Ranlo is just one of many small towns in the county of Gaston. It lies just north of Gastonia, just 20 minutes from the bustling city of Charlotte, and has just 3,600 residents. And as far as places to live in North Carolina are concerned, it ranks just average. You might be inclined to assume that Ranlo is just another typical suburb. But if you did, you'd be wrong. "Just" is a woefully inadequate word to describe this charming, picturesque town. It has a special vibe and a rich history that is literally quite a yarn.

Ranlo is primarily a quiet, residential bedroom community nowadays, meaning that it provides essential housing, but most of its people commute to larger, nearby cities for work. A century ago, however, it was one of the region's most successful cotton textile manufacturing hubs. The town's name, Ran-lo, is a mish-mashed homage to two of the city's legendary industrial mill icons, John Calvin Rankin and William Thomas Love. (It's no coincidence that Rankin and Love brand yarns are still among the most popular today.) Indeed, the historic cotton mills of Ranlo were epic and innovative, and they spun an enduring foundation of economic stability for many generations to come.

Of course, you don't have to be a crafter to enjoy what Ranlo offers in modern times. The area has many attractions, including some intriguing and unusual ones.

A great place to start is the Millican Pictorial History Museum. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the region's textile mill history as told by a series of rare old photographs.

Another spot not to be missed is George Poston Park, a spectacular 344-acre recreational mecca that offers fun activities for the whole family. If you are a cyclist, skateboarder, or mountain biker, there's simply no better place to spin your wheels. The park also has a distinctive innovation all its own: It features North Carolina's first asphalt pump track.

If you like to spin a good ghost story, another place you'll want to explore is Spencer Mountain, a real ghost town on the outskirts of Ranlo that is famously haunted. Abandoned homes dot the eerie landscape, and there was once an old mansion there where an annual Halloween haunted house attraction was held. There were so many sinister incidents occurring during that event, scratches, touching, and full-blown spectral appearances, that the fire department decided it was best to tear the mansion down. But many say the old ghosts still linger.

If the only thing you want to scare up is an appetite, there's plenty of that, too. Head to Will's Doggn' It Deli and Dogs for some to-die-for sandwiches. Drop by the Pickle Bistro & Bar for outrageous smoked wings and pickled peanuts in neighboring Dallas. Or hit up Bad Daddy's Burger Bar in Gastonia, where the Bad Ass Margarita is a legend, and patrons describe the onion rings as magical.

Ranlo also has something not-so-magical, however, and that's pest problems. Its beautiful green spaces attract some of the state's most problematic creatures, many of which cause problems for homeowners. If a critter is bugging you, we've got just the thing, At Ease Pest Solutions. We're your friendly, local pest control experts and ready to help. Please contact us for more information about our services.