High Point History, North Carolina

High Point, NC US - History: City Known for A Galore Of Quality Furniture

Incorporated in 1859, Highpoint was named because it is the highest point on North Carolina railways between Charlotte and Goldsboro. Highpoint has many things to offer to the tourists and that is the reason they are always eager to find the rich regional history, shopping selections and cultural events. Due to its strong historical background and industrial growth, it draws visitors from over 110 countries and 50 states.

The industrial history of Highpoint dates back to the late nineteenth century. It was in the year 1889, when industries started producing furniture. By July, it started exporting the same to many other countries. Due to continuous supply of high quality lumber and availability of a strong market, the growth of the industry was pushed forward. The first formal market was held in 1909 and it soon became a very strong regional event.

The Furniture Explosion Building was opened in 1921. At that time, the cost of building was about $1 million. It occupies 249,000 square feet of area. However, with the attack of Japan on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and the entry of the US into the war, labor for the furniture industry was reduced. Most of them had to turn for the war. The industry was put on hold.

In 1950, the Wren wing was added. It was during the same decade when ‘in-between’ markets started emerging. During the early sixties, the scope and size of the market started surpassing their numerical figures obtained in the previous years. It maintained a strong hold in the market in the next two decades too. 1n 1960, organizers in other parts of Highpoint started bidding for the national market. In 1989, the Southern Market was renamed as International Home Furnishing Market. It occupied 7 million square feet of space and employed 50,000 people.

In the early 1990s, the construction boom started adding millions of square feet of areas under its name. The IHFC opened its 12th floor in 2001, which added another 3.4 million square feet of space under its name. The market organizers approached the General assembly to support them for the trade show.

In 2005, a new transportation tunnel was opened, which allowed the visitors to shuttle every event and showroom. In the same year, their own website added an online marketing tool and allowed the visitors to select the events and showrooms without queuing up.