National Register Listing

Winston-Salem Tobacco Historic District

Bounded by Chestnut St. on the W., 5th and 7th Sts. on the N., Linden St. on the E., and 4th and Fogle Sts. on the S., Winston-Salem, NC
Local significance of the district:
Industry; Commerce; Black; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2009.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

Audiobooks about the history of North Carolina.
In the 1960s, North Carolina was a center of the civil rights movement, with Greensboro being the site of the first sit-in protests in the country.
North Carolina random facts
Forsyth County, located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. Before European settlement, the area was home to Native American tribes such as the Cheraw and Saura. However, in the 18th century, European settlers began to arrive, primarily of German, Scotch-Irish, and English descent.

The county was officially established in 1849 and named after Colonel Benjamin Forsyth, a War of 1812 hero. During the 19th century, Forsyth County played a significant role in the tobacco industry. The area's fertile soil and favorable climate made it ideal for growing tobacco, and numerous tobacco factories were established in Winston-Salem, the county's largest city.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Forsyth County was marred by racial tensions and violence. African Americans faced systematic discrimination and were victims of several instances of racial violence, including the notorious 1898 race riot in nearby Wilmington. This violent history had lasting effects on the county's racial dynamics for many years.

From the mid-20th century onwards, Forsyth County experienced significant growth and development. Winston-Salem became an important center for industry, particularly in the fields of tobacco, textiles, and furniture manufacturing. The city also gained recognition for its arts and culture, becoming home to prestigious institutions such as the North Carolina School of the Arts and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art.

Today, Forsyth County continues to thrive as a vibrant community with a diverse population and a strong economy. While the county has faced its share of challenges, it has also demonstrated resilience and progress in embracing its rich cultural heritage and shaping a bright future for its residents.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Forsyth County, North Carolina.

  • 1849 - Forsyth County was established on January 15th.
  • 1851 - The first courthouse was built in the county seat of Winston.
  • 1877 - Salem Female Academy, which later became Salem College, was established as the first institution of higher education for women in the state.
  • 1913 - City of Winston merged with Salem to form Winston-Salem.
  • 1917 - R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company introduced the iconic Camel cigarette.
  • 1950s - The city experienced significant growth and industrial development.
  • 1980 - Winston-Salem surpassed Greensboro as the largest city in North Carolina.
  • 1989 - The city celebrated its bicentennial.
  • 2000 - The population of Forsyth County exceeded 300,000.
  • 2013 - Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center became the largest employer in the county.