Timeline and Primary Sources of Winston-Salem History

Winston-Salem Historical Timeline

1766

• Salem was founded by the Moravians.

1849

• The Moravians sold 51 acres north of Salem to the newly formed Forsyth County government to establish the county seat. Forsyth County was created from the southern half of Stokes County and named after Col. Benjamin Forsyth, a Stokes County resident and state legislator.

1850

• Population of Forsyth County reached 11,000, with 14% (1,540) being slaves and free Black individuals.

1851

• The town of Winston was created as the county seat, named after Revolutionary War leader Major Joseph Winston of Germanton.

1872

• Major T.J. Brown, S.M. Hobson, and Hamilton Scales established the first tobacco auction house in Winston.

• P.H. and J.W. Hanes organized P.H. Hanes and Company, becoming successful independent manufacturers of plug tobacco. They later sold to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in 1900, trading tobacco for textiles.

• On news of the Northwest North Carolina Railroad's construction, Hamilton Scales established the first tobacco factory, Major T.J. Brown opened the city’s first tobacco warehouse, and P.H. Hanes founded its first plug tobacco factory.

1873

• The Northwest North Carolina Railroad was completed, extending from Greensboro and opening up commerce to Winston. This attracted new entrepreneurs to the city.

• R.J. Reynolds moved to Winston-Salem from Virginia, initially producing plug tobacco before transitioning to cigarettes.

1879

• Wachovia Bank opened, providing a much-needed financial resource for the growing city.

1882

• A fire destroyed many of the frame commercial buildings on Liberty Street’s west side, north of Fourth Street. The O’Hanlon Building later replaced the corner structures.

1890

• Reynolds Tobacco expanded from a small, one-building operation with 12 workers to a larger enterprise, marking significant growth in the industry.

• Trade Street (Old Town) between 4th and 6th streets housed numerous tobacco factories, warehouses, and small businesses.

1897

• Winston became the third-largest tobacco manufacturing city in the U.S., behind St. Louis and Louisville.

1913

• Winston and Salem officially merged to form Winston-Salem. This year also saw the introduction of Camel Cigarettes, which became a major product for R.J. Reynolds.

• The Post Office was built, marking a significant federal presence in the city.
  
  

1917

• Winston-Salem led the world in the manufacture of flat plug tobacco.
  
  

1920

• Winston-Salem became the largest city in North Carolina, with a population of 48,395 according to the 1920 Census. The population continued to grow rapidly from 22,700 in 1910 to 75,800 by 1930.

1943 & 1947

• Significant labor strikes occurred at the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company’s Factory Complex 64, where workers, many of them African-American women, fought for better wages and working conditions. These strikes were pivotal in the labor history of Winston-Salem and led to improvements in job security, wages, and working conditions for tobacco workers.

1960

• Winston-Salem played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement with sit-ins at local lunch counters, where African-American students peacefully protested against segregation. These sit-ins were part of a larger national movement that eventually led to the desegregation of public spaces.

1970s-1980s

• The city experienced an economic downturn as traditional industries like tobacco and textiles declined. Many factories closed, leading to job losses and economic challenges for the community.

2000s

• Winston-Salem saw a resurgence with efforts to diversify its economy. The city invested in education, healthcare, and technology sectors, leading to new opportunities and growth. The revitalization of downtown, including the renovation of historic buildings and the development of the Innovation Quarter, marked a significant upswing for the city.