Kernersville History
Past, Present & Future
History is not just a mandatory school subject in Kernersville. It is the rich rootstock that is kept alive and growing as hundreds of volunteers donate thousands of hours each year to restore, retrace, and record the town’s rich legacy.
“We have to know where we’ve been,” said Barbara Bull, chairman of the Depot Restoration Committee, “to know where we are going.”
In 2006, restoration was completed on the original 1873 Southern Railway Company Depot. The railway was a significant boon to early Kernersville as it brought both people and industry to the town. Kernersville still has a rail system and it is still vital to the local economy. The Depot, as an education center, helps link the present with the future and the past.
Rewinding to the beginning of the town’s history, we find Joseph Körner (Kerner), the town’s namesake founder. He purchased the crossroads property (now Main Street and Mountain Street) because he realized it had unprecedented long-term economic value.
In short, the property was acquired in 1756 by Caleb Story as an original land grant from the English Royal Colony of Carolina. The land then passed to David Morrow, before being acquired by William Dobson. Dobson added to the acreage and improved the property by building an inn and a store at the crossroads.
However, Kernersville really inherited its tenacious spirit from Körner, who purchased the crossroads in 1817. Körner, originally from Germany, built his fortune in America through business and real estate transactions. When he finally settled in Kernersville, he had a plan.
In his brief 13 years, between the time he arrived and his untimely death in 1830, he had successfully owned and operated a hotel-tavern and store, managed a plantation, manufactured hardware, and operated a mill. He left a legacy of order, thrift, prosperity, and tolerance.
True to this pattern, Kernersville has continued to become what it needs to be. As the early population grew and homes were needed, houses were raised up out of the red mud that they sit on today. Many of these homes and businesses still stand in the two designated Historic Districts, including Körner’s Folly, the home of Körner’s grandson, Jule Gilmer Körner. As much as Joseph Körner contributed to the industry of the town, Jule and his family lavished the town with art and theatre.
When churches (1830s) and schools (1850s) were needed the people of Kernersville made it happen. As business and agriculture prospered, Kernersville aggressively sought its share of the market by gaining direct railway (1873) and Interstate access (1950s).
By 1938, Kernersville had its own voice — the Kernersville News — which publishes the voice of this citizen-driven community.
Years later, as demand for light manufacturing increased while agriculture decreased, Kernersville made the change seamlessly. And even today, Kernersville is approaching the future with a plan and a willingness to embrace change.
The plan — Kernersville 2020 Strategic Plan — looks 20 years into the future. It will ensure that as history is being recorded everyday, that Kernersville will always be proud of its yesterdays.
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- Welcome from the Chamber
- Letter of Introduction
- Demographics and Services
- Government
- Location and Transportation
- History
- Tourism
- Arts and Entertainment
- Real Estate
- Retirement
- Parks and Recreation
- Education
- Shopping
- Business and Industry
- Healthcare
- Worship
- Participating Advertisers
- Kernersville North Carolina Map
- Kernersville, NC Chamber Website
