The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-29
ROANOKE THE MAGIC CITY.
The Story of Its Growth Boiled
Down.
what Roanoke Has Done and What She
is Still Doing--Notwithstandin the
Close Money Market SIT ,OOO, 900 in I'M
proyements Already in Sight---The
Population, Industries and Advant-
ages of the Wonder of the Valley.

Roanoke has population of over 49,
GOO. It's citizens are from nearly every
State in the Union. Eight years ago it
had GOO people. Its growth at present
is on more solid basis and more rapid
than over before in its history.
Roanoke is located at the junction of
the Shenandoah and Roanoke valleys.
It's 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
forty miles distant, and road filling
the connecting link will be constructed
to Roanoke in 4 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
olc Machine Works, employing at pre-
sent 1,T,0 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 agricultu-
raj lands of the section have contribu-
ted to The growth.
Roanoke has siXty-five miles Of streets
and eight miles Of street railway inside
tho corporate limits. A dummy line
extends to Vinton, Il 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.
The water works are sufficient to fur
nish 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 tho country. 1t is undoubtedly n
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
$4,000, 900, besides the railroad property
and the Roanoke Machine Works The
increase in the value of realty was
about 100000 over the previous
assessment of four years ago; but pres
cnt values are many millions in excess
of those given.
There are four fine hotels-Hote Roa-
noke the Ponce dc Leon, the Continen-
tai, and Hotel FeliX-besides number
of smaller ones. All of them arc
crowded and constantly turning away
guests.
Roanoke is we'll supplied with
BANKING FACILITIES.
The First National Bank has cap
ital Of 100000 the National Exchange
Bank capital of 500, 900: the Citizens
National Bank Il capital of 500, 900; the
Commercial National Bank 4 capital of
Sl00,000; the Roanoke Trust, Loan and
Safe Deposit Company capital of
S250,000: the Traders Loan, Trust and
Deposit Company Il capital Of 500, 900;
the Fidelity Loan and Trust Company
capital of $500, COG; and several private
banking concerns transact large finan-
cial business.
Tho Roanoke Machine Works, with a
capital Of So, 100000, pays out sos, 900
per month in wages to employees About
5000, 600 a year is paid in the city for
wages.
Some of the important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
are as follows:
Roanoke Machine Works. 50, 900, 900
West End Iron Co. ......... 500, 900
Grocer Steel and Iron Co... 500, 600
American Bridge Works...... 200, 600
Rifles Hydraulic Engine
Works Observation-Disclosures. $4,000
Roanoke Canning Factory. -. $4,000
Roanoke Rolling Mills. ..... 200, 600
Roanoke Spike Factory. ...... $4,000
Roanoke Iron Co., consisting
Of 200-ton Furnace. Muck
Bar Mill and Plate MILL. 500, 900
Roanoke brewery. ........... $4,000
Bridgcwatcr Carriage Com
pany, of Roanoke. ... $4,000
Gambill FIGURING Mill Co... 10000
Roanoke Milling Company. -. $4,000
Roanoke Gas and Water Co. 100000
Roanoke Electric Light Co... 50,00O
II. l.. Terry Milling Co. ....... $4,000
diamond Ice Co. $4,000