The city of Bessemer is located in Gaston County and has a population of about 6,000 residents. The city, which was settled in 1756 and founded in 1893, takes pride in its motto “City with a Heart.” The city was named for Sir Henry Bessemer, who invented the Bessemer Process for smelting iron. Ironically, because of the Bessemer Process, the city’s outdated early iron smelting industry became obsolete. After that, the city’s economy was based upon corn and cotton and whiskey production. In 1871, the Atlanta and Charlotte Division of the Richmond and Danville Railroad Company built a railroad through the area.
Currently, one of the largest industries is Bessemer is FMC Lithium, Inc., which is the largest producers of lithium in the Americas, and the Advanced Drainage Systems also operates a facility in the city. Kiser’s Dairy Farm is also located in Bessemer. Some of the fun and exciting events that take place in Bessemer include the Down Home Festival, as well as those held by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bessemer City. The city also offers great recreational activities for people of all ages.
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