The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-20

Roanoke has population of 90, 900.
Its citizens are from nearly every State
in the Union. Eight years ago it had
600 people. Its growth at present is on
q more solid basis and more rapid than
ever before in its history.
Roanoke is located at the junction of
tho Shenandoah and Roanoke valleys.
It's altitude is COZ 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 the trade of the Carolinas
to this section. The Valley Branch of
the Baltimore and Ohio runs to Licking
ton, forty miles distant,an a road filling
the connecting link will be constructed
to Roanoke in short time.
The growth of the city dates from
1882, when tho 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 tho city in the establishment Of
n 70 Pm nd <Nfh ht,c
prises.
Coal and iron and the rich agricul-
tural lands of the section have con-
tributed to the growth.
Roanoke has siXty-6ve miles of streets
and eight miles of street railway inside
the corporate limits. A dummy line ex-
tends to Vinton, a 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 a city of $4,000 inhabitants. The
supply comes rom 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
50, 900, besides the railroad property
and the Roanoke Machine Works The
Increase in the value of realty was
about S5,000,000 over the previous
assessment of four years ago; but pres
ent values are many millions in excess
of those given.
There are four fine hotels-IIotel Roa-
noke, the Ponce de Leon, the Continent
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 capital
Of $1,000 the National Exchange
Bank, capital of 500, 600; the Citi-
zen's Bank, capital of $4,000; the
Commercial National Bank, capital of
100000; the Roanoke Trust, Loan and
Safe-Deposit Company, a capital of $780,
600; tho Traders Loan, Trust and De-
post Company, capital of 500, 900;
the Fidelity Loan and Trust Company,
and several private banking concerns,
transact large financial business.
All the leading denominations have
churches in the city, and there arc
n number of new churches going
up, with more soon to be started
The Southern Methodist, Presbyterian
and Catholic churches have handsome
brick edifices. The Baptists are erect
ing fine church, and the Lutherans
will soon begin the erection of $40, 900
structure. The Christian sect and
n lot Atck r.,
neat houses of worship. The city has a
number of excellent public and private
schools.
There are three fire companies. with
$50 members and modern equipments.
The Roanoke Machine Works, with a
capital of S5,0O0,000, pays out sos, 900
per month in wages to employees. About
S5.000,00O year is paid in the city for
wages.
Some of the important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
are as follows:
Roanoke Machine Works lem
ploy 1,600 men) .......... 81, 900, 900
Virginia Development Co. -. 5000, 600
West End Iron Co. .......... 100000
Grocer Steel and Iron Co.. 80. 100000
American Bridge Works. 80. 5000
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. -. 500, 900
General Repair Shops N. s.
w. r. R.. ......
General Repair Shops Shcnan-
doah Valley Railroad. $50. ........
Roanoke Brewery. ........... $4,000
Bridgewater Carriage Com