The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-08-26

ROANOKE mas population OF over22,-
900. Its citizens are from nearly every
State in the Union. Eight years ago it
had 600 people. Its growth at present
Is on moro solid basis and moro rapid
than ever before in its history.
Roanoke is located at the junction OF
the Shenandoah and Roanoke valleys.
Its altitude is GOT feet and it is sur
rounded by rich agricultural and min
oral 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 tho junction of the Shen-
Andoah Valley and Norfolk and West
ern railroads, both trunk lines, and is
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 open up tho
trade of the Carolinas to this section
next fall. The Valley branch of the
Baltimore and Ohio runs to Lexington,
forty miles distant, and 4 road filling
the connecting link will be constructed
to Roanoke in short time.
The growth of tho city dates from
1882, when the headquarters of the Nor
folk and Western were removed hero
from Lynchburg, the Shenandoah Val
ley road was completed, and the Roam
oke Machine Works, employing at pre-
sent LII hands, was established. Since
then millions Of dollars have flowed
into tho Citv in tho nctnhl sbOo0nt Of
manufactures and other business enter
prises.
Coal and iron and the rich agricultu-
raj lands of the section have contribu-
ted to tho growth.
Roanoke has siXty-fivc miles of streets
and eight miles of street railway inside
the corporate limits. A dummy line
extends to Ninton, 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 the country. 1t is undoubtedly
specific for many forms of kidney dis
base.
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
100000, besides the railroad property
and the Roanoke Machine Works. The
increase in the value of realty was
about S5,oo0,0o0 over the previous
assessment OF four years ago; but pres
ant ua1Inc Doil1inpo in
of those given.
There are four fine hotels-Uotel Roa-
noke, the Ponce de Leon, the Continen-
tai, and Hotel FeliX-besdeS a number
of smaller ones. All of them are
crowded and constantly turning away
guests.
Roanoke is we'll supplied with
BANKING FACILITIES.
Tho First National Bank has a cap
Isal of 100000, with surplus Of
8lOO,0OO; the National Exchange
Bank a capital OF Sl00,000; the Citizens
National Bank capital Of 500, 600; the
numerical National Bank capital of
100000; the Roanoke Trust, Loan and
Safe Deposit Company capital OF
e250,000; the Traders Loan, Trust and
Deposit Company a capital Of 500, coo;
the Fidelity Loan and Trust Company q
capital Of S200,000; and several private
banking concerns transact large fnan-
cial business
The Roanoke Machine Works, with
capital OF $5,000,000, pays out Sos, ZOO
per month in wages TO employees. About
$4,000 600 year is paid in the city for
wages.
Some Of the important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
are as follows:
Roanoke Machine Works. SIS, 900, 900
West End Iron Co. .......... 500, 600
Grocer Steel and Iron Co. 800. 500, 900
American Bridge Works. $50. 200, ZOO
Rifles Hydraulic Engine
Works $4,000
Roanoke Canning Factory.... $4,000
Roanoke Rolling Mills....... 100000
Roanoke Spike Factory ...... $4,000
Roanoke Iron Co., consisting
of 20O-ton Furnace. Muck
Bar Mill and Plate MILL. 500, 900
Roanoke Brewery. rs, 900
Bridgewater Carriage Com
pany, of Roanoke. ...... $4,000
Gambill FIGURING Mill Co... $4,000
Roanoke Milling Company.... 25 600
Roanoke Gas and Water Co... ESQ.,
Roanoke Electric Light Co... $4,000
P. L. Terry Milling Co. ..... 25 900
Diamond Ice Co. 5000
Roanoke Ice Co. ......... $4,000
West End Brick and Tile
Works ................. 10000
Adams Bros. 81 Payne Brick
Observation-Disclosures. $4,000
Five planning mills. .......... 100, 600
Two tobacco factories. ....... $4,000
Two cigar factories. ........ 5000
One mattress factory. ....... $1,000