Winston-Salem history

The history of the city of Winston-Salem is a unique tale of the convergence of two distinct settlements: the religious and cultural Salem and the industrial and commercial Winston. Their union in 1913 created a city with a rich heritage and a powerful economic base.

Foundation and Early Years

The story began in 1766, when members of the Moravian Church, a Protestant community from Central Europe, founded the town of Salem. The settlement was meticulously planned as a centre for crafts, trade, and the spiritual life of the community. Nearly a century later, in 1849, the town of Winston was established nearby, quickly becoming the administrative centre of Forsyth County and developing as an independent industrial hub.

Key Growth Factors

• Industry and Trade: The main engine of Winston's economy was the tobacco industry, particularly after the founding of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco company in 1875. This earned the city the nickname "Camel City" due to the popular cigarette brand. Alongside the tobacco sector, textile manufacturing also developed actively, notably thanks to the company Hanesbrands.
• Unification of the Cities: By the early 20th century, the towns of Winston and Salem had expanded so much that their borders practically vanished. In 1913, they were officially merged into one city — Winston-Salem, allowing the combination of Winston's industrial potential with Salem's rich cultural heritage.

Cultural and Economic Features

From the very beginning, the city combined two identities. Salem remained the guardian of Moravian traditions in architecture, music, and education. Today, the historic district of Old Salem is a living open-air museum where visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the 18th and 19th centuries. Winston, in turn, was the business and industrial heart. This dual heritage has allowed Winston-Salem to become not only a major industrial centre but also a city with a vibrant cultural life, often referred to as the "City of Arts and Innovation".

Key Dates in the History of Winston-Salem

• 1766 — The Moravian Brethren found the town of Salem, becoming the religious and artisan centre of the community.
• 1849 — The town of Winston is founded, named in honour of Revolutionary War hero Joseph Winston, quickly becoming the county's administrative centre.
• 1875 — Richard Joshua Reynolds founds the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which transforms the city into a major industrial hub.
• 1901 — Pleasant Henderson Hanes founds the Hanes Hosiery Mills knitting company, laying the foundation for the city's second economic pillar — the textile industry.
• 1913 — The cities of Winston and Salem officially merge, creating the single municipality of Winston-Salem.
• 1913 — R.J. Reynolds releases Camel cigarettes, which become one of the most famous tobacco brands in the world.
• 1929 — Construction is completed on the 22-storey Reynolds Building, which became the architectural prototype for the famous Empire State Building in New York.
• 1956 — Wake Forest University moves from its original location to the city of Winston-Salem, significantly strengthening its educational and cultural status.
• 1963 — The North Carolina School of the Arts (now UNCSA) is founded, the first state arts conservatory in the USA.
• 1985 — A merger occurs between R.J. Reynolds Industries and Nabisco Brands, resulting in the formation of RJR Nabisco, one of the world's largest consumer goods companies.

Major Milestones in the Development of Winston-Salem

The history of Winston-Salem is a journey from two independent settlements to a single prosperous city that has repeatedly transformed its economy and cultural landscape. Key events have defined its unique character as the "City of Arts and Innovation".

• Founding of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (1875): This event was a turning point for the city's economy. Richard Joshua Reynolds' company turned Winston into a global centre of the tobacco industry, providing thousands of jobs and attracting immense capital. The company's prosperity was directly reflected in urban development, including the construction of iconic buildings.
• Unification of Winston and Salem (1913): The official merger of the two cities was a logical step, combining the industrial power of Winston and the rich cultural heritage of Moravian Salem. This union created a unique identity and laid the foundation for the city's balanced development.
• Construction of the Reynolds Building (1929): The erection of this 22-storey skyscraper, the headquarters of R.J. Reynolds, became a symbol of Winston-Salem's economic power and prosperity. The building served as the architectural prototype for the famous Empire State Building in New York and remains an important landmark of the cityscape to this day.
• Relocation of Wake Forest University (1956): Moving the campus of the prestigious university to Winston-Salem was made possible thanks to the support of the Reynolds family foundation. This event radically changed the city's status, turning it into a major educational and research centre and giving impetus to the development of medicine and other knowledge-intensive industries.
• Founding of the North Carolina School of the Arts (1963): The creation of the first state arts conservatory in the USA (now UNCSA) strengthened Winston-Salem's reputation as a cultural capital. This attracted creative intellectuals to the city and fostered the development of art in all its forms.
• Creation of the Innovation Quarter (early 2000s): As traditional industries — tobacco and textiles — declined, the city began actively restructuring its economy. On the site of the former R.J. Reynolds factories, the Innovation Quarter was created. Today, it is a thriving district where companies in biotechnology, medicine, information technology, and clinical research are concentrated, symbolizing the city's successful transition to a knowledge economy.

