Winston-Salem, North Carolina
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Winston-Salem, North Carolina | |||
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| Nickname: "Twin City" | |||
| Motto: You're Something Special in Winston-Salem | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | North Carolina | ||
| Counties | Forsyth County | ||
| Founded Incorporated |
1766 (Salem) 1849 (Winston) 1913 |
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| Mayor | Allen Joines (D) | ||
| Area | |||
| - City | 283.9 km² (109.6 sq mi) | ||
| - Water | 2.0 km² (0.8 sq mi) | ||
| Population | |||
| - City (2000) | 185,776[1] | ||
| - Density | 659,0/km² | ||
| - Metro | 441,607 | ||
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) | ||
| Website: City of Winston-Salem, NC | |||
Winston-Salem is a city in Forsyth County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 185,776; in 2004 the city annexed an additional 17,483 raising the population to 203,259. It is the county seat of Forsyth County, North Carolina, and the fourth-largest city[1] in the state. Winston-Salem is a prominent municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to the tallest office building in the region, the Wachovia Center. It is often referred to as the "Twin City" for its dual heritage; "The Camel City" is another popular nickname, referring to the city's prominent tobacco industry (after Camel cigarettes). Most locals, however, use the short name "Winston" in informal speech.
The Old Salem district and related Historic Bethabara site are the city's oldest historical attractions. Also of historical interest is Reynolda Village (which includes Reynolda Gardens and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art). Other sites of interest include the Horne Creek Historic Farm, Tanglewood Park, the SciWorks educational facility, and SECCA, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art.
The Winston-Salem metropolitan area (MSA) has an estimated population of 441,607 according to the 2004 estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau. The combined statistical area (CSA) of Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point has a July 1, 2005 population of 1,490,886. Source: US Bureau of the Census Released April 2006
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[edit] History
[edit] 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 in the three forks of Muddy Creek. He called this area "die Wachau" (Wachovia, named after the Austrian estate of Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, Wachovia Bank takes its name from this area where it was founded. The land, just short of 99,000 acres (400 km²), was subsequently purchased from John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville.
On November 17, 1753, the first settlers arrived at what would later become the town of Bethabara. 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") chosen for it by the Moravian's late patron, Count Zinzendorf. On 6 January, 1766, the first tree was felled for the building of Salem. Salem was a typical Moravian settlement congregation with the public buildings of the congregation grouped around a central square, today Salem Square. These included the Church, a Brethren's House and a Sisters' House for the unmarried members of the Congregation, which owned all the property in town. For many years only members of the Moravian Church were permitted to live in the settlement. This practice had ended by the War between the States. Many of the original buildings in the settlement have been restored or rebuilt by Old Salem, Inc. The Home Moravian Church there is still the largest Moravian parish in the country. Salem Square and the adjacent Moravian graveyard, known as "God's Acre," are the site of the world famous Easter Sunrise Service when thousands of people gather in the early morning to celebrate Christ's Resurrection in a service whose roots reach back to Herrnhut Saxony Germany in the year 1732.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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, namesake of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, played a large role in the history and public life of Winston-Salem.
[edit] Notable early businesses
- Richard Joshua Reynolds established the second-largest tobacco firm in the global tobacco industry in Winston-Salem in 1874. Today, RJR is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc., also headquartered in the city.
- Wachovia Bank and Trust was formed in 1911 by the merger of Wachovia National Bank (founded 1879) and Wachovia Loan and Trust (founded 1893). The company is today located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- The J.A. and C.E. Bennett Marble and Granite Works was established in 1885.
- In 1903, R.J. Reynolds advertised in the Winston Newspaper horse stud service for $15.00.
- In 1906, the Bennett Bottling Company produced Bennett's Cola, a "Fine Carbonic Drink." The name was later changed to Winston-Salem Bottling Works in 1915.
- In 1937 Krispy Kreme opened its first doughnut shop in Winston-Salem, in a rented building on South Main Street. The shop sold directly to customers in the historic district.
