Another town in North Carolina tobacco country, Greensboro sits at a crossroads of two major throughways at the foot of the mountains in the central region of Piedmont. The name of the city, like many others in the region, is named after a general of great merit who served in the American Revolution, Nathaniel Greene.
Once Greensboro was included on the railway line that was to pass through central North Carolina, the city grew at a modest rate, mostly due to the textile industry and other forms of trade. The steady rise in wealth allowed the construction of some notable buildings that still stand today. Greensboro served its purpose as a state capital in 1865 and called itself capital of the Confederacy for five days during the Civil War.
The city continued to grow in the textile industry and more people came to live in Greensboro. Although outshone by Rosa Parks, the Woolworth’s department store was the stage of a multi-day sit in by black customers, which helped to destroy the franchise’s segregation policy. The stage was set, and Greensboro has been accepting to immigrants ever since. Many Vietnamese used by the American military during the Vietnam War have been resettled here. There is also a large Indian community, as well as many African immigrants that create a diverse local melting pot.
Highlights
Greensboro Center City Park: a fairly recent addition to the cityscape is this public green space next to the Greensboro Cultural Center.
The Bog Garden: stroll over elevated walkways through the wetlands and spot the variety of unique flowers and bushes, as well as indigenous animals.
Blandwood Mansion and Gardens: now housing a museum with exhibits of historically significant architecture, this estate was the home of former Governor John Motley Morehead.