June 14,1956: First Debutant Ball in Winston-Salem
On this day in 1956, the first Debutant Ball was held in Winston-Salem. The premier event was held at Forsyth Country Club. The club was decorated with flowers and trees, and a summer house...
Category: On This Date
June 13: Happy Birthday! William Asbury Whitaker
William Asbury Whitaker was born on this day in 1843, in Yadkin County, to John and Mary Vestal Whitaker. His parents died when William was young, so he lived with his uncle, John Long....
June 13,1970: Fries Auditorium Roof Collapses
On this day in 1970, a heavy rain caused the roof to collapse on the Fries Auditorium at Winston-Salem State University. The auditorium was built in 1939 and had a seating capacity of 1,000....
June 12: Happy Birthday! James Gordon Hanes Sr.
James Gordon Hanes Sr., known as “Jim,” was born on this day in 1886, in Winston-Salem. He was one of eight children, six boys and two girls, born to John Wesley and Anna Hodgin...
June 12,1968: WSJS Television Transmitter Damaged by Lightning
On this day in 1968, the WSJS television transmitter facility on Sauratown Mountain was extensively damaged when lightning struck the antenna at the top of the 650-foot tower. The photo above shows the transmitter...
June 11: Happy Birthday! Reverend Clifford Hinshaw Peace
Clifford Hinshaw Peace was born on this day in 1909, in Glenola, to June and Bessie Hinshaw Peace. He received his A. B. degree from High Point College and his B. D. degree from...
June 11,1939: Helen Keller Comes to Winston-Salem
On this day in 1939, Helen Keller (left) and her companion, Polly Thompson (right), took the stage at the Carolina Theatre to speak at the State Lions Convention. Miss Keller represented the American Foundation...
June 10: Happy Birthday! Marmaduke W. Norfleet
Marmaduke W. Norfleet was born on this day in 1839, in Caswell County, to Marmaduke and Mary Comer Roan Norfleet. Marmaduke received a good education, and served as a Confederate soldier with the Forty-second...
June 10,1987: Corpening Plaza Dedication
On this day in 1987, Corpening Plaza was dedicated as a new park, located at the corner of Liberty and First Streets. The park area was named for Wayne Corpening, Winston-Salem mayor from 1977...
June 9: Happy Birthday! Clark Samuel Brown
Clark Samuel Brown was born on this day in 1911, in Roanoke, Virginia, and he was educated in New York. He came to Winston-Salem in the early 1930s, and worked for the Fraternal Funeral...