The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-25

Roanoke has q population OF over22,-
600. Its citizens are from nearly every
State in the Union. Eight years ago it
had 600 people. It's growth at present
is on q more solid basis and moro rapid
than ever before in it's history.
Roanoke is located at the junction Of
the Shenandoah and Roanoke valleys.
Its altitude is 0O7 feet and it is sur
rounded by rich agricultural and min
eral country.
Roanoke is distant just eight hours
ride from Washing 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 open up the
trade of the Carolinas to this section
next fall. The Valley branch of the
Baltimore and Ohio runs to Lexington,
forty miles distant, and road filling
to Roanoke in short time.
The growth of the city dates from
1882, when the headq quarters of the Nor
folk and Western were removed here
from Lynchburg, the Shenandoah Val
ley road was completed, and the Roam
oke Machine Works, employing at pre-
sent IT., 0 hands, was es established. Since
then millions of dollars have flowed
into the city in the establishment of
e.
rrises.
Coal and iron and the rich agricultu-
raj lands of the section have contribu-
ted to tho growth.
Roanoke has siNsy-fve miles of streets
and eight miles OF street railway inside
the corporate limits. A dummy line
extends to Vinton, q distance of two
miles cast, 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 4 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 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
S0,000,0 900, besides the railroad property
and the Roanoke Machine Works. The
increase in tho value of realty was
about S5,0O0,000 over the previous
assessment of four years ago; but pres
cnt values arc many millions in excess
of those given.
There are four fine hotels-Hotel Roa-
noke, tho Ponce de Leon, the Continent
tai, and Hotel FeliX-besides a numb
of smaller ones. All of them arc
crowded and cons family turning away
guests.
Roanoke is we'll supplied with
BANKING FACILITIES.
The First National Bank has a cap
Rl00,O0O; tho National Exchange
Bank capital of 500, 900; the Citizens
National Bank capital of 500, OCO; the
CONNER cial National Bank a capital OF
500, 600; the Roanoke Trust, Loan and
Safe Deposit Company a capital OF
$3.50, 900; tho Traders Loan, Trust and
Deposit Company q capital OF 100000;
the Fidelity Loan and Trust Company a
capital Of 5000, 900; and several private
Banking concerns transact large iinan.
cial business.
The Roanoke Machine Works, with a
capital of $5,0O0,O0O, pays out S65, COO
per month in wages to employees. About
$4,000 year is paid in the city for
wages.
~ Some of the important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
Ire as follows
Roanoke Machine Works. SIS, ZOO, 600
West End Iron Co.. 500, 900
Grocer Steel and Iron Co. 800. 500, 600
American Bridge Works. 800. 200, 600
Rifles Hydraulic Engine
Works $4,000
Roanoke Canning Factory.... $4,000
Roanoke Rolling Mills. .... 2O0,0 900
Roanoke Spike Factory. ..... $4,000
Roanoke Iron Co., Consisting
OF a 200-ton Furnace, Muck
Bar Mill and Plate Mill.... 500, 900
Roanoke brewery. ......... $4,000
Bridgewater Carriage Com
pany, of Roanoke. ......... $4,000