The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-04-17

Roanoke has population of $4,000.
Its citizens are from nearly every State
in the Union. Eight years ago it had
GOO people. It's growth at present is on
more solid basis and more rapid than
ever before in it's history.
Roanoke is located at the junction of
the Shenandoah and Roanoke valleys.
It's altitude is GOT 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 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 in years
time open up the trade of the Carolinas
to this section. The Valley Branch of
the Baltimore and Ohio runs to LICKING
the connect ting link will be constructed
to Roanoke in short time.
The growth Of the 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 tho Roam
oke Machine Works, employing at pre-
sent 1,T00 hands, was established. Since
then millions of dollars have flowed
into the city in the establishment of
manufactures and other business enter
prises.
Coal and iron and the rich agricul-
tural lands of the section have con-
tributed to the growth.
Roanoke has sixty-fve miles of streets
and eight miles of street railway inside
the corporate limits. A dummy line OK
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 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
ease.
Light is furnished by the Gas Com
pany and tho Electric Light and Motor
Power Company.
The property valuation, according to
tho 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 S5,0CU,U00 over the previous
n nf
ent values are many millions in xcess
of those given.
There are four fine hotels-Hotel Roa-
noke, the Ponce de Leon, the Continen-
tai, and Hotel Felix-besides a number
of smaller ones. All of them arc
crowded and constantly turning away
guests.
Roanoke is well supplied with
BANKING FACILITIES,
The First National Bank has capital
Of 100000; the National Exchange
Bank, q capital of SlOO, 600; the Citizens
National Bank. capital OF 100000;
the Commercial National Bank, capt.
tai of 100000; tho Roanoke Trust, Loan
and Safe Deposit Company, a capital of
S250,000; the Traders Loan, Trust and
Deposit Company, capital of 100000;
the Fidelity Loan and Trust Company,
capital of 100000, and several private
banking concerns transact largo
financial business.
All the leading denominations have
churches in the city, and there are
a number of new churches going
up, with more soon to be started.
The Southern Methodist, Presbyterian
and Catholic churches have handsome
brick edifices. The Baptists are erect
ing fine church, and the Lutherans
will soon begin the erection of a $40, 900
structure. The Christian sect and
Northern Methodist churches also have
neat houses of worship. The city has a
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,ooO,oOO, pays out $685.
per month in wages to employees. About
$4,000 year is paid in the city for
wages.
Some of the important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
arc as follows:
Virginia Development Co. Z. d. .S5, 900, 900
Roanoke Machine Works lem
ploy l,600 men). ........... $500. 900
West End Iron Co. ......... 400, 1000
Crozer Steel and Iron Co... 500, 600
American Bridge Works. -. zoo, 900
Rifles Hydraulic Engine
Works. $4,000
Roanoke Canning Factory. ... $4,000
Roanoke Rolling Mills. 10000
Roanoke Spike Factory. $4,000
Roanoke Iron Co., consisting
Of 200 ton Furnace, Muck
Bar Mill and Plate Mill go. SOC, 900
General Repair Shops N. Sc
w. K. X. .................. ....
General Repair Shops Shonan-