Mount Gilead, North Carolina Facts for Kids

Mount Gilead is a town in Montgomery County, in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,181 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Demographics
- 2020 census
History
Notable people from Mount Gilead
Arts
See also

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1900	395	—
1910	723	83.0%
1920	975	34.9%
1930	1,011	3.7%
1940	915	−9.5%
1950	1,201	31.3%
1960	1,229	2.3%
1970	1,286	4.6%
1980	1,423	10.7%
1990	1,336	−6.1%
2000	1,389	4.0%
2010	1,181	−15.0%
2020	1,171	−0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

Mount Gilead racial composition
Race	Number	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	570	48.68%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	506	43.21%
Native American	13	1.11%
Asian	25	2.13%
Other/Mixed	40	3.42%
Hispanic or Latino	17	1.45%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,171 people, 476 households, and 273 families residing in the town.

History

Ancient history

This region was occupied by the Pee Dee culture, part of the Southern Appalachian Mississippian culture, from about 980 to 1150 CE. They built the earthwork platform mound and other structures at Town Creek Indian Mound, which has been designated a National Historic Landmark since 1966. It is the only Native American site in the state to be designated as a national landmark. In the 21st century, the Pee Dee are based in South Carolina, where the state has recognized several bands as tribes.

European-American settlement

Mount Gilead was incorporated in 1899 as the textile industry built mills in the Piedmont section of the state above the fall line of rivers. They processed the commodity crop of cotton, which had been important to the South since before the Civil War. The textile mills provided jobs to white residents of the region, later also employing blacks and supporting relative prosperity in the region.

Since the late 20th century, many textile jobs moved offshore in a restructuring of the industry as it sought lower labor costs. Like many small southern towns, Mount Gilead suffered economic and population decline following the loss of these textile jobs.

Historic District and sites

The town has begun to emphasize the appeal of its historic resources. Its Historic District has been inventoried and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Mount Gilead was selected to participate in the N.C. Small Town Main Street Program (co-sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation) and received a S.T.E.P. (Small Town Economic Prosperity) grant of $220,000 to help revitalize the downtown area and create jobs, respectively.

The Mount Gilead Museum is located in a restored Victorian house near the downtown area. The house belonged to the McAulay family, who played an important role in Mount Gilead business, church, social, and civic life. The museum houses many documents, photographs, and historic artifacts that tell the story of Mount Gilead's past.

Downtown Mount Gilead is also a host for a Moon Tree at the Mount Gilead Community Garden. The Moon Tree was planted on June 3, 2024, by Mary Poplin and her daughter as part of a special community ceremony. This historic tree, a loblolly pine, is one of a select few grown from seeds that orbited the moon aboard NASA's Artemis I mission in 2022. Now thriving in the town’s Gathering Garden, Mount Gilead's Moon Tree is a living reminder of humanity’s curiosity, perseverance, and desire to reach for the stars.

Notable people from Mount Gilead

The Haywood plantation house where Oscar Haywood lived is in Mount Gilead. He is buried in Sharon Cemetery in the town.

Mount Gilead is the birthplace of civil rights attorney Julius L. Chambers (b. 1936). A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J.D., 1962), Chambers served as editor-in-chief of the school's Law Review. He next earned a master of law degree from New York's Columbia University in 1964.

Arts

The Piedmont Center of the Arts and The Ford Place Restaurant, Pub & Special Events Center were developed with funding from the North Carolina Rural Center. The arts facility houses a wood-turner who gives lessons, the office of the Mount Gilead Arts Guild, a retail co-op store, and a clock repair shop. The restaurant is based in an adapted Ford dealership. Customers see much of the town's history preserved on the walls and under glass on the tables.

Mount Gilead has a number of visual and performing artists who routinely show their work at the arts complex.

The Mount Gilead Community Concerts Association (MGCCA) is a non-profit organization presenting a program of diverse performing arts to the local area. Incorporated in 2001, the organization presents an annual Concert Series featuring visiting musicians. When possible, these artists present a program for local school students. MGCCA is governed by a volunteer board of directors and supported through the contributions of local individuals and companies.

The Mount Gilead Community Choir has produced annual concerts since its founding in 1995. This group of volunteer singers traditionally presents a Christmas concert on the first Sunday in December. The choir is supported in part by the Mount Gilead Community Concerts Association (MGCCA), and more information can be found of the organization's website.

Community Radio WMTG-LP (88.1 FM) is a non-commercial, low-power station that serves the town by airing announcements of local interest. The station programs a mix of oldies and adult contemporary music and broadcasts 24 hours a day. WMTG is a service of the Mount Gilead Community Concerts Association (MGCCA).

Mount Gilead, North Carolina facts for kids

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