Life in Stanley is like many rural towns in Gaston County, North Carolina. It's a lovely town brimming with classic southern charm. It is small, covering just 2.7 square miles, and with a tiny population of less than 4,000 to match. But there is something rather unique about this friendly little suburb of Charlotte. An unusually high number of Stanley's citizens have lived there for multiple generations.

Sometimes, you grow up in a small town and eventually leave for other pastures. But if you grow up in Stanley, you likely won't leave, or if you do, chances are, you will come back. The roots in Stanley run deep, and the heartfelt love that residents feel for their hometown is very clear.

"Stanley is a very small town with super nice people… It's a very peaceful, loving, quiet place."

"I wouldn't trade my town for the world."

"I love living in a small town where everyone knows everyone. As a community, we always come together to help one another. We're like one big family."

Stanley's official motto is "A Friendly Place," and we're sure that moniker is well-earned. Some families here can trace their roots back to the 1700s when settlers began to search for gold. There was quite a gold rush here in the 1800s. Legend has it that the town is named after "Mr. Stanley," a prospector for whom Stanley Creek is also named. However, it was not gold that anchored the town's existence or augmented its growth. The railroads did that when they came to town in the 1800s. From that point on, Stanley has flourished.

Although much has changed over the years, Stanley remains an exceptional place to live. Here are just a few wonderful ways to spend some time around town.

If you are looking for recreational fun, the county has many parks. Play tennis at Aaron Moss Park. Spin your wheels at Andy Hovis Community Skate Park. Go for a swim at Bessemer City Park's amazing pool or a hike at Crowder Mountain State Park. You can even explore a heritage village at Dallas Park and learn about farm life in the bygone centuries.

If you like a challenge that is as much mental as physical, check out Xtreme Xcapes in Gastonia, an escape room adventure with unique puzzles you won't find anywhere else.

The Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens is not to be missed for horticulture fans. With over 380 acres of gorgeous vegetation, you'll find sensory delights here year-round and spectacular events like jazz concerts.

If you're a fan of culinary delights, there's no shortage of wonderful restaurants around. The WoodShed Steakhouse is a local favorite serving the best prime rib in North Carolina. The Riverside Fish House does seafood right, and Morgan's Dairy Bar & Calf-A is the perfect spot to grab some ice cream and hang out with friends.

Yet as friendly as Stanley is, it has a few unwelcome visitors, like pests. We have numerous pest issues here, and they often cause trouble. If you experience a pest problem, you've got a friend in town that you can always count on: At Ease Pest Solutions. We are the best pest control specialist in the area and are ready to lend a helping hand. Contact us today.