The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-18

Roanoke has popu lation of over22,-
GOO. Its citizens are from nearly every
State in the Union Eight years ago it
had 600 people. Its growth at present
is on more 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 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 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
the connecting link will be constructed
to Roanoke in a short time.
The 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, and the Roam
oke Machine Works, employing at pre-
sent 100 hands, was established. Since
then millions of dollars have flowed
N thn rity n tho n hi : rf
manufactures and other business enter.
Prises
Coala iron and the rich agricultu-
raj lands Of the section have contribu-
ted to the growth.
Roanoke has sixty live miles of streets
and eight miles of street railway inside
tho corporate limits. A dummy line
extends to Vinton, distance of two
miles east, and to Salem, six miles
west. Throughout the city electricity,
in short time. will take tho place of
horses as motive power.
The water works are sufficient to fur
nish a 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 Il
specific for many forms of kidney dis
case.
Light is furnished by the Gas Com
pany and the Electric Light and Motor
Power Company.
The property valuation, according 20
the assessment of This year, is nearly
So, 900, 900, besides the railroad property
increase in the value of realty was
about $j,O00,0C0 over the previous
assessment OF four years ago; but pres
ent values are many millions in excess
Of those given.
There are four fine hotes-Hotel Roa-
noke, the Ponce de Leon, the Contincn-
tai, and Hotel FeliX-besides a number
Of smaller ones. All of them. are
crowded and constantly turning away
guests.
Roanoke is well supplied with
BANKING FACILITIES
The First National Bank has a cap
ital of 100000, with surplus OF
Sl00,000: the National Exchange
IL INK q CAPITAL of 500, 0O0 the Citizens
National Bank Il capital OF 500, OC0: the
Com mercial National Bank capital OF
SlC0,OOO; the Roanoke Trust, Lodn and
Safe Deposit Company a capital OF
$3.50, 900: the Traders Loan, Trust and
Deposit Company Il capital of $1,000
She Fidelity Loan and Trust Company a
~ u
banking concerns transact a large linan-
cial business.
The Roanoke Machine Works, with a
capital of 5000 600, pays out S65, zoo
per month in wages to employees. About
s., 100000 year is paid in the city for
wages.
Some of the important
MANUFAcruRING PLANTS
are as follows:
Roanoke Machine Works. e. E. ga, 900, 600
West End Iron Co. 500, 600
Grocer Steel and Iron Co...... 500, 900
American Bridge Works. w 200, 900
Rifles Hydraulic Engine
Works 10000
Roanoke Canning Factory... 10000
Roanoke Rolling Mills....... 200. 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
Gambill FIGURING Mill Co.. $4,000
Roanoke Milling Company. -. 25, 900