Mount Gilead was incorporated in 1899 as the textile industry built mills in the Piedmont section of the state above the fall line of rivers.

Since the late 20th century, many textile jobs moved offshore in a restructuring of the industry as it sought lower labor costs.

Like many small southern towns, Mount Gilead suffered economic and population decline following the loss of these textile jobs.

Mount Gilead was selected to participate in the N.C. Small Town Main Street Program (co-sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation) and received a S.T.E.P.

[citation needed] The Mount Gilead Museum is located in a restored Victorian house near the downtown area.

The house belonged to the McAulay family, who played an important role in Mount Gilead business, church, social, and civic life.

This historic tree, a loblolly pine, is one of a select few grown from seeds that orbited the moon aboard NASA's Artemis I mission in 2022.

Now thriving in the town’s Gathering Garden, Mount Gilead's Moon Tree is a living reminder of humanity’s curiosity, perseverance, and desire to reach for the stars.

[6] A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (J.D., 1962), Chambers served as editor-in-chief of the school's Law Review.

The Mount Gilead Community Concerts Association (MGCCA) is a non-profit organization presenting a program of diverse performing arts to the local area.

The choir is supported in part by the Mount Gilead Community Concerts Association (MGCCA), and more information can be found of the organization's website.

Community Radio WMTG-LP (88.1 FM) is a non-commercial, low-power station that serves the town by airing announcements of local interest.