Cramerton, from mill town to community set in nature
Cramerton may not be the biggest town in Gaston County, but it’s packed with history, outdoor destinations and new growth. Stuart Cramer was a textile mogul who established two successful mills along the South Fork Catawba River. The mills later produced Cramerton Army Cloth, a khaki fabric used for soldier uniforms for decades. While the fabric isn’t used for uniforms anymore, it’s more than likely in museum displays across the country. The mills have since closed, but Carmerton has become a place to live surrounded by greenery and direct routes to nearby Gastonia and Charlotte. “Cramerton still has a small-town feel,” says Maureen O’Keefe, a licensed real estate agent and broker in charge of R2R Realty. “There are wonderful mill homes, which are small bungalows that used to be within walking distance of the textile mills. The little bungalows are now owned by people who love Cramerton’s walkability and charm. Many buyers are drawn to Cramer Mountain."
Cramerton’s downtown is small but mighty, with family-owned restaurants and a new social district designation. Areas like Goat Island Park and the Catawba River are popular for getting outdoors and enjoying nature. New homes and townhouses continue to be built, creating more space for new residents to enjoy Cramerton’s accessibility and natural features.
From townhouses to large golf community estates
Craftsmans, Colonial Revivals and New Traditionals built within the past 10 years usually range between $375,000 and $800,000, while large homes close to the golf course have sold for $800,000 to $1.75 million. “All of the homes are custom-built, so they’re not cookie-cutter,” O’Keefe says of the Cramer Mountain homes. “The golf course rolls up this wonderful mountain, and the highest point has views of the Charlotte skyline. Also, the community has amenities, like the swimming pool and kid’s play area. They have a sense of community.” Cramerton has townhouses and Bungalows that have sold for almost $180,000 to $375,000.
Throughout the area, homes are close together, but there are mature trees and enough yard space to create breathing room between neighbors. Streets closer to Center Street are lined with sidewalks, but most are sidewalk-free, giving homeowners uninterrupted lawns.
Historic holes at Cramer Mountain Club, exploring Goat Island Park
The area has multiple green spaces to explore. The C.B. Huss Recreation Center features an outdoor pool and athletic fields, though some visitors stop by to use the fishing pier along the river. Inside, members can use the gymnasium, game room or weight room. “You only need a membership to use the weight room or gym, but if you wanted to use the park, you can just go,” says Brandon Free, director of the Cramerton Parks and Recreation Department. Central Park is where people jog or walk their dogs along the gravel trail. The Cramer Mountain Club is a private 18-hole course, and some of the holes were part of the original course built by Stuart Cramer. The parking lot for Goat Island Park is on Greenwood Place, directly near the disc golf course. Visitors then follow the greenway across the South Fork Catawba River to reach the playground, but the path also leads to Center Street and its restaurants.
Driving into Charlotte or Gastonia on Route 74
“It’s about 30 minutes to downtown Charlotte, and it’s easy access to the airport and highways,” O’Keefe says. Commuters on their way to Charlotte drive 15 miles down U.S. Route 74 for about 30 minutes with light traffic, though traffic is a part of daily life in Charlotte and can make commutes extend over an hour. The Charlotte Douglas International Airport is closer, about 10 miles using Route 74. Gastonia, and all its shopping and dining, is also close to home, about 8 miles by Route 74 or backroads like South New Hope Road. For places of worship, there’s Life Church and First Baptist Church of Cramerton. Residents can see and hear trains going down the tracks that were once used by early Carmerton mills. The tracks do not interfere with roads, so drivers won’t have to pause and wait for trains to pass.
Competing in Goat Island Games every May
Cramerton Parks and Recreation Department hosts the two-day Goat Island Games every year. “The games are usually in May,” Free says. Residents can sign up for the 5K run or enter tournaments focused on fishing, disc golf or cornhole. Anyone who prefers to spectate rather than participate can enjoy live music and order treats from local vendors.
Socializing on Center Street and shopping in Franklin Square
Center Street is Cramerton’s dining district, where residents can order a burger and a drink at Mayworth’s Public House or grab a coffee and a fresh slice of cake from Floyd & Blackie's. Cramerton established the Center Street Social District in 2023, allowing residents to take alcohol purchased at participating restaurants to the outdoor seating at Centennial Center. Because Cramerton is full of homes and green spaces, residents drive about 5 miles to shop in the Franklin Square center, which features major retailers like Walmart and Michael’s. The center is surrounded by even more big-box stores, like Target and Sam’s Club. For groceries closer to home, there’s a Food Lion off Market Street and another location on South New Hope Road.
Athletes achieve top scores at Stuart Cramer High
Kids usually attend New Hope Elementary School, which gets a B-plus from Niche. Cramerton Middle School receives an A-minus and feeds into Stuart W. Cramer High School, which earns a B-plus. Stuart Cramer High’s baseball team won the county tournament in 2025, and the girls' basketball team was runner-up in the state finals.
