Everything Thomasville is known for
Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Thomasville.
High Point, North Carolina sits in the heart of the Piedmont, a place where furniture making traditions run deep. But the city's story stretches beyond its reputation as the "Home Furnishings Capital of the World." It's also the place where some remarkable individuals started their journeys.
Winston-Salem's roots run deep into the 18th century, planted by a unique group: the Moravians. These Protestant settlers, seeking religious freedom, established Salem as a carefully planned community. Their German heritage shaped everything from the town's architecture, with its distinct brick buildings and symmetrical layout, to its communal life centered around the church. The Wachovia dialect, a blend of German and English, was once common, though it gradually faded as English became dominant. Yet echoes remain, perhaps in the pronunciation of certain street names or the recipes passed down through generations. The Moravian influence is still visible today. Old Salem Museums & Gardens preserves their way of life, showcasing traditional crafts, foodways, and music. Lovefeast, a Moravian tradition of sharing a sweet bun and coffee during religious services, is still practiced, especially during the Christmas season.
Winston-Salem occupies a sweet spot in the North Carolina Piedmont, both geographically and culturally. Its slightly elevated position, rising to around 1,000 feet, offers a vantage point over the rolling hills, while Pilot Mountain looms in the distance, a constant visual reminder of the surrounding landscape. But its distinctiveness stems less from topography and more from tobacco. The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company transformed the area, funding not only an economic boom but also institutions like Reynolda House, a sprawling estate that now houses a significant collection of American art. The company's influence is deeply embedded in the city’s identity. Today, visitors are drawn by the city's blend of art, history, and outdoor recreation. They might tour Reynolda House, try to spot a ghost at Graylyn Estate, or even drive out to Pilot Mountain for a hike. But ask a local why people stay, and the answer is likely to be more nuanced than the brochures suggest. Instead, it’s the feeling of a community built on a unique past that is now finding its way into a more diverse future, driven by healthcare and technology, but still undeniably rooted in the spirit of innovation that built it. And, of course, the enduring appeal of a hot Krispy Kreme doughnut.
Restored Moravian congregation town founded in 1766, one of America's most complete colonial settlements.
35 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
Imagine a time when trains were the lifeblood of a town – this spot was right in the middle of it. This is the Thomasville Railroad Passenger Depot, one of the oldest wooden depots still standing in North Carolina.…
Get ready to feast your eyes on a giant! This building you're approaching is the largest in North Carolina. It all started with the Tomlinson Chair Manufacturing Company. Back in the early 1900s, they built a factory…
High Point, North Carolina sits in the heart of the Piedmont, a place where furniture making traditions run deep. But the city's story stretches beyond its reputation as the "Home Furnishings Capital of the World." It's…
Right here, where you're driving, once stood First Baptist Church, a vital part of High Point's African-American community. Built in 1907, the church was designed in the Late Gothic Revival style. Over the years, it…
Pull over for a minute and imagine a bustling community built around the rhythm of the textile mill. This is Erlanger Mill Village, a living piece of North Carolina's industrial past. In the early 1900s, Erlanger Mill…
This unassuming brick building tells a tale of Lexington's bustling industrial past. For generations, this was the Grimes Brothers Mill, a vital part of the local economy. Built around 1885, the four-story mill…
The capital of North Carolina's Piedmont-style BBQ. Vinegar-based red slaw since 1962.
