The Bailey Brothers Factory, Winston-Salem, Besucherguide & was in der Nähe unternehmen

The Bailey Brothers Factory is a stop at 290 4th St E in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on a block tied to the story of the Depot Street neighborhood, a thriving Black business district of the early 20th century. Its row of storefronts is described by local route creators as the only surviving group of buildings from that era, which is why the place matters far beyond its modest appearance.

The story behind it

Depot Street grew up as the Black workforce of Winston's tobacco industry settled in the streets around the factories. Over time the area filled with businesses owned by and serving the city's growing Black community, including theaters, restaurants, cafes, dance halls and schools.

The numbers show how fast it grew. In 1895 there were about 40 Black-owned businesses in Winston, and by 1920 there were around 400. Nearly all of the buildings from that period have since disappeared, but this string of storefronts remains. Over the years they housed ventures such as Little Rosa's Eat House, Reverend Oate's employment agency and the New Idea Beauty Parlor.

What to look for

• Look at the row of storefronts as one group rather than as single buildings, since together they are what is left of a much larger commercial street.
• Notice the ground-floor shopfronts and picture the cafes, parlors and offices that once opened onto this sidewalk.
• Compare this block with the buildings around it, and think about how much of the old neighborhood has gone.
• Keep the tobacco connection in mind: this street grew because of the workers in the nearby factories.

Tips for your visit

• Plan on 10 to 15 minutes here. The storefronts are best appreciated from the sidewalk, and the story is the main attraction.
• Daylight is best for seeing the details of the facades. Check current opening hours if you hope to go inside any business on the block.
• The stop is part of a walk through downtown Winston-Salem, so combine it with the other tobacco-era sites nearby rather than making a separate trip.
• Wear comfortable shoes, since the best way to take in the neighborhood is on foot.

See it on a quest

You can reach this block as one stop on Highlights of Winston-Salem: A Tobacco Trail, a self-guided walk through the city's tobacco heritage. The app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you, which makes you look closely at details most people walk past. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.