North Carolina is known for its art, culture, southern charm, picturesque mountains, and countless small towns and quaint neighborhoods. One such neighborhood is Lucia, a tiny unincorporated community in Gaston County. It's a residential neighborhood that is technically part of the town of Stanley. Including Stanley, the area has only about 3,500 residents.

As far as small places go, this one is a mere spec on the map, and yet, the history of the area is extensive, dating back to the early 1700s when people began to settle along a creek that would soon become part of North Carolina's brief but exciting Gold Rush. Stanley itself is named after a gold prospector. In the 1800s, there was more than one successful mine in town, and the area even supplied a great deal of ore to the U.S. Mint for making coins. Yes, it's a place that few people have heard of, yet there might be a little bit of Lucia in people's pockets throughout the country, even today.

Nowadays, people no longer flock here hoping to find a fortune in golden nuggets, but its residents are still lucky. Lucia is a charming, friendly, and family-oriented community. An incredible 66.7% of its residents are married, which is a much higher percentage than 95% of other neighborhoods in the U.S.

Is peaceful, quiet country life the true secret to a happy marriage? Could be. But Lucia is central to many entertainment and economic opportunities as well. If you were going to spend a day here, perhaps it would go something like this:

Start your morning with a hot country breakfast from the nearby Lowesville Café. It's a local favorite and rumored to serve up the best stack of pancakes in town.

Next, how about some shopping? You'll want to attend U-Neek Antiques in Gastonia if you love antiques. The shop is not so much a traditional store as it is a quirky, one-of-a-kind treasure-hunting safari. With quotes like, "This place is freaking awesome." you know you'll uncover some amazing finds.

Soak up a little local history at the Gaston County Museum. Here you'll discover more than 25,000 intriguing artifacts, great art exhibits, and an exciting roster of ongoing events for the whole family. Brevard Station is a fantastic museum delving deep into the region's transportation history.

You'll find no better spot than Spruce Goose Station when it's time for lunch. Not only does this café serve up phenomenal eats, but it is also a non-profit that supports and gives back to the community with its programs for developmentally disabled individuals.

Grab the kids for a hike at the Mountain Island Educational State Forest. It's not just a park; it's a living, outdoor classroom where you can learn more about the area's vibrant ecosystems.

Or are you looking for some chills with your thrills? Drop by Pharr Mansion and do some ghost-hunting. The locals say it's quite haunted (and just one of several intriguing ghostly locations within the state). 

Not everything that goes bump in the night is a ghost, however. In Lucia, it's just as likely to be a pest as anything else. The community has numerous pest problems, but it also has At Ease Pest Solutions to rely upon, the most trusted local pest control company this side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you have a pest issue, please contact us. We are happy to help.