The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-25
ROANOKE, The MAGIC CITY.
interesting Facts About Roa-
noke Worth Knowing.
Roanoke's Population-Its Location and
Environments-ItsR Railroad Facilities.
Its Hotels and Notwithstanding
Operations-Rcal Estate Transfers.
Companies Chartered During 1890,
improvements to be Made In 1901.

Roanoke has population of 22,CO0.
Its citizens are from nearly every State
In the Union. Eight years ago it had
600 people. It's growth at present is on
more solid basis and more rapid than
ever before in rs history.
Roanoke is located at the junction of
the Shenandoah and Roanoke valleys.
It's altitude is 9O7 feet and 1t 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.
Tho Roanoke and Southern railroad
is now being built to this place from
Winston, n. c., and will in years
time open up the trade Of the Carolinas
to this section. The Valley Branch Of
the Baltimore and Ohio runs to Lexing-
ton, forty miles distant,and road filing
the connecting link will be constructed
to Roanoke in short time.
The growth of the city dates from
1882, whom 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 ZOO 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 agricul-
tural lands of the section have con-
tributed to the growth.
Roanoke has sixty-five miles of streets
and eight miles of street railway inside
the corporate limits. A dummy line ex-
tends to Vinton, distance of two miles
east, and to Salem, six miles west.
Throughout the city electricity, in q
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 the country. 1t is undoubtedly a
specific for many forms of kidney dis
case.
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
o,0O0,0 900, besides the railroad property
and the Roanoke Machine Works Tho
increase in the value of realty was
about S5,000,OO0 over the previous
assessment OF four years ago; but pres
emit values are many millions in xcess
Of those given.
an
nolse, the Ponce de Leon, the Continen-
tai, and Hotel Felix-besides a number
of smaller ones. All of them are
crowded and constantly turning away
guests.
Roanoke is we'll supplied with
BANKING FACILITIES,
The First National Bank has a capital
of 100000; the National Exchange
Bank, capital Of sloo, 900; the Citizens
National Bank, capital of SlOO, 900;
the Commercial National Bank, a CAPT
tai OF Sl00.000; the Roanoke Trust, Loan
and Safe Deposit Company, capital of
$3.50, 900; the Traders Loan, Trust and
Deposit Company, capital Of $1,000
tho Fidelity Loan and Trust Company,
a capital Of 100000, and several private
banking concerns transact large
financial business.
All the leading denominations have
churches in the city, and there arc
number of now churches going
up, with moro soon to be started.
The Southern Methodist, Presbyterian
aud Catholic churches have handsome
brick edihces. The Baptists arc erect
ing fine church, and the Lutherans
will soon begin the erection Of $40, 900
structure. The Christian sect and
Northern Methodist churches also have
neat houses of worship. The city has
number of excellent public and private
schools.
There are three fire companies. with
$50 members and modern equipments.
The Roanoke Machine Works, with
capital of S5,000,OOO, pays out Sos, 900
per month in wages to employees. About
S5,O00,O0O year is paid in the city for
wages.
Some of the important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
are as follows:
Roanoke Machine Works (em-
ploy 1000 men) ........ So, 900, 900
Virginia Development Co... 100000
West End Iron Co. ........... 100000
Grocer Steel and Iron Co... 100000
American Bridge Works. 49,. 100000
Rifles Hydraulic Engine
Works. $4,000
Roanoke Canning Factory. $4,000
Roanoke Rolling Mills. ...... 10000
Roanoke Spike Factory. ..... $4,000
Roanoke Iron Co., consisting
of 200 ton Furnace, Muck
Bar Mill and Plate Mill. 49,. 500, 900
General Repair Shops N. &
w. IL. IT,. ................ .,......