The area around Merchants Millpond State Park has built a mighty reputation partly on artifacts aged objects, including a Clovis point 10,000 years old discovered in a field near the pond. The area’s fauna and flora, such as six alligators and two hundred year old Cypress trees, also help to make the lake created in 1811 a must see for 240,000 visitors annually.
Gatesville was home to North Carolina's former legendary Secretary of State, Thad Eure. Originally called Gates Courthouse, the name was changed in 1831 to Gatesville. The current Gates County courthouse was built in 1836.