relocated to Kings Mountain, NC in 1993. Since then the 600,000 square foot mill has stood empty. There is much controversy surrounding recent plans to restore the mill. Some think the old mill holds bad memories that should be forgotten while others believe the building to be a historic and memorable addition to the city of Gastonia. The plans for the Loray Mill renovation include constructing apartments with an indoor swimming pool, club house, and other amenities. There will also be retail stores for rent as well as restaurant space. Two of the stories are said to eventually house a new charter school. (DePriest)
Gaston County resident, Jimmy Gray, said in an interview “There wouldn’t be a Gastonia if it wasn’t for the Loray Mill. That’s the thing that really put us on the map.” (Salmond 190) The tragic events of the Loray Strike will forever be remembered as part of Gastonia’s rich history.
Gaston County resident, Jimmy Gray, said in an interview “There wouldn’t be a Gastonia if it wasn’t for the Loray Mill. That’s the thing that really put us on the map.” (Salmond 190) The tragic events of the Loray Strike will forever be remembered as part of Gastonia’s rich history.