[edit] Geography
Winston-Salem is located at (36.102764, -80.260491)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 283.9 km² (109.6 mi²). 281.9 km² (108.8 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (0.71%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there are 185,776 people, 76,247 households, and 46,205 families residing in the city. The population density is 659.0/km² (1,706.7/mi²). There are 82,593 housing units at an average density of 293.0/km² (758.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 55.57% White, 37.10% African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.29% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. 8.64% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 76,247 households out of which 28.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% are married couples living together, 16.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% are non-families. 33.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.95.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $37,006, and the median income for a family is $46,595. Males have a median income of $32,398 versus $26,335 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,468. 15.2% of the population and 11.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.0% of those under the age of 18 and 11.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
A 2006 cost of living survey (Mercer) ranked Winston-Salem as the least expensive city in the U.S. or Europe, 124th worldwide - slightly over half as expensive as living in Moscow.
[edit] Economy
Winston-Salem is the location of the corporate headquarters of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco corporation, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc., Southern Community Bank and Trust, Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T), TW Garner Food Company (makers of Texas Pete), Hanesbrands, Inc., and Lowes Foods Stores, Inc. The Wachovia Corporation was based in Winston-Salem until it merged with First Union Corporation in September 2001; the corporate headquarters of the combined company are now in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Although traditionally associated with the textile, furniture, and tobacco industries, Winston-Salem is attempting to attract new businesses in the nanotech, high-tech and bio-tech fields. Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is the largest employer in Winston-Salem. Blue Rhino, the nation's largest propane exchange company and a division of Ferrellgas, is also headquartered in Winston-Salem.
[edit] Dell Computer Plant
In December 2004, the city landed a deal with Dell, Inc. to build a computer assembly plant nearby in southeastern Forsyth County, near the junction of Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 311. To attract Dell, the city offered an incentive package that could reach almost $38 million dollars. The State offered additional incentives which could reach $267 million. The incentive packages have sparked a lawsuit and received criticism including that of state representative Paul Luebke, who said that he thinks "North Carolina dramatically overpaid Dell to come here." [1]. Despite the controversy, construction of the plant was completed during the summer of 2005, and the plant celebrated its official opening on October 5, 2005 with 350 employees. Dell expects the number of local employees to increase to 700 by September 2006 and economic studies have projected that, by 2010, the region will gain 1,500 Dell jobs and potentially as many as 6,000 indirect jobs. .[2]
[edit] Research Park
A portion of downtown Winston-Salem has been recently designated as the Piedmont Triad Research Park for biomedical and information technology research and development. Currently, the research park is undergoing an expansion, with hopes of jumpstarting the city's economy.
[edit] Features and attractions
[edit] Education
Winston-Salem's public school system is Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, which has most of its schools inside Winston-Salem. WS/FC Schools include 41 elementary schools, 17 middle schools and 15 high schools. Winston-Salem also has a number of universities, including: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina School of the Arts, Salem College, Piedmont Baptist College, and Winston-Salem Bible College, and is home to Forsyth Technical Community College as well. Private and Parochial schools also make up a significant portion of Winston-Salem’s educational establishment. Salem Academy, located in Old Salem, has been providing education to young women since 1772. Until 2001 Winston-Salem was home to Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School (now in Kernersville, North Carolina), one of only 3 Catholic High Schools in North Carolina. Catholic elementary schools include St. Leo The Great and Our Lady of Mercy (which now resides on the same location as the original Bishop McGuinness). Forsyth Country Day School (in Lewisville, North Carolina and Summit School are the secular private schools in the city.
[edit] Museums
Museums are an important portion of Winston-Salem's heritage. The Reynolda House Museum of American Art (built by the founder of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and now owned by Wake Forest University) is Winston-Salem's premiere museum. The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) is a local art museum worthy of interest. The Wake Forest University Museum of Anthropology is an excellent anthropological museum, maintained by Wake Forest University, that has many fascinating artifacts and other important pieces of history. The city also offers places oriented for children. SciWorks is a fun, interactive museum for children, teaching basics in all areas of science, and offering fun experiments and educational tours. The Children's Museum of Winston-Salem is based on literature, incorporating classic stories and fairy tales into its permanent and traveling exhibits for younger children.
