The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-04-15

improvements to be Made In 1901.
Roanoke has population of $4,000.
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 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. It
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 a years
time open up the trade of tho Carolinas
to this section. The Valley Branch Of
the Baltimore and Ohio runs to Lexing-
ton, forty miles distant, and road filling
the connecting 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 ZOO 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 limo ex-
tends 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 city of $4,000 inhabitants. Tho
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 q
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
1000, 900, besides the railroad property
and the Roanoke Machine Works The
increase in the value of realty was
about S5,oG0,Uo0 over tho previous
assessment of four years ago; but pres
ent values are many millions in xcess
of those given.
There are four fine hotels-Hotel Roa-
noke, the Ponce de Leon, tho Continent
tai, and Hotel Felix-besides number
OF smaller ones. All of them are
crowded and constantly turning away
guests.
Roanoke is we'll supplied with
BANKING FACILITIES,
The First National Bank has capital
of S10O,OOO; the National Exchange
Bank, capital of S1OO, 600; the Citizens
National Bank, capital of 500, 900;
the Commercial National Bank, CAPT.
tai of $500, 900; the Roanoke Trust, Loan
and Safe Deposit Company, capital of
S25O,O0O; the Traders Loan, Trust and
Deposit Company, capital Of 100000;
the Fidelity Loan and Trust Company,
a capital of 100000, and several private
banking concerns transact q large
financial business.
All the leading denominations have
churches in the city, and there are
a number of new churches going
up, with moro 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 $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 S5,000,000, pays out $685.
per month in wages to employees. About
$4,000, ZOO year is paid in the city for
wages.
Some Of the important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
are as follows:
Virginia Development Co. S5, 1000, 900
Roanoke Machine Works (em-
ploy 1,600 mem ............ 1900. 600
West End Iron Co. ... 100000
Grocer Steel and Iron Co... 100000
American Bridge Works. ... 200, 900