The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-22

Iop0lntlOn, lDuuStrleS anu AuShnt-
ages OF the Wonder of the Valley.
Roanoke has population of over g.
O00 It's citizens are from nearly every
State in the Union. Eight years ago it
had GOO people. Its growth at present
is on moro solid basis and moro rapid
than ever before in its history
Roanoke is located at the junction Of
the Shenandoah and Roanoke valleys.
Its altitude is 0O7 feet and it is sur
rounded by rich agricultural and min
eral country.
Roanoke is distant just eight hours
ride from Washington and Norfolk, nino
from Baltimore, twelve from Philadel-
phia. and fourteen from New York. 1t
is situated at the junction of tho Shen-
andoah Valley and Norfolk and West
easily reached from any section of tho
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 tho city dates from
1882, when tho headquarters of the Nor
folk and Western were removed here
I !, ~
ley road was complet ted, and the Roam
okc Machine Works, employing at pre-
sent ], 7t0 hands, was established. Since
then millions of dollars have flowed
into tho city in the establishment of
manufactures and other business entor-
prises.
Coal and iron and the rich agricultu-
raj lands of the section have contribu-
ted to the growth.
Roanoke has sixty-five miles of streets
and eight miles of street railway inside
the corporate limits. A dummy line
extends to Vinton, a 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 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 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.
Tho property valuation, according to
tho assessment of 5his year, is nearly
IA "a Al
and the Roanoke Machine Works. The
increase in tho value of realty was
about $j,0O0,000 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-Eotcl Roa-
noke, the Ponce de Leon, the Continent
tai, and Hotel FcliX-besides 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 cap
ital of $4,000 the National Exchange
Bank a capital of 100000; the Citizens
National Bank capital of 500, 900; the
Commercial National Bank a capital of
$1,000 the Roanoke Trust, Loan and
Safe Deposit Company capital of
$3.50, 900; the Traders Loan. Trust and
Deposit Company capital OF Sl00,0OO;
the Fidelity Loan and Trust Company a
capital Of $500, 900; and several private
banking concerns transact large finan-
cial business.
Tho Roanoke Machine Works, with a
capital OF S5,0O0,0O0, pays out Sea, 900
pcr month in wages to employees. About
S5,00O,000 year is paid in the city for
wages.
Some OF the important
MANUFACTURING PLANTS
are as follows:
Roanoke Machine Works :. 81, 900, 900
West End Iron Co......... 500, 900