Bethabara was the first Moravian settlement in North Carolina and in the Yadkin River Valley. It was founded in 1753 within a large piece ofland owned by the Moravians and which they called the Wachovia Tract. 

The Moravian settlers also founded nearby settlements of Bethania  in 1759 and 

Salem  in 1766.

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Learn more by visiting Old Salem, 

Bethabara, and/or Bethania

Richard Joshua (aka R.J.) Reynolds founded his tobacco company here in 1875

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RJ Reynolds towers in in the Innovation quarter 

The Reynolda Estate can be visited today

(includes the Reynolda Village, Gardens & House, as well as the church across the street.

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William Neal Reynolds - brother to R.J. Reynolds, owned Tanglewood

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Winston-Salem was created in 1913 by merging the two towns of Winston and Salem.

Winston

- founded in 1849 as county seat

- named after Mayor Joseph Winston 

Salem

- founded by Moravian settlers in 1766

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