Historic Recognition Beckons for Winston-Salem’s Industrial Icons
In the heart of Winston-Salem, two unassuming industrial structures are poised for national recognition. The Camel City Coach Company and the Bahnson Company building, both located on South Marshall Street near Old Salem, are in the running for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Camel City Coach, an expansive garage established in 1927, once thrived as a bustling hub for a regional bus line, employing hundreds. Today, it stands as the last surviving example of its kind in the city.
Michelle McCullough, a Historic Resources Project Planner, highlights the significance of the Bahnson Company building’s heritage. “They were innovators in all that they did in their field,” she says. The building is tied to the legacy of industrialist John Fries, known for his patented humidifier. McCullough emphasizes the longstanding impact these families had on the community, noting, “They were a really great business here, and just tremendous contributors to our community.”
The nomination of both buildings will be presented to the National Register Advisory Committee in Raleigh on February 12.
