On this day in 1911, the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco office force moved into their new building on the corner of Main and Fifth Streets. The office force moved from RJR Factory #8, where they were located since 1900.
Numbered as RJR Building #38, the new office was built to accommodate 200 employees.
The four-story building was L-shaped, with trees in the open space that formed a courtyard. The first floor was devoted to offices, and thirteen private offices housed company officials. These offices were furnished with mahogany furniture and were located in the wing facing Main Street.
The sales and accounting departments were located in the opposite wing.
Special features of the building included the “excellent lighting facilities” and the large and plentiful windows for light and ventilation.
The building was used for offices until the Reynolds Building opened in 1929. It was demolished in 1972.
Photos courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
