Race

New Historic Marker Commemorates African-American Neighborhood Of Silver Hill

By Bethany Chafin

Published May 21, 2018 at 11:27 AM EDT

Winston-Salem has a new historic marker at the corner of Wiley Avenue and Holiday Street. It celebrates the African-American neighborhood of Silver Hill.

City officials unveiled the marker on Saturday.

Silver Hill was established in the 1880s by African-Americans working in Winston-Salem's tobacco factories and as domestic workers.

The L-shaped neighborhood included a church and a cemetery. The community housed approximately 12 families through 1952. None of the original homes remain.

During the first decades of the twentieth century, the area was surrounded by new developments in Buena Vista and West Highlands.

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Bethany Chafin

Bethany is WFDD's editorial director. She joined the staff in the fall of 2012. She received her B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Wake Forest University. Between undergraduate studies and graduate school, Bethany served as the intern to Talk of the Nation at NPR in D.C., participating in live NPR Election Night Coverage, Presidential debate broadcasts, regular Talk of the Nation shows, and helping to plan the inaugural broadcast of ‘Talk of the World.' She enjoys engaging with her interests in books, politics, and art in the interdisciplinary world of public radio. Before becoming editorial director, Bethany was assistant news Director, a reporter and associate producer for WFDD's Triad Arts and Triad Arts Weekend. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Bethany enjoys calling the Piedmont home.

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New Historic Marker Commemorates African-American Neighborhood Of Silver Hill

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