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History of Stokes - How It All Began
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Stokes County was formed in 1789 and named for Colonel John Stokes, a member of the revolutionary army. Stokes was a prisoner of war from 1780 – 1783 and after his release on May 1, President George Washington appointed him United States Judge for the District of Western North Carolina.
When Stokes County was formed in 1789, there were many large plantations throughout the county and the major task was to produce enough grain, meat, fruit and fiber to survive. Whatever was left over was sold or bartered. Early on, a small quantity of tobacco was being grown for home use and for sale.
As the years passed, the population grew from 8,528 in 1790 to 16,196 in 1830. The only place for these later settlers was in the foothills and along the ridges of the Sauratown Mountains. Thus the farm size became smaller and more emphasis was placed on cash crops.
The first major industry to develop was mining and iron making. Iron ore and limestone were found throughout the County and the most famous iron works in Stokes was the Tunnel Bloomery Forge, built in 1843. The operation eventually became known as the Moratock Mining and Manufacturing Company. The Moratock Iron Furnace (hyperlink) still stands today, a true testament to its superb creation.
While the iron industry was at its peak, there was another industry beginning to grow - the manufacturing of tobacco products - chewing tobacco, twist and plug. By 1841, Stokes County was the second largest producer of tobacco products in North Carolina.
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