Goldsboro history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Goldsboro is inextricably linked to the development of transport routes in North Carolina. The city was officially incorporated in 1847. It received its name in honour of Major Matthew T. Goldsborough, an engineer who played a key role in the construction of the local railway line. In fact, the city was designed and built specifically to service this new transport artery.

Key Factors of Formation

The emergence of Goldsboro was a direct consequence of the region's industrialisation. Several main reasons contributed to its rapid growth:

• The Railway Boom: The city emerged along the route of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, which was the longest in the world at the time of its completion (about 260 km). This ensured a reliable connection with port cities.
• Relocation of the Administrative Centre: Previously, the centre of Wayne County was the town of Waynesboro, located on the banks of the Neuse River. However, when the residents of Waynesboro refused to have the railway pass through their town, economic and political life gradually shifted to the new railway hub — Goldsboro.
• Geographical Location: Its location in the centre of the eastern part of the state made the city a convenient point for the collection and distribution of goods.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades of its existence, Goldsboro developed as a classic trading and transport hub. The economy was based on agriculture, and the railway allowed local farmers to efficiently export cotton and other crops. Hospitality infrastructure quickly formed around the station: the first hotels and inns opened to serve travellers and merchants, laying the foundation for the settlement's transformation into a thriving city.

Major Historical Milestones

The history of Goldsboro is rich in events that transformed it from a small railway station into an important cultural and economic centre of the region.

• 1840: Completion of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad; its intersection with other tracks determined the location of the future city.
• 1847: Goldsboro is officially incorporated as a city and becomes the administrative centre of Wayne County.
• 1862: The Battle of Goldsboro Bridge takes place in the vicinity — a significant event of the Civil War period.
• 1865: The city becomes an important strategic point in the final months of the war.
• 1869: Goldsboro receives an official city charter, solidifying its status.
• 1920s: A period of active architectural development, forming the modern appearance of the historic centre.
• 1942: Opening of Seymour Johnson Field, which played a key role in pilot training.
• 1956: The airbase resumes operations on a permanent basis, becoming an important economic engine for the city.
• 1961: A well-known historical incident involving the emergency landing of a B-52 bomber occurs near the city.
• 1979: The city's historic district is included in the National Register of Historic Places.
• 1999: Hurricane Floyd causes serious damage to the region, leading to a massive modernisation of urban infrastructure.
• 2016: Completion of the Streetscape project, within which the city's central streets were completely renovated and landscaped.

Development Stages and Their Significance

The evolution of Goldsboro is a journey from a transport hub to a modern cultural centre of Eastern North Carolina. The key stages of the city's development defined its current economic appearance and architectural style.

• Formation of the Railway Hub (Mid-19th Century)

  Initially, the city emerged as a point of intersection for railways. This determined its logistical destiny: Goldsboro became the main distribution centre of the region, connecting northern states with the port of Wilmington. The city's economic foundation was laid precisely thanks to transit trade and train servicing.

• Industrialisation and the "Tobacco Boom" (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)

  During this period, the city experienced a powerful economic upswing thanks to the processing and sale of cotton and tobacco. The accumulated capital allowed for the construction of the historic centre with brick buildings, which today form the basis of the city's tourist appeal. It was then that the architectural ensemble, now protected as a national heritage, was formed.

• Opening of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (1942 and 1956)

  The creation, and subsequent reopening, of the airbase radically changed the demographics and economy of the city. The base became the largest employer and attracted thousands of new residents from across the country. This stimulated the development of the service sector and housing construction, making the city more cosmopolitan compared to neighbouring agrarian settlements.

• Recovery after Hurricane Floyd (1999–2000s)

  The devastating flood became a turning point for urban planning policy. The city did not just restore infrastructure but also revised development plans, creating more sustainable drainage and protection systems. This crisis united the community and provided an impetus for the modernisation of outdated utilities.

