Winston-Salem Facts
Fact 1: Located in downtown Winston-Salem is the historic West End district. In 1986, West End was designated a National Historic Record and has been called the best intact example of a turn of the century neighborhood.
Fact 2: Winston-Salem has the utmost when it comes to admirers of American Art. The Reynolda House Museum of American Art houses a collection from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The house is the former home of Katherine Smith and R.J. Reynolds, the founder of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.
Fact 3: Shop 'til you drop at the largest mall in the Carolina's! Hanes Mall, located in Winston-Salem, houses a variety of stores that accommodates the needs of every shopper!
Fact 4: It wasn't until 1913 that the two towns of Winston and Salem merged to form the twin city of Winston-Salem. After the union, Winston-Salem rapidly became a major industrial center.
Fact 5: Winston-Salem serves as headquarters of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and the world headquarters of its affiliate, R.J. Reynolds Industries.
Fact 6: It should come as no surprise that the cigarette brands Winston and Salem, which are manufactured in Winston-Salem by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, got their names from the two towns that bear the same names.
Fact 7: Got Beer? Sure! It might be a little difficult to believe that at one time the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company built a brewery on Highway 52 just on the outskirts of Winston-Salem. The brands, Schlitz and Old Milwaukee, were brewed and packaged at the 24 acre facility. Eventually, the plant was sold to Stroh Brewery of Detroit and the production of Stroh's Beer commenced.
Fact 8: Old Salem, founded in 1776 by Moravians, lies in the heart of Winston-Salem. The Moravians, a devout Germanic people, came to North Carolina from Pennsylvania in order to teach their religion to Indians. The original town of Salem – (Salem is Hebrew for Peace) has been restored to its original beauty. The Moravians were skilled laborers and built very well constructed buildings. Over 2/3 of their buildings constructed prior to the 1830's are still standing.
Fact 9: The Reynolds Building, a 22-story skyscraper, has served as the home office for the R.J. Reynolds home office for more than 50 years. This building served as the prototype for the Empire State Building in New York.
Fact 10: Winston-Salem is home to the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest University. With substantial support from the Reynolds family, the University claims a renowned medical school. The Bowman Gray School of Medicine was named for a former president of the tobacco company.
