Winston-Salem, North Carolina

History

Salem

The origin of the town of Salem dates back to January 1753, when Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg, on behalf of the Moravian church, selected a settlement site which he called "Muddy Creek du Wachau" (Wachovia, named after the Austrian estate of Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf).

Related Topics:
Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg - Moravian church - Wachovia - Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The land, just short of 99,000 acres (400 km²), was subsequently purchased from John Carteret, 1st Earl Granville.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On November 17, 1753, the first settlers arrived at what would later become the town of Bethabara.

Related Topics:
November 17 - 1753

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This town, despite its rapid growth, was not designed to be the primary settlement on the tract.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Instead, the guidance of the Lord was sought for selection of a new town by drawing lots among sites which were suitable.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The town established on the chosen site was given the name of Salem (for "peace").

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Winston

In 1849 the town of Winston was founded, named after a local

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

hero of the Revolutionary War, Joseph Winston, who was

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

well-known in the town of Salem.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shortly thereafter both Winston and Salem were

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

incorporated into the newly formed

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Forsyth County,

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It thrived as an industrial town, producing tobacco

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

products, furniture and textiles.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1851 Winston was designated the county seat, and,

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

with plans to connect the cities of Winston and Salem,

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

the county courthouse square was placed just one mile

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

north of Salem's square.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Winston-Salem

In 1889, the United States Postal Service combined

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

the mail offices for the two towns, and the towns were

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

officially joined as "Winston-Salem" in 1913.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Reynolds family (see Richard Joshua Reynolds and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company) played a large role in the history and public life of Winston-Salem.

Related Topics:
Richard Joshua Reynolds - R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~