Richard Joshua Reynolds Equestrian Memorial Statue ~ Corner of 190 North Main Street

Located on the corner of Main and Second Street.

Richard Joshua Reynolds was the founder of the RJR Tobacco company. He was born at Rock Spring Plantation near Critz, Patrick County, Virginia. He was the youngest of two sons. His father, Captain Hardin William Reynolds, served in the Revolutionary war. The substantial Reynolds family plantation grew, manufacturered and sold tobacco. Richard entered into a partnership with his father July 1873. A year later at 24, he left his family in Virginia for various family reasons along with the growing need of flue-cured tobacco and railroad connections, young Richard traveled further south of Patrick County to locate a town which could provide both for the family business.

Richard purchsed his first building in Winston on October 19, 1874, a 100 foot lot on Depot Street to manufactured Southern flat plug chewing tobacco. 

You will see and hear more about Richard Reynolds throughout our town. He made an immense impack on it's growth and recognition. His legacy will live on.

The creators of the sculpture were designer Joseph King, foundry Johnson Atelier and sculpturor Earline Heath King. The sculpture is made from granite and bronze. The dedication took place on June 25, 1979.

*Interesting fact: The unveiling of the equestion statue was the first public art work of 66 years old, Earline Heath King. Born and raised in Winston, Mrs. King attended Reynolds High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Joseph King, the designer/ artist of the memorial, at 16 years old. They kept it a secret from their parents until they went to college. They both performed on vaudeville before moving back to Winston. She took up sculpting in the mid 1960s as a hobby. Mrs. King created 345 sculptures by commission over her life's career. Each piece she signed as "HK". She passed away at 98 years old on June 27, 2011. 

*This concludes your first "Talk".

If you are following our walk, proceed to your right to the tall 2 story brick building at the opposite end of this block. You will see two tall Magnolia trees, City Hall. Stop 2 of your tour.