Winston-Salem to Unveil Historic Marker Honoring Sidestown African American Community
Winston-Salem officials are preparing to unveil a historic marker this weekend to honor the Sidestown community, a once-thriving African American settlement. Sidestown was established in the decades following the Civil War by freed African Americans who had close ties to nearby Moravian settlements. The community was situated along what was formerly known as Alspaugh Street, now Madison Avenue, within the Ardmore neighborhood. Historically, Sidestown included homes, a school, and the Sidestown AME Zion Church, which was demolished in the 1950s. While much of the original area has undergone redevelopment, a cemetery containing the graves of at least 115 residents still remains. Winston-Salem’s Historic Resources Officer Isabel Coletti emphasized the importance of remembering Sidestown's legacy, stating that the marker program aims to identify the people who contributed to building the city and to ensure that cemeteries, even those in less visible locations, are remembered for their historical significance. ...
