Before the textile boom of the late 19th century, Greensboro was a quiet Piedmont town. The first steam-operated cotton mill began production in 1833, but real growth in textiles began after the Civil War. Textiles are a major part of the economy but are supplemented by tobacco, electronics products and insurance. Greensboro also benefits from proximity to Winston-Salem and High Point, with all three forming an urban triangle.
Greensboro was home to several prominent Americans including William Sydney Porter (O. Henry), whose short stories are American classics. Porter's legacy was carried on by another Greensboro native, Wilbur Daniel Steele, winner of the O. Henry Prize for such works as "They Know Not What They Do" and "Can't Cross Jordan." Dolley Madison, wife of President James Madison, also was a native of the Greensboro area.
The War Memorial Auditorium and Coliseum offers exhibitions, sports events and shows. The Eastern Music Festival, a 6-week series of classical music concerts featuring internationally known guest artists, is held at Guilford College from late June to early August.
Cotton Mill Square, at Spring Garden and Merritt drives, is a restored cotton mill now featuring retail stores, The Gallery, The Guilds and two exhibition halls. Antiques and collectibles can be found in the 20,000-square-foot area of The Gallery, while at The Guilds the works of more than 140 Southeastern craftsmen and artists are featured.
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