Bethania in Forsyth County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bethania Freedman's Community

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, February 11, 2012

1. Bethania Freedman's Community Marker

Inscription. The community established along this road in the Bethania Town Lot was built by African-American men and women who began acquiring land here following the Civil War. Many of these people had been enslaved on the Oak Grove plantation, from which they had purchased much of this land. The area became a thriving historic African-American community, and included a church, school, stores, canning factory, farms, and a popular fishing lake. The nearby church, established by Bethania Moravians in 1850, became Bethania A.M.E. Zion Church in 1875, and continues to serve at its original location. Descendants of early families continue to live in this historically significant community.

Erected 2008 by Winston-Salem Historic Marker Program.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Civil Rights • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 36° 11.951′ N, 80° 18.902′ W. Marker is in Bethania, North Carolina, in Forsyth County. Marker is at the intersection of Bethania Rural Hall Rd. and Turfwood Drive, on the left when traveling

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north on Bethania Rural Hall Rd.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bethania NC 27010, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cedar Grove School (approx. 1.4 miles away); Great Wagon Road (approx. 1.7 miles away); Oak Grove School (approx. 1.9 miles away); Samuel and Sarah Stauber Farm (approx. 1.9 miles away); Wolff-Moser House (approx. 1.9 miles away); Bethania (approx. 1.9 miles away); a different marker also named Bethania (approx. 2 miles away); Lord Cornwallis (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bethania.

Also see . . .
1. Recognition Time (W-S Journal). (Submitted on February 12, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.)
2. Freedmen's Plots (W-S Journal). (Submitted on February 12, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.)
3. Freedman's Community moves toward recognition (W-S Journal). (Submitted on January 24, 2018, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.)

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, February 11, 2012

2. Bethania Freedman's Community Marker

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, February 11, 2012

3. Bethania Freedman's Community Marker

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, February 11, 2012

4. Bethania Freedman's Community Marker

Entrance to Bethania A.M.E. Zion Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, February 11, 2012

5. Entrance to Bethania A.M.E. Zion Church

Geotagged photo included to give approximate location of original church.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,277 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 12, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.