Warnersville History

Warnersville, North Carolina was the first planned African American community in Greensboro and a catalyst for Black business and land ownership: 

• Founding

  In the 1860s, Yardley Warner, a Quaker from Pennsylvania, bought 35.5 acres of land south of Greensboro and sold it to freed slaves in plots. 

• Growth

  Warnersville grew into a close-knit community with homes, churches, schools, and businesses. Some of Greensboro's oldest congregations, like St. Matthews United Methodist Church and New Zion Baptist Church, are located in Warnersville. 

• Demolition

  In the 1960s, the federal Urban Renewal Program demolished most of Warnersville, including homes, the community's cemetery, and the historic school. 

• Recognition

  In 2015, Warnersville was recognized as Greensboro's first Heritage Community. The Greensboro History Museum also created a permanent exhibit about Warnersville's history.