Winston-Salem then vs. now

Have you ever wondered what our city used to look like? If you’re curious to know the shift that’s taken place in the Twin City, here are four places downtown that have evolved.

Let’s take a look at North Main Street. The street was filled with businesses and merchants throughout the corridor. Today, it’s lined with commercial buildings including the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, which used to be the former RJ Reynolds headquarters .

Photos by Digital Forsyth (left), Google screenshot (right) by Hellen Schmeal.

A block of buildings on Liberty, 5th and Trade streets were demolished to build the transit center in 1995. It’s now known as the Clark Campbell Transportation Center.

City officials ordered Trade Street to close for a downtown mall in 1970. Although it’s not quite a mall today, Trade Street is still full of shops, galleries, and restaurants for residents and visitors to eat, shop, and play.

Photo by Digital Forsyth (left), photo by WStoday (right)

First Baptist Church of Winston-Salem held regular worship services while it was located on the corner of 2nd and Church streets in 1876. Today, the Forsyth County Detention Center is on the same grounds. It opened in 1995.

Photo by Digital Forsyth (left), photo by WStoday (right)

Got any photos or memories of what the Twin City looked like in the past? Drop us a note and we may feature it in a future newsletter.