History & About Lake Gaston
Welcome to Lake Gaston, truly one of the most beautiful lakes in the country. Offering some of the best lake fishing, boating and vacationing in the area, Lake Gaston’s unique characteristics are too numerous to mention.
400 Miles
of picturesque shoreline
34 Miles long
1.5 miles wide
Boating
Regulated depth
The water is regulated and varies by only 1 foot depth from the normal level at anytime, making It ideal for both fishing and boating
Fishing
Stocked Lake
Stocked with an immense amount of game fish including: striped bass or rockfish, large mouth bass, crappie, sunfish and several varieties of catfish.
Restaurants
shopping and cultural events
Distinctive restaurants, shopping and cultural events abound in the cities surrounding the lake.
Lake Gaston Facts
Some interesting facts you will want to know about the Lake include:
- It is 34 miles long and 1.5 miles wide
- It has over 400 miles of picturesque shoreline
- The water is regulated and varies by only 1 foot depth from the normal level at anytime, making It ideal for both fishing and boating
- It is conveniently located between Richmond, VA and Raleigh, NC in Warren County
- A short drive from Mecklenburg, Brunswick, Halifax and Northampton Counties
- The lake is stocked with an immense amount of game fish including: striped bass or rockfish, large mouth bass, crappie, sunfish and several varieties of catfish.
- Hunting for many species of game is prevalent in many areas near the lake.
- Community activities are held throughout the year by area organizations.
- Distinctive restaurants, shopping and cultural events abound in the cities surrounding the lake
Lake Gaston History
Warren County
In Warrenton, education was the primary focus, followed by fine architecture, music, dancing, art, and horse racing. In 1786, the Warren Academy was founded by the Macon brothers, one of whom Nathaniel, would become one of the greatest speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 1779 Warren County was carved out of Granville and Franklin County, and named after Dr. Joseph Warren who had been killed by the British at Bunker Hill. In Warrenton, education was the primary focus, followed by fine architecture, music, dancing, art, and horse racing. In 1786, the Warren Academy was founded by the Macon brothers, one of whom Nathaniel, would become one of the greatest speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives. Theater began with the appointment of Marcus George, actor and scholar, as principal of the Academy. He taught Greek, Latin and education. There was a dancing master, John Liddell. Beautiful houses were built as centerpieces to the large plantations, and in time, town houses became the jewels that were erected.
By 1860, Warren County would become the richest in North Carolina. Warrenton would even own its own railroad. Warrenton became an axis for two important mail routes. The cotton gin created more prosperity. By 1800, the town’s population was 238. By the 1850 Federal Census, there were approximately 700 people. By 1922, the number was 813 and currently the population stands at about 900, remaining remarkably stable during more than 200 years. It is proof of how wonderful it is to live in Warrenton. With its feet planted firmly in the eighteenth century, its magnificent Jacob Holt town houses of the nineteenth century built before the Civil War, its beautiful gardens and incredible trees, brick sidewalks, weekly newspaper, wonderful shops, restoration projects, convenient shopping and some of the politest, nicest people on earth, Warrenton is civilized living still attainable in the 21st century.
In the early 1900’s, Mr. Charles Eaton saw a need for a ferry crossing along the North Carolina and Virginia border. He built a ferry that would connect southern Virginia to the south and Warren County to the north. The ferry was a small barge that crossed the Roanoke River powered early on by a pack of mules with rope pulleys. Later the ferry was motorized, and could carry up to 2 vehicles. The ferry operated up until the Lake Gaston project began, and the Roanoke River was flooded. Our historical inspiration, and our community name is in honor of Mr. Charles Eaton and his crossing along the Roanoke River.
