It seemed to his wife, now Mrs. J. Edward Johnston, that a memorial of this kind was very fitting, as Mr. Reynolds had had such a large part and was so interested in the development of this city.

Mrs. Johnston had wanted to erect some really worth while memorial personally, and when notified of the action of the city authorities, it seemed that this plant, which would be so closely identified with the life of the people, young and old, presented the opportunity for which she was looking.

They were designed in the late 1910s by architect Charles Barton Keen of Philadelphia and built as part of a single project.

Construction on the School began in 1919, under the direction of Reynolda House architect Charles Barton Keen.

[3] R. J. Reynolds has won the following North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) team state championships:[6]