The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-08-09

Roanoke has population of over22,-
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 ever before in it's history.
Roanoke is located at the junction OF
the Shenandoah and Roanoke valleys.
Its altitude is 9O7 feet and it is sur
rounded by a 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
Baltimore and Ohio runs to Lexington,
forty miles distant, and road filling
the connecting link will be constructed
to Roanoke in short time.
The growth of the city dates from
1852, when the headquarters Of the Nor
folk and Western were removed hero
from Lynchburg, the Shenandoah Val
ley road was completed, and the Roam
cke Machine Works, employing at pre-
sent LIT O hands, was established. Since
AhAr, Af doll 1,n
into the city in the establishment of
manufactures and other business enter
prises.
Coal and iron and the rich agricultu-
Yal lands of the section have contribu-
ted to the growth.
Roanoke has siXty-fve miles of streets
and eight miles of street railway inside
the corporate limits. A dummy line
extends to Vinton, distance of two
miles east, and to Salem, six miles
west Throughout the city electricity,
in 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 a 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 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
the assessment of this year, is nearly
$4,000, O0O, besides the railroad property
and the Roanoke Machine Works. The
increase in the value of realty was
about S5,O0O,OOO over the previous
assessment of four years ago; but pres
emit values are many millions in excess
OF those given.
There are four fine hotels-Hotel Roa-
noke, tho Ponce de Leon, the Continent
tai, and Hotel Felix-besides a number
crowded and constantly turning away
guests.
Roanoke is we'll supplied with
BANKING FACILITIES.
The First National Bank has cap
ital of 100000, with n surplus OF
SlO0,OOO; the National Exchange
Bank a capital of Sl00 O00;. the Citizens
National Bank capital of 500, 600; the
Commercial National Bank capital OF
100000; the Roanoke Trust. Loan and
Safe Deposit Company a capital OF
a25O,OO0; the Traders Loan, Trust and
Deposit Company capital OF 5000;
the Fidelity Loan and Trust Company a
capital of 5000, 900; and several private
banking concerns transact large fnan-
cial business
The Roanoke Machine Works, with a
capital of S5,000,000, pays out S65, COO
per month in wages to employees. About
$1,000, 900 year is paid in the city for
wages.
Some of tho important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
are as follows:
Roanoke aIachine Works. E. . s5, 900. 600
West End Iron Co............ 100000
Grocer Steel and Iron Co. ..... 200