City Heritage | Winston-Salem, NC

Walking through Winston-Salem, I was drawn in by the historical importance of the buildings around me. Although gentrified to a certain extent, the infrastructure left behind by the tobacco industry is a defining factor of this beautiful city. From the decrepit train tracks in the foreground, to the towering smokestacks of years passed, I'm reminded of the historical heritage of: Winston-Salem, NC.

The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company was founded in 1875 by Richard Joshua Reynolds in Winston, North Carolina (now Winston-Salem). It introduced Camel Cigarettes in 1913, which became one of America's most popular cigarette brands. Throughout the 20th century, RJR grew into one of the largest tobacco companies in the world, developing other well-known brands like Winston and Salem.

Wake Forest University, captured in this shot, traces its roots to 1834 when it began as a manual labor institute in Wake Forest, North Carolina. After over a century of growth and development, the university made a transformative move to Winston-Salem in 1956, supported by the Reynolds tobacco family's foundation. Originally founded to train Baptist ministers, it evolved into a prestigious private research university, formally achieving university status in 1967 and becoming independent from the Baptist State Convention in 1986. Today, Wake Forest is renowned for its strong liberal arts education, distinguished professional schools in law, medicine, and business, and its guiding motto "Pro Humanitate" (For Humanity), consistently ranking among the nation's top universities.

Quarry Park at Grant Park spans 200.34 acres in Winston-Salem, offering visitors a tranquil escape with its centerpiece being an overlook pier extending over the eastern edge of a water-filled quarry. Once the active Piedmont Quarry from the mid-1920s to early 1970s, the abandoned site naturally filled with water while maintaining its dramatic cliff faces. The park features multiple viewing points showcasing both the quarry's deep blue waters and Winston-Salem's skyline. This urban oasis exists thanks to Vulcan Materials' donation of the land to the city in 1997, transforming an industrial site into a peaceful natural retreat.

The water tower downtown did not seem to have any significance. Nonetheless, it has a significant impact on the small city's skyline and drew my eyes immediately.