The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-04-30

ROANOKE has population OF 32 900.
Its citizens are from nearly every State
in tho Union. Eight years ago it had
600 people. Its growth at present is on
moro solid basis and more rapid than
ever before in its history.
Roanoke is located at tho junction of
the Shenandoah and Roanoke valleys.
Its altitude is 9O7 feet and it is sur
rounded by rich agricultural and min
'eral 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 tho Shen-
andoah Valley and Norfolk and West
ern railroads, both trunk lines, and iss
easily reached from any section Of the
country.
The Roanoke and Southern railroad
Is now being built to this place from
Winston, n. c., and will in years
time open up tho trade of the Carolinas
to this section. The Valley Branch of
the Baltimore and Ohio runs to Licking
ton, forty miles distant. and q road filing
the connecting link will be constructed
to Roanoke in a short time.
Tho growth of tho city dates from
1852, whom the headquarters of the Nor
folk and Western were removed here
from Lynchburg, the Shenandoah Val
ley road was completed, and the Roam
oko Machine Works. employing at pre-
sent ], roo hands, was established. Since
then millions of dollars have flowed
into tho city in the establishment of
ms II fo n I'm nd nj
prises.
Coal and iron and tho rich agricul-
tural lands of the section have con-
tributed to the growth.
Roanoke has siXty-five miles Of streets
and eight miles of street railway inside
the corporate limits. a dummy line ex-
tends to Vinton, distance of two miles
east. and to Salem, six miles west.
Throughout the city electricity, in
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
supply comes from a pure, cold spring
that guShes from the side of Mill noun
tain, and is without equal in any city
in tho country. 1t is undoubtedly
specific for many forms of kidney dis
ease.
Light is furnished by tho Gas Com
pany and the Electric Light and Motor
Power Company.
The property valuation, according to
the assessment Of this year, is nearly
50, O0O,000, besides the railroad property
and the Roanoke Machine Works The
increase in the value of realty was
about S5,0GU,U10 over the previous
assessment of four years ago; but pres
cnt values are many millions in xcess
of those given.
There arc four fine hotels-Hotel Roa-
noke, the Ponce de Leon, the Continent
tai, and Hotel Fclix-bcsides a 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 capital
OF $l00,000; the National Exchange
Bank, a capital of 500, 900; the Citizens
National Bank, a capital of 500, 600;
the Commercial National Bank, a CAPT
tai of 100000; the Roanoke Trust, Loan
and Safe Deposit Company, a capital of
$3.50, 900; the Traders Loan, Trust and
Deposit Company, capital of 500, 900;
the Fidelity Loan and Trust Company,
capital of 100000, and several private
banking concerns transact a large
financial business.
All the leading denominations have
churches in the city, and there are
number of new churches going
up, with more soon to be started
The Southern Methodist, Prcsby tcrian
and Catholic churches have handsome
brick edifices. The Baptists are erect
ing fine church. and the Lutherans
will soon begin the erection of $40, 900
structure. The Christian sect and
Northern Methodist churches also have
neat houses of worship. The city has q
number of excellent public and private
schools.
There are three fire companies, with
$50 members and modern equipments.
The Roanoke Machine Works, with a
capital OF S5,000,00O, pays out S65, 900
per month in wages to employees. About
S5.000,00O year is paid in the city for
wages.
Some Of the important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
are as follows:
Virginia Development Co. d. d. . .s5 200, 600
Roanoke Machine Works lem
ploy 1000 men). .......... $500. 600
West End Iron Co. ........... 400, 600
NrOZcr OIecl anu ITOH 20. 3OU, 0OU
American Bridge Works. ..... 10000
Rifles Hydraulic Engine
Works. $4,000
Roanoke Canning Factory. $4,000
Roanoke Rolling Mills. 49,. 10000
Roanoke Spike Factory. $4,000
Roanoke Iron Co., consisting
of a 200 ton Furnace, Muck
Bar Mill and Plate MILL. 5Oo,oo
General Repair Shops N. &c
w. r. r..
General Repair Shops Shcnan-