Imagine the rhythmic clatter of looms filling the air – that's the sound that once defined Oakdale Cotton Mill Village. Founded in the mid-1800s, the Oakdale Cotton Mill was a major textile producer. Over time, a whole…
Step back in time to the Wilson Kindley Farm and Mine, a landmark that whispers tales of North Carolina's gold rush days. Imagine the thrill of discovery as you stand where fortunes were sought, and sometimes found. The…
Imagine needing gas and seeing a giant seashell beckoning you! That's exactly what the Shell Service Station in Winston-Salem was designed to do. Back in 1930, the Quality Oil Company, a local Shell distributor, decided…
Take a stroll through this district and see a large collection of early 20th century architecture. The Sunnyside–Central Terrace Historic District showcases how Winston-Salem grew from the late 1890s through the…
Hold on a sec, because this area represents a vision of Winston-Salem's growth. This is the Washington Park Historic District, also known as the Southside Neighborhood. It's more than just houses; it was a carefully…
Prepare to be amazed because just ahead lies Körner's Folly, one of the strangest houses you'll ever see! It's not just a house; it's a 6,000 square foot labyrinth of oddities. Built in 1880 by Jule Gilmer Körner, it…
Imagine the rhythmic thump and splash of a water-powered mill, a sound that once echoed daily through this valley. That was Grimes-Crotts Mill, vital to the local economy. Built sometime between 1870 and 1880, this…
Imagine the excitement when car buyers first laid eyes on the latest models right here! This is the site of the old Stuart Motor Company. Built in 1926, the Stuart Motor Company showroom was a utilitarian brick…
This unassuming spot holds a powerful story: it's where St. Philips Moravian Church, the oldest surviving African American church building in North Carolina, once stood.Construction on St. Philips began in 1861 on the…
Restored Moravian congregation town founded in 1766, one of America's most complete colonial settlements.
Imagine a town where time seems to have stood still! That's Old Salem, a living-history museum that transports you back to the 18th and 19th centuries. This unique settlement was founded by the Moravians, a Protestant…
This unassuming house holds a secret: it connects us to rural life in North Carolina over a century ago. Built around 1879, the Hampton House is a classic example of a simple Greek Revival I-house, a popular style in…
Take a look around; you're entering a place where time seems to slow down, the West Salem Historic District. This area showcases a remarkable collection of architectural styles. From the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, the…
This unassuming church tells a powerful story of community and resilience. Originally built in 1924 as the East Fourth Street Baptist Church, this building took on new life when it became Goler Metropolitan AME Zion…
Stand here and you're standing on the edge of Winston-Salem's industrial revolution. Indera Mills, later known as Maline Mills, once hummed with the energy of textile production. Around 1904, this complex began to take…
Pull over for a moment and take a look at this unassuming building; it whispers tales of faith and community. This is the Old German Baptist Brethren Church, built in 1860. It served as a meetinghouse for the German…
From carriage repository to wagonworks, this building has seen many transformations in Winston-Salem's history. Back in 1893, S. J. Nissen built this impressive brick structure to house his carriage and wagon business.…
These aren't just old buildings; they're the skeleton of a tobacco empire that shaped Winston-Salem. From about 1890 to 1959, this district buzzed with activity centered around the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Here,…
This Beaux-Arts courthouse represents the civic pride of Forsyth County. It was built in 1926, incorporating elements of an earlier courthouse from 1896.The Forsyth County Courthouse is a three-story, limestone clad…
Check out the Pepper Building! Its Art Deco details are a reminder of Winston-Salem's boom in the late 1920s. Designed by Northup and O'Brien, the Pepper Building went up in 1928. This six-story brick building…
Believe it or not, that skyscraper right there was once the king of the North Carolina skyline. Back in 1966, the Winston Tower, then known as the Wachovia Building, shot up to become the tallest in the state. It was a…
Winston-Salem's roots run deep into the 18th century, planted by a unique group: the Moravians. These Protestant settlers, seeking religious freedom, established Salem as a carefully planned community. Their German…
Ever heard of the Empire State Building? Well, legend has it, this beauty right here, the Reynolds Building, gave it some serious inspiration. Back in 1929, the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, you know, the cigarette…
Get a load of that building! For a brief time, it was the king of the North Carolina skyline. That's the O'Hanlon Building, built in 1915. Designed by Willard C. Northup, this eight-story building quickly became a…
This modest church played a vital role in the African-American community of Winston-Salem. Built between 1918 and 1919, Goler Memorial AME Zion Church served as a spiritual and community hub. Designed in the Late Gothic…
Take a peek into Winston-Salem's past as we explore the West End Historic District! This neighborhood wasn't just thrown together; it was carefully planned as a picturesque streetcar suburb around the turn of the 1900s.…
This spot marks the location of Cooleemee Plantation, a place deeply intertwined with the history of North Carolina. Built in the mid-1800s, Cooleemee was the home of the Hairston family, prominent planters in the…
This Norman Revival estate, built in the 1920s, offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of a bygone era. Graylyn Estate, originally called Graylin, was built for Bowman Gray, Sr., the chairman of the R.J. Reynolds…