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Greensboro NC History

In 1808, Greensborough (as it was known prior to 1895) was originally planned around a central courthouse square to replace Guilford Court House as the county seat. This moved the county court toward the center of the county where it was more easily reached by a greater number of county citizens. The property was purchased for $98.

The city was named for Major General Nathanael Greene, who was the commander of the American forces at the Battle of Guilford Court House which was fought March 15, 1781. Though the Americans lost that battle, British forces were slowed, enabling the Americans to sufficiently prepare for their victory at the Battle of Yorktown. The British were forced to surrender there on October 19, 1781, thus ending the Revolutionary War. Historian David McCullough considers Nathanael Greene to be "the best general" in the American military during the Revolution, including George Washington.

Greensboro was established near the geographic center of Guilford County. In the early 1840’s, Governor Morehead went to the state government requesting that Greensboro be included on a railroad line. The city grew significantly and became known as the Gate City due to its role as a transportation hub for the state. The railroads transported goods to and from textile mills, whose own mill villages blossomed around the city.

Greensboro is still a major textile headquarters city with the main offices of International Textile Group (Cone, Burlington Industries), Galey & Lord, Unifi, and VF Corporation (Wrangler, Lee, North Face, Vanity Fair). Rail traffic continues as Greensboro is a major North Carolina freight hub, and four Amtrak passenger trains stop in Greensboro daily on the main Norfolk & Western line between Washington and New Orleans by way of Atlanta.

During the final days of the Civil War, the Confederate Cabinet had evacuated the Confederate Capital, Richmond, Virginia on their way south. The group reassembled in Greensboro, and for just five days, Greensboro served as the temporary capital of the Confederacy. Also, during a brief period beginning on April 16, 1865, the capital of North Carolina was temporarily maintained in Greensboro. Governor Vance proclaimed the North Carolina Surrender Declaration on April 28, 1865. Later, Vance turned himself over to Union officials in the parlor of Blandwood Mansion, terminating the Confederacy.

During the 19th century, Greensboro was a stop on the Underground Railroad. The Railroad helped runaway slaves travel to freedom in the North. In the 1861 Secession Convention Vote, Guilford County overwhelmingly voted against secession from the Union. Greensboro, due to its anti-secessionist attitude before the War, became a destination for numerous Yankee carpetbaggerss. One famous personality in Greensboro's history was Albion W. Tourgee, who lived in Greensboro from 1865 till 1879. Tourgee eventually became a Superior Court Judge, and a champion of civil rights. Due to his progressive ideas, he experienced numerous conflicts with members of the Ku Klux Klann before fleeing to Greensboro.

Throughout the 1890s, the city continued to draw industrialists from the north, including Moses and Ceasar Cone of Baltimore. The Cones, of Jewish faith, established large scale textile plants, growing Greensboro from a village to a city within a decade. By 1900, Greensboro was considered a center of the Southern textile industry. The resulting prosperity resulted in the emergence of notable twentieth century civic architecture, included the Guilford County Courthouse, West Market Street Methodist Church, and UNCG’s Main Building designed by Orlo Epps. During the twentieth century, Greensboro continued to enjoy prosperity and populationg rowth. Other notable industries became established in the city, including Vicks Cemical Co, Carolina Steel Corporation, and Pomona Terra Cotta Works. Greensboro's real estate was considered "the wonder of the state" during the 1920s. Growth even continued through the Depression. The city was considered a well-planned community, with a strong emphasis on education, parks, and a profitable employment base.

In April of 1944, Greensboro was selected as the site for the Overseas Replacement Depot for the Army Air Corps. In the final days of World War II, approximately 240,000 men and women were processed there and some 1,200 civilians were employed there. The Depot exposed numerous soldiers to the city, and many eventually made their homes there. The hub also bolstered Greensboro's already thriving economy, strengthening the city's position as a transportation hub. In 1946 the city was chosen as a hub for mail service between Washington and Atlanta. The following year retailer Sears Roebuck selected Greensboro for its southeastern warehouse and mail-order plant.

Throughout the 50’s, changes began to occur within Greensboro’s traditional social structure. On February 1, 1960, four black students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College sat at an all-white Woolworth’s lunch counter and would not leave, even after being denied service. Soon they were joined by others, ultimately hundreds who decided to join in the “sit-in”. It last for several months and led to other protests across the South. Ultimately such protests ended the desegregation of Woolworth’s and other chains.

By 1980, Greensboro had established itself as a major force in insurance, textile manufacturing, higher education, and transportation. National headquarters in the city included United Guaranty, Blue Bell, Cone Mills, and Burlington Industries, all international textile firms; Paul N. Howard Company, an international construction firm; Richardson-Vicks, maker of VapoRub, Vicks cough drops, and Nyquil; Southern Life Insurance Company and Jefferson-Pilot Insurance.

With this rich history there are many important historical sites to visit and enjoy throughout Greensboro