The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-02

Roanoke has population OF overs2,-
900. It's citizens are from nearly every
State in the Union. Eight years ago il
had COO 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 907 feet and it is sur
rounded by a rich agricultural and min
eral country.
Roanoke is distant jusEeight 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 tho Carolinas to this section
next fall. The Valley branch of the
Baltimore and Ohio runs to Lex; 1gton,
forty miles distant, and road filling
the connecting link will be constructed
70 Roanoke in 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
oke Machine Works, employing at pre-
sent LIZ o hands, was established. Since
shen millions of dollars have flowed
80 NE ~, h., h ;c1, e
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 siXtyfve miles Of streets
and eight miles Of street railway inside
the corporate limits. A dummy line
extends to Ninton, distance Of two
miles cast, 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 a 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 the country. 1t is undoubtedly 4
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 wear, is nearly
$4,000, 600, besides the railroad property
and the Roanoke Machine Works. The
increase in the value Of realty was
about S., 200, Geo over the previous
assessment OF four years ago. hut pres
eHt values arc many millions in excess
Of those given.
There arc four fine hotels-Eotel Roa-
noke, the Ponce dc Leon. the Contincn-
tai, and Hotel FeliX-bcsides 4 number
OF smaller ones. All Of them are
crowded and constantly turning away
guests.
Roanoke is well supplied with
BANKING FACILITIES.
The First National Bank has cap
ital of 100000, with surplus OF
100000; the National Exchange
Bank q capital of 100000; the Citizens
National Bank capital OF SiO0, coo; the
Commercial National Bank a capital of
100000; the Roanoke Trust, Loan and
Safe Deposit Company capital OF
G250,000; the Traders Loan, Trust and
Deposit Company a capital Of SlO0.0C0;
the Fidelity Loan and Trust Companya
capital OF $500, 600; and several private
banking concerns transact 4 large finan-
cial business
Tho Roanoke Machine Works, with
capital OF E5,000,00O, pays cut S65, 900
pr month in wages TO employees. About
IS, 900, 900 year is paid in the city for
wages.
Some OF the important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
age as follows:
Roanoke Machine Works. =. S. 600, COO
West End Iron Co.. 500, 900
Grocer Steel and Iron Co. .. 800 600
American bridge Works. 200, 600
Rifles Hydraulic Engine
Works ................. $4,000
Roanoke Canning Factory.... $4,000
Roanoke Rolling Mills. 200 600
Roanoke Spike Factory $4,000
Roanoke Iron Co, consisting
of q 2O0-ton Furnace, Muck
Bar Mill and Plate MILL. SOC, 900
Roanoke brewery ......... $4,000
Bridgewater Carriage Com
pany, OF Roanoke. ... $4,000
Gambill FIGURING Mill Co. $50. 10000
Roanoke Milling Company. 25 900
Roanoke Gas and Water Co.. $50, 600
Roanoke Electric Light Co... $4,000
P. l.. Terry Milling Co.. $4,000
Diamond leo Co. ............. $1,000
Roanoke leo Co. ............. $4,000
West End Brick and lilo
Works 49,. .......... 10000
Adams Bros. 81 Payne Brick
Co. ............... $4,000
Five planning mills. 100, 600
Two tobacco factories. $4,000
Two cigar factories. .......... 5000
One mattress factory. ....... $4,000
Cold storage company. $4,000
Norwich Lock Manufacturing