IBM Almost Chose Manassas Over Research Triangle Park

A new book about Research Triangle Park reveals that IBM was nearly swayed to build its campus in Manassas, Virginia instead of North Carolina. The park's history has been extensively documented in various books and publications, but this revelation is a significant departure from the expected narrative.

The decision to locate the IBM campus in North Carolina ultimately came down to Virginia's stance on desegregation following the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. Manassas was the largest contender for the IBM campus, with 1,000 employees planned for the facility, over half of whom would be local residents.

The fact that Virginia's massive resistance to integration played a significant role in IBM's decision is a notable aspect of the story. According to the book, the last segregated school in Manassas remained open until 1966.