During my freshman year of college, East Lee Street/West Lee Street was changed to East Gate City Boulevard and West Gate City Boulevard. If you’re like me then you have always wondered why Greensboro is called “Gate City.” Seriously though, where is the gate?
I recently learned that Greensboro being called Gate City is more of a metaphorical aspect. The nickname started in 1891 when the city saw the arrival and departure of 60 trains each day. In 1891, Greensboro was busy because it was also the same year UNCG was founded. Greensboro became the center of transportation or the “gateway” to the West and the South. The city continued to be an important part of industry and commerce in Greensboro which has secured Greensboro as “the Gate City” for over 100 years.
So I am sorry for all of the tourists coming to Greensboro expecting to see a gate and realizing there is no magical gate to take pictures of. But if you want to take pictures of Gate City then Greensboro is what you’re looking for.