[edit] Art
Winston-Salem is often referred to as the "City of the Arts," in part because of its history, in having the first arts council in the United States, founded in 1949, and for the local art schools and attractions. These include the North Carolina School of the Arts, the Piedmont Opera Theater, the Winston-Salem Symphony, the Stevens Center for the Performing Arts, and the Sawtooth Center for Visual Arts. There are many galleries and workshops in the city's art district centered at Sixth and Trade streets. The city plays host to the National Black Theatre Festival and the RiverRun Film Festival. Winston-Salem is also the home of the Art-o-mat, and houses nine of them throughout the city.
[edit] Gardens
Reynolda Gardens is a 4-acre formal garden set within a larger woodland site, originally part of the R.J. Reynolds country estate.
[edit] Sports
Winston-Salem provides a number of athletic attractions. The Warthogs are a Class A Minor-League baseball team currently affiliated with the Chicago White Sox. The team plays its home games at historic Ernie Shore Field from April to early September. Its players have included Carlos Lee, Joe Crede, Jon Garland, and Aaron Rowand, all of whom have played extensively at the major league level. Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State University both have outstanding basketball programs. Wake Forest plays in the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum which has quickly become one of the nations toughest venues since Coach Skip Prosser's arrival in 2001. The Deacons have consistently been nationally ranked and made numerous post season appearances including an NIT championship in 2000 and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen in 2004. Wake Forest University's football team plays it games in Groves Stadium which seats 31,500 and is located across the street from the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum . Wake Forest also fields outstanding women's teams; its field hockey team won three consecutive national championships between 2002 and 2004. NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series racing takes place from March until August at city-owned Bowman Gray Stadium, after which the stadium is converted for football and is used by Winston-Salem State University for Rams games. Besides major sports, Winston-Salem offers a variety of community and children's programs. Winston-Salem's YMCAs are a great place for exercise and athletics for both children and adults. Community recreation centers also provide cost-effective exercise and sports. Dodgeball is a recreational sport that has recently gained regional interest. Winston-Salem Parks and Recreation also maintains several community pools for which memberships are available.
[edit] Shopping
Winston-Salem is home to Hanes Mall, the largest shopping mall in North Carolina, and one of the largest in the southeastern United States. The area surrounding the mall along Stratford Road, Silas Creek Parkway, and Hanes Mall Boulevard has become the city's largest shopping district. Numerous shopping centers have been built in the area, including Hanes Point Shopping Center, Hanes Commons, Pavillions, Stone's Throw Plaza, Silas Creek Crossing and Thruway Shopping Center.
Other major shopping areas are found along Peters Creek Parkway (home of Marketplace Mall), University Parkway, Jonestown Road, North Point Boulevard, Reynolda Road, and Robinhood Road.
[edit] Transportation
[edit] Thoroughfares
US 52 (shared with NC 8) is the predominant north-south freeway through Winston-Salem; it passes through the heart of downtown. Business 40 is the main east-west freeway through downtown Winston-Salem, but further south, a bypass loop (built in 1993) of I-40 links many of the area shopping districts. US 311, also a freeway, links Winston-Salem to High Point (southeast) and follows I-40 and US 52 through the Winston-Salem business district. US 421, which shares Business 40 through downtown, splits in the western part of the city onto its own freeway west (signed north) toward Wilkesboro, North Carolina and Boone, North Carolina.
The Winston Salem Northern Beltway is a proposed freeway that will loop around the city to the north, providing a route for the Future I-74 on the western section and the Future spur I-274 on the eastern seciton. The NCDOT plans for this project to be implemented after 2006. In the near future, US 52 south of I-40 will be signed as I-285. The Winston-Salem Department of Transportation also plans for the US 311 freeway to be extended north along the east side of the city to Business I-40 by 2030, according to the Long Range Plan.
Other major thoroughfares in Winston-Salem include NC 67 (Silas Creek Parkway & Reynolda Road), NC 150 (Peters Creek Parkway), U.S. Highway 158 (Stratford Road), University Parkway, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, North Point Boulevard, and Hanes Mall Boulevard.
[edit] Aviation
Winston-Salem is served by Greensboro's Piedmont Triad International Airport. The airport also serves much of the surrounding Piedmont Triad area, including High Point, North Carolina.
A smaller airport, known as Smith Reynolds Airport, is located within the city limits, just northeast of downtown. It is mainly used for general aviation and charter flights. Every year, Smith Reynolds Airport hosts an air show for the general public. The Smith Reynolds Airport is home to the Winston-Salem Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol.
