Old Salem in Winston-Salem in Forsyth County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Old Salem Historic District
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 13, 2023
1. Old Salem Historic District Marker
Est. 1948 here as first local historic district in N.C. Prototype for state's local historic preservation laws.
Erected 2023 by North Carolina Office of Archives and History. (Marker Number J-126.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks, and the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.
Location. 36° 4.944′ N, 80° 14.464′ W. Marker is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in Forsyth County. It is in Old Salem. It is at the intersection of Old Salem Road and East Salem Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Old Salem Road. Marker is on northeast side of the traffic circle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winston Salem NC 27101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont and specifically in Piedmont Triad. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Washington's Southern Tour (a few steps from this marker); Salem and the "Farmer's Railroad" (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Salem Academy and College (about 400 feet away); Lewis Hege (1840-1918) (about 500 feet away); Reich-Hege House Site (1830-1922) (about 500 feet away); Reich-Hege Lot (1830)
this page online
Also see . . . Old Salem. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (Submitted on February 26, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 13, 2023
2. Old Salem Historic District Marker
Warren LeMay via Flickr (Public Domain), September 2, 2019
3. Salt Street, Old Salem
Within the historic district forty of the first sixty buildings constructed for Salem are extant, including ten of the eleven public buildings erected before 1811. These range from the Fourth House (1768), a half-timber cottage whose design clearly reflects the German origins of its builders, to the John Vogler House (1819), which shows the skill of Moravian builders combined with elements of Federal design. (National Register nomination, prepared by Polly M. Rettig and Horace J. Sheelv, Jr.)
Warren LeMay via Flickr (Public Domain), September 2, 2019
4. Single Brothers House, Old Salem
This 2-story building with full basement (above ground on the rear) and double attic was constructed in two sections; the half-timbered northern section in 1768, the brick southern section in 1768. The building originally housed living quarters, chapel, and craft shops for the unmarried men of the congregation. (National Register nomination, prepared by Polly M. Rettig and Horace J. Sheelv, Jr.)
Warren LeMay via Flickr (Public Domain), September 2, 2019
5. Salem Tavern, Old Salem
This was the first brick building in Salem, erected in 1784 to replace an earlier frame tavern on the same site (destroyed by fire). The tavern is 2½ stories with a high gabled roof broken by twin interior chimneys and a single dormer. At its rear (west) is a large wooden barn with fieldstone foundation and leanto roof. (National Register nomination, prepared by Polly M. Rettig and Horace J. Sheelv, Jr.)
Warren LeMay via Flickr (Public Domain), September 2, 2019
6. John Vogler House, Old Salem
This 2½-story brick house with gabled roof, interior chimneys at either end, and a triangular entrance hood was constructed in 1819 by John Vogler, Salem's silversmith and clockmaker; it was the first building in Salem to combine Moravian and Federal architectural elements. (National Register nomination, prepared by Polly M. Rettig and Horace J. Sheelv, Jr.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 351 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 10, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
