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Kernersville began as a crossroads tavern settlement: an Irishman named Caleb Story settled here in 1756, and around 1770 William Dobson bought the land and ran an inn at what was called Dobson's Crossroads, where George Washington stopped for breakfast in 1791. Joseph Kerner, a German immigrant, bought the property in 1817, the crossroads took his name, and after the railroad arrived the town was incorporated as Kernersville in 1873.
Its most famous landmark is Korner's Folly, an eccentric house completed in 1880 by designer Jule Körner, with 22 rooms on seven levels, unusual ceilings and doorways, and a tiny private theater added in 1896. The South Main Street historic district, the restored 1873 train depot and the Kernersville Museum keep the town's history close at hand.
Today Kernersville is the largest suburb of Winston-Salem, but it keeps a friendly small-town feel. The Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden blooms in the middle of town, Triad Park offers trails and open lawns, and the Honeybee Festival celebrates the town each year.
An eccentric 22-room house built in 1880 by designer and painter Jule Korner, with no two doorways alike, ceilings from under seven feet to 25 feet, and painted murals. It also holds what is thought to be the first private little theater in America. Guided tours run on set days; check before visiting.
A Moravian congregation founded in the 1860s with a historic brick church and an old God's Acre graveyard, where Moravian tradition places simple flat stones in even rows. It is part of the region's long Moravian heritage. Visitors may walk the graveyard respectfully; check service times for church visits.
A historic railroad depot near downtown that recalls the town's railroad era, when rail lines connected Kernersville's tobacco and furniture trades. It now serves as a community and event space. It is a short stop on a downtown walk; look at the exterior and the nearby historic buildings.
A local history museum near downtown that covers Kernersville from its early days as a crossroads called Dobson's Crossroads through its growth as a market town, with photos, artifacts and changing exhibits. It also leads walking tours. Admission is free; opening hours are limited.
A tree-lined stretch of South Main Street with 1800s and early 1900s homes in Federal, Victorian and Craftsman styles, along with Korner's Folly. It shows how the town looked during its growth years. It is a pleasant walk from downtown; the homes are private, so view them from the sidewalk.
A free public garden on Kernersville's main road with a large lawn, formal gardens, a kitchen garden, a children's garden and a conservatory, plus seasonal displays. It hosts events and plant sales. It is open year-round; spring and autumn are especially colorful, and it suits a short peaceful stop.
A large park jointly run by Forsyth and Guilford counties at Kernersville's eastern edge, with walking trails, a disc golf course, fishing ponds, a dog park, picnic shelters and an amphitheater for summer concerts. It is free to visit. Parking is easy, and the open fields are good for kites and picnics.
A town park near downtown Kernersville with a playground, a small lake, picnic shelters, a walking trail and a pavilion. It is a relaxed place for families and a short stroll after visiting downtown. Restrooms and parking are available; weekday mornings are the quietest time.
A family festival in Kernersville celebrating honeybees and beekeeping, with honey vendors, observation hives, educational talks, crafts, food and children's activities. It is a good chance to learn about pollinators and buy local honey. Check the date and venue each year, as they can change.
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North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
Photo: Upstateherd, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Pubdog, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ceh2624, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Upstateherd, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ceh2624, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Ceh2624, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Ceh2624, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Ceh2624, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Ceh2624, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Pubdog, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ceh2624, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Government & Heritage Library, State Library of NC from Raleigh, NC, United Stat, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Upstateherd, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Pubdog, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
