Winston-Salem in Forsyth County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Pond

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, February 15, 2012

1. The Pond Marker

Inscription. At the turn of the 20th century, Winston's water reservoir was located at the top of Trade Street Hill, where Eighth and Trade Streets intersected. Disaster struck in the early morning hours of November 2, 1904, when people in the neighborhood were awakened by a loud thud and shudders "like an earthquake." The entire north wall of the reservoir had collapsed. An estimated 800,000-1,400,000 gallons of water rushed into the neighborhood, destroying houses, killing nine people and injuring many others. It is said that a city official looking over the flooded area remarked that it looked "like a pond," and the name has been associated with the area since that day. The reservoir collapse remains the most tragic day of Winston and Salem's history.

Erected 2006 by Winston-Salem Historic Marker Program.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is November 2, 1904.

Location. 36° 6.63′ N, 80° 14.78′ W. Marker is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in Forsyth County. It is at the intersection of Northwest Blvd and Trade Street, on the left when traveling west on Northwest Blvd. 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

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: New Bethel Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); B.F. Huntley Furniture Co. (approx. ¼ mile away); Lloyd Presbyterian Church (approx. half a mile away); Pythian Hall (approx. 0.6 miles away); Symbol of Service (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); P.H. Hanes Knitting Company (approx. 0.6 miles away); Depot Street Graded School Site (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winston-Salem.

Also see . . . Sanborn map (1900). This Sanborn map from 1900 shows the location of the reservoir. It's on the bottom right of the map. (Submitted on February 16, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.)

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, February 15, 2012

2. The Pond Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, February 15, 2012

3. The Pond Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, February 15, 2012

4. The Pond Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, February 15, 2012

5. The Pond Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, February 15, 2012

6. The Pond Marker

Winston Reservoir - Before (1900 Sanborn Map) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sanborn Insurance Map

7. Winston Reservoir - Before (1900 Sanborn Map)

Ruins of Winston Reservoir (1907 Sanborn Map) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sanborn Insurance Map

8. Ruins of Winston Reservoir (1907 Sanborn Map)

Former Site of Winston Reservoir image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox

9. Former Site of Winston Reservoir

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,035 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 16, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 3. submitted on February 17, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 16, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 7, 8. submitted on February 20, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 9. submitted on February 17, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.