Edison Visits Winston-Salem - Page 1
Posted: August 27, 2008
August 29, 1918 was a great day to be in downtown Winston-Salem. There was no forewarning, no advance notice that this would be a red-letter day in Winston-Salem history. You just had to be there.
In 1918 Winston-Salem led North Carolina cities in many categories - largest manufacturing city overall and in particular for knit goods, flat plug tobacco, wagons and furniture. Winston-Salem led all North Carolina cities in population increase and boasted the largest weekly payroll between Richmond and Atlanta. Two daily newspapers served this thoroughly modern city, and three railway systems were centered here. With 37 million dollars invested in factories, there were also five banks to make loans and provide competition. With an abundant water supply, 200 miles of permanently improved roads in Forsyth County, streets lighted by electric lamps, and modern sewerage and drainage systems, Winston-Salem was second to none.
It was to this city that a call came from Statesville during the morning of August 29th reporting that travelers nearing Mocksville needed a part for their car. John Gilmer, vice-president of the Motor Company at 223 N. Main Street, received the call and promptly made arrangements to bring the car in for repairs. He also alerted Norman Stockton, secretary of the Rotary Club. Stockton and a representative of the Board of Trade (now called the Chamber of Commerce) moved quickly to arrange a luncheon for the travelers at Forsyth Country Club.
Several cars went to Mocksville carrying citizens, such as Will Maslin, to greet the visitors and bring them to the club. And this is how Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone Junior and Senior, along with D. J. De Loach and R. V. Cline, made their unplanned visit to Winston-Salem.
The travelers had been on the road about 10 days, starting their tour in Pittsburgh and spending the previous night in Asheville. They had been living in the open, sleeping in tents, and viewing nature, people, forests, fields and industry. Hagerstown, Maryland was the final destination for this trip.
Posted: August 27, 2008
August 29, 1918 was a great day to be in downtown Winston-Salem. There was no forewarning, no advance notice that this would be a red-letter day in Winston-Salem history. You just had to be there.
In 1918 Winston-Salem led North Carolina cities in many categories - largest manufacturing city overall and in particular for knit goods, flat plug tobacco, wagons and furniture. Winston-Salem led all North Carolina cities in population increase and boasted the largest weekly payroll between Richmond and Atlanta. Two daily newspapers served this thoroughly modern city, and three railway systems were centered here. With 37 million dollars invested in factories, there were also five banks to make loans and provide competition. With an abundant water supply, 200 miles of permanently improved roads in Forsyth County, streets lighted by electric lamps, and modern sewerage and drainage systems, Winston-Salem was second to none.
It was to this city that a call came from Statesville during the morning of August 29th reporting that travelers nearing Mocksville needed a part for their car. John Gilmer, vice-president of the Motor Company at 223 N. Main Street, received the call and promptly made arrangements to bring the car in for repairs. He also alerted Norman Stockton, secretary of the Rotary Club. Stockton and a representative of the Board of Trade (now called the Chamber of Commerce) moved quickly to arrange a luncheon for the travelers at Forsyth Country Club.
Several cars went to Mocksville carrying citizens, such as Will Maslin, to greet the visitors and bring them to the club. And this is how Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone Junior and Senior, along with D. J. De Loach and R. V. Cline, made their unplanned visit to Winston-Salem.
The travelers had been on the road about 10 days, starting their tour in Pittsburgh and spending the previous night in Asheville. They had been living in the open, sleeping in tents, and viewing nature, people, forests, fields and industry. Hagerstown, Maryland was the final destination for this trip.