The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-01

Roanoke has a population of $4,000.
Its citizens are from nearly every State
in the Union. Eight years ago it had
GOO people. Its growth at present is on
a 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 q 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-
ern railroads, both trunk lines, and is
easily reached from any section of tho
country.
The Roanoke and Southern railroad
is now being built to this place from
Winston, N. c., and will in q 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 filling
the connecting link will be constructed
to Roanoke in n short time.
The growth of tho city dates from
1882, when the headquarters of the Nor
folk and Western wero removed here
from Lynchburg, the Shenandoah Val
ley road was completed, and the Roam
oke Machine Works, employing at pre-
sent roo hands, was established. Since
then millions of dollars have flowed
into tho city in tho 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-fvo miles of streets
and eight miles of street railway inside
the corporate limits. A dummy line ex-
tends to Vinton, adistance of two miles
east, and to Salem, six miles west.
Throughout the city electricity, in n
short time, will take the place Of horses
as motive power.
The water works are sufficient to fur
nish a city of so, 600 inhabitants. The
supply comes from a pure, cold spring
tina gushes from tho 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
case.
Light is furnished by tho Gas Com
pany and the Electric Light and Motor
Power Company.
The property valuation, according to
the assessment of this year, is nearly
$4,000, 900, besides the railroad property
and the Roanoke Machine Works Tho
increase in the value of realty was
about SIS, 1000, 900 over the previous
assessment Of -four years ago; but pres
ent values arc many millions in excess
of those given.
There are four fine hotels-Hotel Roa-
nokc, the Ponce de Leon, the Continent
tai, and Hotel FeliX-besides q number
crowded and constantly turning away
guests.
Roanoke is well supplied with
BANKING FACILITIES,
The First National Bank has q capital
of $500, 600; the National Exchange
Bank, a capital of 500, 900; tho Citi-
zen's Bank, a capital of S5O,oOO; the
Commercial National Bank, a capital of
500, 900; the Roanoke Trust, Loan and
Safe-Dcposit Company, a capital ofS1OO,-
600; the Traders Loan, Trust and De-
post Company, q capital of S10O, 600;
the Fidelity Loan and Trust Company,
and several private banking concerns,
transact a largo financial business.
All the leading denominations have
churches in the city, and there are
o number of To- 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 q 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 u
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 IS, OOO, 600, pays out SG5, 600
per month in wages to employees. About
$5,000,0 900 q year is paid in the city for
wages.
Some of the important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
are as follows:
Roanoke Machine Works (em-
ploy 1,600 mem ........ 81, 900, 900
Virginia Development Co... 5000, 900
West End Iron Co........... 400, 900
Grocer Steel and Iron Co...... 500, 600
American Bridge Works...... 200, 600
Rifles Hydraulic Engine
Works. $4,000
Roanoke Canning Factory. SO, 900
Roanoke Rolling Mills....... 70, 1000
Roanoke Spike Factory....... SO, 1000
Roanoke Iron Co., consisting
of a 200 ton Furnace, Muck
Bar Mill and Plate MILL. 10000
General Repair Shops N. Sc
w. r. R.. .....,..
General Repair Shops Shenan-
doah Valley Railroad. ..... ........
Roanoke Brewery $4,000