Located at 604 N. York Street, GastoniaThe Aunt Charlotte McClee Community Garden, formerly the Highland Community Garden is a partnership between the City of Gastonia, Keep Gastonia Beautiful and the Highland Neighborhood. If you’d like to know how to rent a plot, or volunteer to tend to our garden by pulling weeds, helping with art ideas, or planting plants, please let us know.
Beyond gardening, it is Keep Gastonia Beautiful’s hope that this corner in the Highland Community will be a continuation of the art initiative in the community, provide a space to gather for neighbors and area churches, an outdoor space to educate children from nearby schools and a place that will make the neighborhood proud.
For more information about the Community Garden please contact Julie Heath at 704-869-1047 or email julie.heath@gastonianc.gov
What us grow...
Multiple grants have enabled transformational improvements to the Aunt Charlotte McClee Community Garden & Pocket Park—creating a safer, more accessible, and more engaging outdoor space for older adults in the Highland neighborhood.
Huge thanks to: AARP, The Carrie E. and Lena V. Glenn Foundation, Gaston Community Foundation, Gaston Arts Council
WORK IN PROGRESS...Coming Winter 2025/Spring 2026
Who is Aunt Charlotte McClee?
“Aunt” Charlotte McClee was born a Slave in South Carolina in 1846 and died in 1957, at the age of 111. She came to Gastonia in 1870 “before Gastonia was here,” as Gastonia wasn’t founded until 1877, and became the first midwife. She delivered hundreds of babies, both black and white and saved many women's lives. Making her way to where Main Avenue now is, it was a much different vision back then when it was “only woods and a few log cabins.” In her yard, she had herbal plants she’d dry and use to heal sick people, for child birth, to make tonics, medicines and salves for pain relief. She loved flowers and loved to see wild flowers. "If I could just get out to see the flowers!" she exclaimed. "I would just like to ride along the road and see the wildflowers once more."
What a better way to acknowledge this historical woman than through a living memorial of flowers, herbs and love than in a community garden. Now, each year as seeds are planted, as children come to learn the art of gardening, as the folks of the Highland Community reap the goodness of the soil, they will feel the presence of "Aunt" Charlotte in this garden. She truly left a rich and lasting legacy in budding Gastonia.
COME GROW WITH US!
2026 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS...COMING SOON!
1. Submit an Application for a plot in the Aunt Charlotte McClee Community Garden to Keep Gastonia Beautiful.
2. Keep Gastonia Beautiful Selects Garden Members for the growing season (April-November).
Garden applications are more likely to be accepted for gardeners who:
a. Live in or have ties to the Highland Community
b. Volunteer at off-season Garden Events
c. Pay their yearly membership dues on time
Want to learn more about our awesome recycled raised beds?
Contact Information
Garland Municipal Business Center
150 S. York Street, Gastonia, NC 28052
(PO Box 1748, Gastonia, NC 28053-1748)
704-869-1047 (business)
704-866-6067 (fax)
