Greensboro, originally spelled Greensborough, was named for Major General Nathanael Greene, commander of the American forces at the battle for Guilford Court House on March 15, 1781. While the Americans lost this battle, it slowed Lord Cornwallis's British forces enough to allow the American forces to defeat them at the battle of Yorktown, where the British were forced to surrender on October 19, 1781 thus ending the American Revolutionary War. The original site of the Battle at Guilford Court House is now a national park open to the public.
Greensboro was established near the battlefield and the geographical center of Guilford County. As the county seat this made it more accessible to its citizens. The 42 acres that was to become the nucleus of our fair city was originally purchased for $98. Three north-south streets (Greene, Elm, Davie) were laid out intersecting with three east-west streets (Gaston, Market, Sycamore). The courthouse stood at the center of the intersection of Elm and Market streets. By 1821 Greensboro had 369 residents.
Today's Greensboro while firmly rooted in its colorful past is a vibrant modern city poised to become one of the jewels in North Carolina's crown. We are approximately three-hundred miles south of Washington D.C., three-hundred miles north of Atlanta, Georgia and five-hundred miles south of New York City.
Greensboro is the third largest city in North Carolina and the largest city in the area known as the Piedmont Triad, Greensboro's population currently stands at 244,610. The entire triad region encompasses an estimated 1,513,000 plus inhabitants. Perfectly positioned in the center of two main transportation arteries, Interstate 85, running north-south and Interstate 40 running east-west, Greensboro is quickly becoming a major distribution center. For years Greensboro has been the location of many corporate headquarters. This tradition continues today with companies like Honda Aircraft Company, Lorillard Tobacco Company, VF Corporation, Volvo Trucks of North America, RF Micro Devices , Fresh Market and the International Textiles Group to name a few.
Greensboro is home to seven of the ten colleges and universities that call the Triad home. With so many colleges and universities here we have a very active performing and visual arts community. Greensboro enjoys and supports a symphony orchestra, opera, ballet, community theatres and museums. The Gate City (Greensboro's nickname) is also home to the world famous Eastern Music Festival at Guilford College and the Miles Davis School of Jazz at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. A variety of concerts, plays, festivals and events are constantly available to pick from in our fair city. In addition, Greensboro's Coliseum Complex is a showcase for national and international recording artists, Broadway plays and sporting events, including ice hockey and basketball.
Baseball, tennis and golf are very popular sports with our residents. New Bridge Park is the sparkling, impressive new minor league baseball park and home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers. If golf is your game, Bryan Park (one of 19 public courses) is a popular public course. The upscale Grandover Resort & Spa's fabulous 36-hole course, set on 1500 magnificently manicured acres is another option. Or you may prefer joining one of the private country clubs. Greensboro has five to choose from, Greensboro Country Club, Sedgefield Country Club, Cardinal Country Club and Forest Oaks Country Club.
Parks and recreational facilities have always been important to Greensboro. Today the Greensboro Parks & Recreation Department has more than 3,500 acres of land and operates more than 170 parks and special facilities for the leisure enjoyment of our citizens.
As a melting pot of cultures and people, Greensboro is one of the most hospitable cities in the South. Hospitality in the South always involves food, the Gate City offers a wide variety of dining experiences, from haute cuisine to our simple but world famous barbecue, Greensboro has many great epicurean experiences waiting for you in restaurants like Marisol, Muse, Green Valley Grille, Undercurrent, P F Chang's, Flemings, Ruth's Chris, Rim and more. When it comes to shopping Greensboro is fortunate to have several venues with wonderful local specialty shops and national chain stores. Four Seasons Mall, Friendly Center and State Street are only three of many areas with stores like Macys, Belks, Abercrombie & Fitch, Brooks Brothers, Barnes & Noble, Sur la Table, Home Depot, Best Buy, Costco and Sam's Club. Greensboro offers great shopping for every need and pocket book!
Greensboro, North Carolina is located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, approximately three hundred miles south of Washington, D.C., three-hundred miles north of Atlanta, Georgia, and five-hundred miles south of New York City. With a population of approximately 220,000, Greensboro is a clean, attractive, medium-sized city. The city is home to six colleges and universities, including The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
The Triad as well as Greensboro is known for its wide array of cultural activities, including the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, the Eastern Music Festival, the UNCG Concert Series, the Greensboro Historical Association, Natural Science Center of Greensboro, Center for Creative Arts, Community Theatre, Greensboro Ballet, Bel Canto, Weatherspoon Art Gallery, Green Hill Art Gallery, Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill, the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro and the North Carolina School For The Performing Arts in Winston Salem.
If you are relocating to North Carolina or the Triad, Greensboro should certainly be at the top of your list of cities to live in. Centrally located in the state you can be at the coast or the mountains in a few hours by car. The capital city of Raleigh is only ninety miles away and Charlotte our largest city is only an hour and a half by car. Greensboro is a great city for many reasons, once you have visited us we are sure you will agree.
