Just a couple miles outside the town of High Shoals, you’ll find the unincorporated community of Hardins. Although the neighborhood may be small, the people are proud. The independent district falls within Gaston County, an area founded in 1846. Of course, there were settlers there who capitalized on the location near the Catawba and South Fork Rivers, helping farmers who lived there through the 18th century. Those rivers and the beautiful, rolling terrain are still some of the things that are so valued in Hardins today.

Rankin Lake Park is a great spot to visit if you like to spend your time outside. Not only are there good picnicking spaces, but you can also go fishing along the bank of the lake, walk the 1.6-mile trail around the water, play horseshoe or disc golf, or go out on a kayak, canoe, pedal boat, or jon boat.

A short drive down the 321 brings you to the Gaston County Museum. Through a series of rotating and permanent exhibits, you can learn about the art and history of Gaston County through impressive visuals and interactive programs. Check out the sculpture garden, carriage house, mill, depot, and other educational offerings.

If you’re more of a natural history buff, you might prefer the Schiele Museum. Explore exhibits on dinosaurs, North Carolina’s natural history, North American habitats, and more. The museum isn’t only known for its displays but the research conducted there. The Schiele’s Research and Collections Department helps scientists make discoveries in archaeology, mycology, and entomology.

If you’re looking to hone your skills on the gun range, you can take a private or group class with the Hardin Training Group. Their NRA-certified instructors teach guests how to use a pistol or basic rifle and has personal protection courses. You can also take a concealed carry handgun class, learn about basic firearm repair or armoring, or take a tactical weapons course with carbines or shotguns.

There are plenty of good places to eat in the area too. Riverside Fish House down the road in Dallas serves up a variety of fish, like stuffed flounder, Alaskan white fish, perch fillet, and more. You can even choose a special platter that includes a mix of fish and several southern sides. 

Nearby there, if you’d prefer comfort food, is The Country Kitchen. Go there for a down-home breakfast omelet, or stop by for a sandwich or corn dog and burger at lunch. For supper, choose from the Country Dinner Plate list, where you can pick from things like country-style steak and barbecue or pork chop plates. 

When you’re from a place as tight-knit as Hardins, you want companies that care about the community just as much as you do. That’s why locally-owned businesses like At Ease Pest Solutions are so important. We’re invested in this community, with branches in Charlotte, High Point, Rock Hill, and Troutman, staffed with technicians who are devoted to clearing up the pest problem plaguing you. Contact us today for a specific issue or for information about one of our monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly service plans.