City of Bessemer City
About Us
Founded in 1893 as a planned mill town along the railroad, Bessemer City is a close-knit community in western Gaston County with a big heart and room to grow.
Bessemer City sits in western Gaston County, just west of Charlotte. The city was chartered in 1893 and grew up around its textile mills and the railroad that still runs through downtown.
Today Bessemer City is known as the City with a Heart. Community events, places of faith, local schools and neighbors who look out for one another are at the center of life here, and new businesses and families keep finding their place in Bessemer City.
Explore the city’s story below, from its founding and mill heritage to the growth plans shaping its future.
Interested in downtown’s history? Learn about the Bessemer City Downtown Historic District and its listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
In this section
Then and Now
From the Ormand land grant in 1754 to today, a timeline of how Bessemer City grew.
Bessemer City History
Mining, cotton mills and founding families: the story behind Bessemer City.
Ready. Set. Grow!
Bessemer City is ready for growth. Learn about the city's economic development initiative.
Queen City Hometown- Bessemer City
Queen City News featured Bessemer City in its Hometown series in October 2023.