The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-04-02


ever before in its history.
Roanoke is located at the junction of
the Shenandoah and Roanoke valleys.
Its altitude is GOT 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 in years
time open up tho trade Of the Carolinas
to this section. The Valley Branch Of
the Baltimore and Ohio runs to LICKING
ton, forty miles distant,and road filing
the connecting link will be constructed
to Roanoke in short time.
Tho growth of tho 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 tho Roam
oke Machine Works. employing at pre-
sent l ZOO hands, was established. Since
then millions of dollars have flowed
into tho city in the establishment OF
manufactures and other business enter
prises.
Coal and iron and the rich agricul-
tural lands of tho 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 tho city electricity, in a
short time. will take the place OF horses
as motive power.
Tho water works are sufficient to fur
nish a city Of $4,000 Inhabitants. The
supply comes from n pure, cold spring
that gushes from tho side of Mill noun
tain, and is without equal in any city
in tho 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.
Tho property valuation, according to
the assessment of this year, is nearly
50, O0O,0 900, besides the railroad property
and the Roanoke Machine Works Tho
increase in the value Of realty was
about S5,000,000 over tho previous
assessment Of four years ago; but pres
emit values are many millions in xccss
of those given.
There are four fine hotels-IIotel Roa-
noke, tho Ponce dc Leon, tho Continen-
tai, and Hotel Fclix-bcsides q number
of smaller ones. All of them are
crowded and constantly turning away
guests.
Roanoke is we'll supplied with
RANKING FACULTIES,
The First National Bank has a capital
of $l00,000; the National Exchange
Bank, a capital OF $1,000 the Citizens
National Bank. capital OF $780, 900;
the Commercial National Bank, a capt.
tai of 100000; the Roanoke Trust, Loan
and Safe Deposit Company, O capital OF
$780, 900; tho Traders Loan, Trust and
Deposit Company, capital OF 500, 900;
tho Fidelity Loan and Trust Company,
capital OF 5000, 900, and several private
banking concerns transact a largo
financial business.
All the leading denominations have
churches in the city, and there are
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 tho Lutherans
will soon begin the erection of $40, 900
structure. Tho Christian sect and
Northern Methodist churches also have
neat houses Of worship. Tho city has q
number of excellent public and private
schools.
There are three fro companies. with
$50 members and modern equipments.
The Roanoke Machine Works, with a
capital of S5,00O,O 900, pays out Sos, 900
per month in wages to employees. About
$4,000 600 year is paid in the city for
wages.
Some Of the important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
are as follows:
Roanoke Machine Works lem
ploy 1000 mem ........... s., 900, 900