Living Legacies Issue 1 Volume 1(clone) | Page 5

Winston is Salem's young neighbor, the county seat of the new Forsyth County, established in 1849. Recently, increasing numbers of people have come to Winston to find their own success in a range of businesses, or to explore new religious faiths in the county town. Prior to the War, however, Salem dominated the local economy.

Fueled by the excitement and potential offered by the recently opened railroad, Forsyth's industrial growth has continued at great speed since in the last few years, leading many new companies to find a home in Salem and Winston. A range of products, from cotton and woolen goods, to furniture and wagons is making the county the prime choice for business ventures of all types.

Now, Salem and Winston are able to easily trade raw materials and goods with the far reaches of North Carolina, as well as distant lands across the country.

In the past couple years, tobacco has become the King of the county, with factories and brick factories popping up weekly. We can now count several businesses in the Winston city limits, with a young man named R.J. Reynolds opening the newest company this year. The community will no doubt see far more growth in this industry in the coming years.

Though this area began with very small towns, the leaders of the community have created a place of prosperity here, and we are looking ahead for prosperous and exciting times ahead.

Background image: View of Salem from Northwest (Courtesy of Old Salem Museums & Gardens).