[edit] Media
[edit] Newspapers
The Winston-Salem Journal is the main daily newspaper in Winston-Salem. The Winston-Salem Chronicle is a weekly newspaper that focuses on the African-American community.
[edit] Radio Stations
These radio stations are located in Winston-Salem, and are listed by call letters, station number, and name. Many more radio stations can be picked up in Winston-Salem, however, they are not located in Winston-Salem.
- WFDD, 88.5 FM, Wake Forest University (NPR Affiliate)
- WBFJ, 89.3 FM, Music From The Heart (Religious)
- WSNC, 90.5 FM, Winston-Salem State University
- WXRI, 91.3 FM, Southern Gospel
- WMQX, 93.1 FM, The Wolf
- WZTX, 101.1 FM, FM Talk 101
- WTQR, 104.1 FM, Country Radio
- WKZL, 107.5 FM, #1 Hit Music Station
- WSJS, 600 AM, News-Talk Radio
- WTRU, 830 AM, The Truth (Religious)
- WPIP, 880 AM, Berean Christian School
- WAAA, 980 AM, Oldies
- WPOL, 1340 AM, The Light Gospel Music
- WTOB, 1380 AM, Spanish Radio
- WSMX, 1500 AM, Religious Radio
- WFBJ, 1550 AM, Music From The Heart (Religious)
[edit] Television stations
Winston-Salem makes up part of the Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point television designated market area. These stations are listed by call letters, channel number, network and city of license.
- WFMY-TV, 2, CBS, Greensboro
- WGHP, 8, Fox, High Point
- WXII-TV, 12, NBC, Winston-Salem
- WGPX, 16, i, Burlington
- WCWG, 20, CW, Lexington
- WUNL-TV, 26, PBS/UNC-TV, Winston-Salem
- WXLV-TV, 45, ABC, Winston-Salem
- WMYV, 48, My, Greensboro
- WLXI-TV, 61, TBN, Greensboro
[edit] Surrounding areas
Some minor outlying areas and surrounding municipalities are:
- Arcadia, North Carolina (in Davidson County)
- Bethania, North Carolina
- Clemmons, North Carolina
- Kernersville, North Carolina
- King, North Carolina (mostly in Stokes County)
- Lewisville, North Carolina
- Midway, North Carolina (in Davidson County)
- Old Town, North Carolina
- Pfafftown, North Carolina (Annexed by Winston-Salem, September 2006)
- Rural Hall, North Carolina
- Seward, North Carolina
- Stanleyville, North Carolina
- Tobaccoville, North Carolina
- Union Cross, North Carolina
- Vienna, North Carolina
- Walkertown, North Carolina
- Wallburg, North Carolina (in Davidson County)
- Welcome, North Carolina (in Davidson County)
Some nearby major cities are:
[edit] Sister cities
Winston-Salem has two sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI):
[edit] Famous residents
- Maya Angelou, poet
- Ed Berrier, NASCAR driver
- Richard Childress, NASCAR team owner
- Mark Grace, former first baseman for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks
- Josh Howard, NBA player on the Dallas Mavericks.
- Patrick O'Sullivan, NHL prospect for the Los Angeles Kings
- Chris Paul, NBA player on the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
- Matt Kendrick, Jazz Bassist
- Karen Kendrick, Jazz Pianist
- Ben Folds, singer-songwriter
- Mitch Easter, musician (Let's Active) and record producer
- Rickey Hickman, UNCG Basketball Star
- Jackée Harry, actress/comedian
[edit] Movies Filmed in Winston-Salem
[edit] Slang
- The younger generation in Winston-Salem will often use the slang terms "The Dash" and "The Hyphen" (referring to the hyphen between "Winston" and "Salem") to refer to the city, and "Tre-Fo" (a reference to the county being in District 34) for Forsyth County.
[edit] See also
- Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools School district
- Piedmont Triad
- I-85 Corridor
- SC-NC-VA Tornado Outbreak
[edit] External links
- Official website of Winston-Salem, NC
- Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce
- Winston-Salem Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Winston-Salem Journal
- Dixie Classic Fair in Winston-Salem
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
