Bessemer City, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bessemer City, North Carolina
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Directional signs of NC 274, at the end of NC 161, in Bessemer City
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| Nickname(s):
City with a Heart
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Location of Bessemer City, North Carolina
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  North Carolina |
| County | Gaston |
| Incorporated | March 6, 1893 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.26 sq mi (13.63 km2) |
| • Land | 5.22 sq mi (13.53 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) |
| Elevation | 902 ft (275 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,428 |
| • Density | 1,038.85/sq mi (401.08/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28016
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| Area code(s) | 704 |
| FIPS code | 37-05220 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403865 |
Bessemer City is a small city located in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It's like a suburb, meaning it's a smaller town near a bigger city. In 2020, about 5,428 people lived there. The city is about 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Gastonia and 25 miles (40 km) west of Charlotte. People first settled here in 1756, and the city was officially started in 1893.
Contents
Where is Bessemer City?
Bessemer City covers an area of about 5.26 square miles (13.63 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. The city hall is about 902 feet (275 meters) above sea level. This means it's quite a bit higher than sea level!
A Look at Bessemer City's Past
How Bessemer City Got Its Name
Bessemer City is named after Sir Henry Bessemer. He invented a special way to make iron called the Bessemer process. This process changed how iron was made. Even though the city is named after him, his invention actually made the old iron-making methods used in the area less useful.
Early Settlements and Iron Making
The first European settlers came to the Bessemer City area around 1754. King George II of Great Britain gave a large piece of land to James Ormand. He started a company to dig for iron ore. By 1786, a furnace was built to process the iron. This was called the Washington Furnace. The "Old Ormand Furnace" is one of the oldest furnaces still standing in the country. It made iron tools and other items for people nearby. This furnace was used until the mid-1800s. Today, the Ormand family still owns the "Old Furnace" site. They hold one of America's oldest family reunions there every year since 1897.
Growing the Town
In the late 1840s, farmers in the area grew a lot of corn and cotton. Making Whiskey was also a big business. Gaston County had more places making whiskey than any other county in North Carolina!
In 1871, a railroad was built through Gaston County. This was a big deal for the area. A man named John Wooten built a general store and a train station. He called it "Wooten's Station." This was where Bessemer City is today.
In 1891, John Askew Smith bought a lot of land and wanted to create a town. In 1893, Bessemer City officially became a chartered town. Smith hired an engineer to plan out the town's streets. He also built some of the first fancy homes there.
Textile Mills and Industry
By 1900, Bessemer City had grown to about 500 to 600 people. Many textile mills opened in the city. These mills made cloth and other products. They helped Bessemer City become an important industrial town.
Ella Mae Wiggins: A Voice for Workers
In 1929, a brave woman named Ella Mae Wiggins lived near Bessemer City. She was a textile mill worker and a songwriter. She worked long hours for little pay. She became a strong voice for workers' rights and joined a union. She even traveled to Washington, D.C. to share her story about working conditions. She believed that all workers, no matter their race, should join together. Sadly, she was killed while going to a union meeting. Her songs, like "A Mill Mother’s Lament," are still remembered today. She is buried in the Bessemer City Cemetery.
Fighting for Fairness
In 1985, an important court case about fairness happened in Bessemer City. A woman named Phyllis Anderson applied for a job but was not chosen. She believed it was because she was a woman. The Supreme Court looked at her case. They found that there was unfair treatment in the hiring decision. This case helped make sure that people are hired based on their skills, not their gender.
Historic Places
Two places in Bessemer City are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Bessemer City Downtown Historic District and Central School. This means they are important historical sites.
Who Lives in Bessemer City?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 68 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,100 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,529 | 39.0% | |
| 1920 | 2,176 | 42.3% | |
| 1930 | 3,739 | 71.8% | |
| 1940 | 3,567 | −4.6% | |
| 1950 | 3,961 | 11.0% | |
| 1960 | 4,017 | 1.4% | |
| 1970 | 4,991 | 24.2% | |
| 1980 | 4,787 | −4.1% | |
| 1990 | 4,698 | −1.9% | |
| 2000 | 5,119 | 9.0% | |
| 2010 | 5,340 | 4.3% | |
| 2020 | 5,428 | 1.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2020
In 2020, there were 5,428 people living in Bessemer City. These people lived in about 1,994 homes.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 3,915 | 72.13% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 855 | 15.75% |
| Native American | 29 | 0.53% |
| Asian | 30 | 0.55% |
| Other/Mixed | 249 | 4.59% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 350 | 6.45% |
Businesses and Jobs
One of the biggest businesses in Bessemer City is FMC Lithium, Inc.. They operate a mine and are one of the world's largest producers of lithium. Lithium is a very important material used in many things, like batteries for your phones and electric cars, medicines, and even ceramics.
Another company, Advanced Drainage Systems, makes large plastic pipes. They have a big facility in Bessemer City and employ many people. Other companies like Hunter Douglas and Dole also have operations here. There are also still some farms, like Kiser's Dairy Farm, which now raises Angus beef cattle.
Schools in Bessemer City
The schools in Bessemer City are part of the Gaston County Schools system. They include:
- Bessemer City Primary School (Kindergarten to 2nd grade)
- Bessemer City Central Elementary School (3rd to 5th grade)
- Bessemer City Middle School (6th to 8th grade)
- Bessemer City High School (9th to 12th grade)
The Bessemer City Branch of the Gaston County Public Library also serves the community, offering books and resources for everyone.
Famous People from Bessemer City
Some notable people have connections to Bessemer City:
- Phil Crosby: A retired professional football player who played for the Buffalo Bills.
- James Ijames: A playwright who won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Fat Ham.
- Kevin Millwood: A professional baseball player.
- Jimmy Wayne: A country singer and songwriter who graduated from Bessemer City High School.
- Ella May Wiggins: A brave worker and songwriter who lived in the Stumptown area near Bessemer City.
Images for kids
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Directional signs of NC 274, at the end of NC 161, in Bessemer City
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Location of Bessemer City, North Carolina
See also
In Spanish: Bessemer City (Carolina del Norte) para niños
