By state law, people of African ancestry had to worship and be buried apart from people of European ancestry. The little African-American Graveyard in front of St. Philips Church was neglected, but has been restored to its simple dignity. A few original stones remain: Squire, above, had a stone just like the ones in God’s Acre, because, African or European, slave or free, all are equal in death. Most of the unmarked graves have now been marked with square flat stones in the Moravian manner.
An extraordinarily broad arch surrounded by marble (which might have been a later remodeling) is the most distinctive feature of this building. Upstairs looks like a fine place for a small ballroom.
Built in 1965 as a dormitory for Salem College, this building was carefully matched to the surrounding Old Salem architecture. Compare, for example, the Single Sisters’ House.
Tobacco leaves are a prominent feature in the Art Deco ornaments on the Pepper Building, built as a department store in 1928. The architects were Winston-Salem’s stars Northup & O’Brien. It is now a Hotel Indigo.
The back of the building was once partly covered by another building demolished years ago. It looks as though another building will finally replace the demolished one. Meanwhile, the painted “PEPPER BUILDING” sign is still visible on the back; part of the one on the side was obscured by what appears to be a new structure for elevators.
Two of the oldest houses in Old Salem, built in 1768.