• Massive Revitalisation of the Centre (TIGER Grant, 2013–2016)

  Receiving a federal grant allowed for the implementation of the Streetscape project. Central streets were completely rebuilt: pavements were widened, and green zones and art objects were added. This turned the business centre into a cultural space convenient for pedestrians and tourists, stimulating the opening of new restaurants, boutiques, and galleries in historic buildings.

Urban Structure and the Influence of the Railway

The architectural appearance of Goldsboro was shaped by its origins as a railway hub. The urban layout represents a clear grid of streets radiating from the railway tracks, which were historically the main artery of city life. The main development of the historic centre dates back to the economic boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when revenues from the cotton and tobacco trade allowed for the construction of substantial brick buildings.

Architectural Styles and Historical Eras

In Goldsboro, one can trace the evolution of American provincial architecture, where each style corresponds to a specific stage of the city's development:

• Italianate Style — Late 19th Century

  Characteristic of the commercial development of the city centre (Downtown). Buildings of this period are distinguished by narrow high windows (often arched), decorative cornices, and the use of red brick. This style dominated during the period of the South's recovery after the Civil War.

• Neoclassical Revival — Early 20th Century

  With the growth of Goldsboro's administrative status, monumental public buildings appeared in the city. This style, with its columns, symmetry, and antique motifs, was intended to demonstrate the stability and grandeur of civic institutions.

• Queen Anne and Colonial Revival — Turn of the 19th-20th Centuries

  In the residential quarters surrounding the business centre, mansions of the local elite have been preserved. They are characterised by complex roof shapes, the presence of turrets, spacious verandas, and an abundance of wooden decor, reflecting the tastes of the Victorian era.

Iconic Buildings Shaping the City's Look

Several key objects serve as architectural landmarks of Goldsboro:

• Wayne County Courthouse (1914): A striking example of Neoclassicism. Its massive façade and majestic columns make it the visual centre of the administrative district.
• Union Station (1909): A unique building combining elements of the Romanesque style and the Spanish Mission style. The station symbolises the "golden age" of railways and is one of the most recognisable historical objects in the city.
• Paramount Theatre: A building that has become a symbol of cultural revival. Originally built in the late 19th century, it survived reconstructions and fires, but its restored façade continues to play an important role in the architectural ensemble of the main street.
• Solomon Weil House: One of the best-preserved historic mansions, demonstrating the transition from Victorian eclecticism to stricter classical forms.

Notable Figures

The fates of many famous people who left their mark on politics, art, journalism, and sports are connected with Goldsboro. For some, the city was their birthplace; for others, it was the launching pad for their professional careers.

• Kenneth Claiborne Royall
  Statesman and Military Figure (1894–1971)
  A native of Goldsboro who reached the heights of American politics. Royall went down in history as the last person to hold the post of US Secretary of War and as the first Secretary of the Army (1947–1949) in the administration of President Harry Truman.
• Gertrude Weil
  Suffragist and Social Reformer (1879–1971)
  A representative of one of the city's most influential families. Gertrude dedicated her life to fighting for women's voting rights in North Carolina and was also actively involved in civil rights and labour law issues. Her home in central Goldsboro is a historical landmark.
• Andy Griffith
  Actor, Producer, and Singer (1926–2012)
  A legend of American television has a close connection to the city. Before achieving worldwide fame, Griffith lived in Goldsboro and worked as a music and drama teacher at the local school (Goldsboro High School), where he began to develop his stage talents.
• Carl Kasell
  Radio Journalist and Presenter (1934–2018)
  The famous voice of National Public Radio (NPR). Kasell was born in Goldsboro and began his career at a local radio station while still a schoolboy. He became widely known as a news anchor and the official judge of the popular quiz show "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!".
• Anne Jeffreys
  Theatre and Film Actress (1923–2017)
  A Goldsboro native who became a star of Hollywood and Broadway. She shone in films of the 1940s and musicals, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in the television series "The Delphi Bureau".
• Manny Lawson
  Professional Athlete (born 1984)
  A well-known American football player who played in the NFL as a linebacker. Lawson, a graduate of the local Eastern Wayne High School, played for teams such as the San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Buffalo Bills.