The architectural appearance of Winston-Salem is a visual history of the convergence of two different cultures: the austere and functional Salem, founded by the Moravian Brethren, and the dynamic industrial Winston. This unique combination has formed a diverse urban landscape, ranging from colonial structures to Art Deco skyscrapers.

Moravian Heritage: Old Salem

The historic district of Old Salem is the heart of the city's early architecture. Founded in 1766, it represents a living open-air museum with structures built in the traditional Germanic style that the Moravian settlers brought with them. This architecture is characterized by simplicity, functionality, and durability. Buildings such as the Single Brothers' House and the Salem Tavern are distinguished by half-timbered constructions, the use of hand-moulded brick, and steep roofs. About 70% of the buildings in this district are authentic, making Old Salem a nationally significant monument of the colonial era.

The Era of Industrialisation and Art Deco

From the late 19th century, thanks to the rapid growth of the tobacco and textile industries, the centre of economic life shifted to Winston. This period left a legacy of magnificent examples of Victorian architecture and the American Craftsman style, especially in the historic West End district. However, the true jewel of this era became the Art Deco style. The crown of the city's industrial prosperity is the Reynolds Building, a 22-storey skyscraper built in 1929. This building, designed by the firm Shreve & Lamb, served as the architectural prototype for the famous Empire State Building in New York and received the "Building of the Year" award in 1929. Its façade is adorned with ornaments inspired by tobacco leaf motifs.

Modern Development and Adaptive Reuse

In the second half of the 20th and into the 21st century, Winston-Salem faced the decline of traditional manufacturing, which spurred a new wave of urban development. The city became an example of successful adaptive reuse of industrial heritage. A key project was the Innovation Quarter, created on the site of the former R.J. Reynolds tobacco factories. Today, it is a thriving district where historic brick buildings coexist with modern laboratories and offices, symbolizing the city's transition to an economy of knowledge and innovation. This approach preserves the historic character of the city while integrating it into a modern context.

Prominent Figures Associated with the City

Winston-Salem has been the home and starting point for many outstanding individuals who have left a significant mark on industry, the arts, sports, and public life. Their contributions have not only shaped the appearance of the city but also influenced culture far beyond its borders.

• Richard Joshua (R.J.) Reynolds (1850–1918)

  Role: Industrialist, founder of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.
  Significance: A key figure in the city's history. Moving to Winston in 1874, he founded a tobacco company that turned the city into one of the wealthiest in the USA. His innovations in production and marketing, especially the launch of Camel cigarettes in 1913, made his company a national leader, and his legacy still defines the economic and architectural landscape of Winston-Salem.

• Maya Angelou (1928–2014)

  Role: Poet, writer, civil rights activist.
  Significance: One of the most influential literary and public figures of the 20th century. From 1982, she was a professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University, considering Winston-Salem her home. Her presence and teaching activities brought immense cultural prestige to the city and inspired generations of students.

• John Wesley and Pleasant Henderson Hanes (The Hanes Brothers)

  Role: Industrialists, founders of the Hanes textile companies.
  Significance: The Hanes brothers, having sold their tobacco business to R.J. Reynolds, founded two separate textile companies in the early 1900s: P.H. Hanes Knitting Company and Hanes Hosiery Mills. In 1965, these companies merged into Hanes Corporation, becoming a global giant in the production of knitwear and hosiery and the second pillar of the city's economy after the tobacco industry.

• Chris Paul (born 1985)

  Role: Professional basketball player.
  Significance: A native of Winston-Salem, Chris Paul is one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. He studied at Wake Forest University, where he helped the team achieve record results. Paul has been repeatedly selected for the NBA All-Star Game and was named to the league's 75th Anniversary Team. He is actively involved in charity work in his hometown through his CP3 Foundation.

• Katharine Smith Reynolds (1880–1924)

  Role: Philanthropist, public figure.
  Significance: The wife of R.J. Reynolds, who took over the management of the fortune after his death and became one of the most progressive women of her time. She initiated the creation of the "Reynolda" estate, which included a model farm, a school, and a village for workers. Today, Reynolda House, Reynolda Gardens, and Reynolda Village are a major cultural and educational centre of the city, representing her direct legacy.

• Jennifer Ehle (born 1969)

  Role: Theatre and film actress.
  Significance: Born in Winston-Salem. A two-time Tony Award winner and BAFTA winner, Jennifer Ehle gained international recognition for her role as Elizabeth Bennet in the BBC television series "Pride and Prejudice" (1995), as well as for a successful career on Broadway and in Hollywood films.