The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-05

Roanoke has q population of over22,-
coo. It's citizens are from nearly every
State in the Union Eight years ago it
had 600 people. It's growth at present
Is on a moro solid basis and more rapid
than over before in its history.
Roanoke is located at the junction of
the Shenandoah and Roanoke valleys.
Its altitude is 9o7 feet and it is sur
rounded by rich agricultural and min
sral country.
Roanoke is distant just eight hours
ride from Washington and Norfolk, nine
from Baltimore, twelve from Philadel-
phia, and fourteen from New York. 1t
is situated at the junction OF the Shen-
Rndoah Valley and Norfolk and West
orn railroads, both trunk lines, and is
easily reached from any section of the
country.
The Roanoke and Southern railroad
"a now being built to this place from
Winston, N. c., and will open up the
trado of the Carolinas to this section
next fall. The Valley branch of the
Baltimore and Ohio runs to Lexington,
forty miles distant, and a road filling
the connecting link will be constructed
to Roanoke in a short time.
Tho growth OF the city dates from
1882, when the headquarters of the Nor
folk and Western were removed here
from Lynchburg, the Shenandoah Val
ley road was completed, ana the Roam
oke Machine Works, employing at pre-
gent 1, 7CO hands. was established. Since
then millions OF dollars have flowed
into the city in the establishment of
manufactures and other business enter
yprises.
Coal and iron and the rich agricultu-
raj lands Of the section havo contribu
sted to tho growth.
Roanoke has sixty We miles Of streets
and eight miles Of street railway inside
the corporate limits. A dummy line
extends to Vinton, Il distance Of two
miles east, and TO Salem, six miles
west. Throughout the city electricity,
IN q short time, will take the place OF
horses as motive power.
The water works are sufficient to fur
nish city Of $4,000 inhabitants. The
gupply comes from q pure, cold spring
that gushes from the side OF Mill Noun
tain, and is without equal in any city
IN the country. 1t is undoubtedly a
specific for many forms OF kidney dis
ease.
Light is furnished by the Gas Com
pany and the Electric Light and Motor
Power Company.
The property valuation, according to
the assessment of this year, is nearly
$4,000, coo, besides the railroad property
and the Roanoke Machine Works. The
increase in the value of realty was
about S5,0o0,0o0 over the previous
assessment of four years ago; but pres
ent values are many millions in excess
of those given.
There are four fine hottls-Hotcl Roa-
noke, the Ponce dc Leon, the Continent
tai, and Hotel Felix-bcsides Il number
OF smaller ones. All OF them are
crowded and constantly turning away
guests.
Roanoke is we'll supplied with
BANKING FACILITIES.
The First National Bank has a cap
ital OF 100000, with surplus oil
600, 900; the National Exchange
Bank a capital OF 100000; the Citizens
National Bank n capital OF 500, 000: the
Commercial National Bank capital OF
G1GO, 900; the Roanoke Trust, Loan and
Safe Deposit Company capital OF
$3.50. 600; the Traders Loan. Trust and
Deposit Company a capital Of 100000
she Fidelity Loan and Trust Company
capital of 100000 and several private
banking concerns transact large fnan
cial business
The Roanoke Machine Works, with &
capital OF S5,000,0O0. pays out S65, GOT
per month in wages 20 Employees. Abou
IS 100000 year is paid il the city fol
wages.
Some OF the important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
gre as follows:
Roanoke Machine Works. -. ga, 900, O0t
West End Iron Co. ... 500, OO(
Grocer Steel and Iron Co...... 500, O0t
American Bridge Works. ..... 200, OO(
Rifles Hydraulic Engine
Works ................... $4,000
Roanoke Canning Factory.. 80, Oo(
Roanoke Rolling Mills. ...... 200, OOC
Roanoke Spike Factory 49,. $4,000
Roanoke Iron Co., consisting
of 4 20O-ton Furnace Muck
Bar Mill and Plate Mill. -. 500. O0C
Roanoke Brewery. .......... $4,000
Bridgcwater Carriage Com
pany, of Roanoke. ......... $4,000
Gambill FIGURING Mill Co. .... 10000
Roanoke Milling Company.... Is OoO
Roanoke Gas and Water Co... 100000
Roanoke Electric Light Co.. 10000
=. l.. Terry Milling Co.. . $4,000
Diamond Ice Co... $4,000