The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-31

improvements to be Made In 1901.
Roanoke has population of $4,000.
Its citizens arc from nearly every State
in the Union. Eight years ago it had
600 people. Its growth at present is on
more solid basis and more 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 ana Norfolk and West
ern railroads, both trunk lines, and isl
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
ton, forty miles distant,and a road filing
the connecting link will be constructed
to Roanoke in short timc.
The growth of the city dates from
1882, when tho headquarters of tho 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 100 hands, was established. Since
then millions of dollars have flowed
into tho city in the establishment of
manufactures and other business enter
priscs.
Coal and iron and the 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. dummy line ex-
tends to Vinton, a distance of two miles
east, and to Salem, six miles west
Throughout the city electricity, in a
short time, will take the place of horses
as motive power.
Tho water works arc sufficient to fur
nish a city of $4,000 inhabitants. Tho
supply comes from pure, cold spring
that gushes fgom 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
tho assessment Of this year, is nearly
So, 100000, 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
n va n n rr.r -,
of those given.
There are four fine hotels-Hotel Roa-
nolIe, the Ponce de Leon, tho Continen-
tai, and Hotel FeliX-besides 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 CAPITAL
Of Sl00,OOO; the National Exchange
Bank, capital Of 500, 600; the Citizens
National Bank. capital of $780, 900;
the Commercial National Bank, CAPT
tai of SlOO,O0O the Roanoke Trust, Loan
and Safe Deposit Company, a capital of
$3.50, 900; the Traders Loan, Trust and
Deposit Company, a capital of 500, 600;
the Fidelity Loan and Trust Comps
capital of 100000, and several private
banking concerns transact a 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
m af G.
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
capital of S5,000,000, pays out $4,000
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:
Roanoke Machine Works lem
ploy 1000 mcn) ........... 50, 900, 900
Virginia development Co... 100000
west End Iron Co. ........... 100000
Grocer Steel and Iron Co. So. 500, 900
American Bridge Works. 800. 100000
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. $780, 900
General Repair Shops N. &