The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-07

from whore 1t now enters Lick Run near
the Brewery to Tinker creek, a distance
of twenty nine hundred feet; also the
widening and deepening of Lick Run
from the Brewery to Tinker creek.
Work will begin on these extensions
and new sewers as soon as w. +. Patter-
son, to whom the contracts were let, 6les
the required bonds with the City Coun-
Gil. The board of public works has also
decided to put in system of lateral
sewers on Salem avenue, the cost of
which is to be assessed against the
abutting property owners.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Early recognizing the Importance of
public schools the old town in 1883 had
q good school which was conducted in
large old wooden building. But the in
crease of population very soon rendered
moro commodious quarters and better
facilities necessary. Still the city man
aged to get along fairly we'll with in
ferior buildings for a number of years.
In 1855 was erected the first Of the hand
some buildings which the city has.
This was tho schoolhouse in the Second
ward which is a large, subs tan tial build
Ing Of brick supplied with all of the
modern appliances and cost altogether
$4,000.
In 1889 the cid wooden building that
had been occupied in former days was
pulled down and on its site the CITY
erected magnificent brick building at
a cost of 5000. In 1890 brick school
building was erected near Old Lick for
the colored schools at a cost of $1,000
The City Council has recently decided
upon building another structure for the
colored schools in the Third ward. 1t
will be of brick and will cost 81 ,OOO
Work on this building will commence in
a short lime The Belmont school will
be by far the handsomest building OF its
kind in the city. 1t is now in course of
construction and will cost Sl3 1900. The
Melrose school building is not owned but
rented by the city.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Roanoke has been behind no city of
her size in the matter of public build
ings to house the majesty of the law.
However, when the present court house
was built, five years ago, the city fathers
probably did not realize the proportions
that the Magic City" was destined to
assume, and they consequently built
the court house of no larger diman-
sions. Realizing this spring that il was
entirely too small for the volume of
business, an addition was resolved upon,
which is now being erected and which
will about double tho capacity of the
court house.
The addition is to cost about SIS 5000.
new jail was also resolved upon, and
bonds 10 the amount of $4,000 were
issued to build it. The structure is now
being erected, is large and substantial
and the coils are OF the latest and most
i'm proved design. The front part of the
building will be fitted up for police
headquarters and the upper story will
be designed for the residence of the
jailer.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The city has evinced no backward ness
in the matter Of providing flrst-class
quarters for the fire department. The
building occupied by the Vigilant Fire
Company was erected by the city at a
cost of $1,000. The building occupied
by the Junior Hose Company, while not
a costly one, is q good frame building
and affords very good quarters for the
company. The building occupied by
the Friendship Fire Company is the
largest and most costly in the city. 1t
was built at cost OF so 600. For the
use of the department the city has pur-
chased a La France engine at cost of
$4,000, an excellent fire alarm system
at cost OF b,oOU, nose to the amount
Of So, 900, three hose wagons at $1,000,
and reels and other supplies 10 the
amount Of $1,000. Recently an Aerial
hook and ladder truck has been pur-
chased at cost of SO, 400 ana it is ex-
pected to arrive in few days.
OVERHEAD BRIDGES.
In 1890 the council appropriated the
sum OF 200 for the construction of
overhead bridges, and out of that sum
have been built the Randolph, Park and
Henry street bridges, which are first
class in every particular and prove
great convenience to travel from the
city.to the north side OF the railroad
track. Thus upon surveying the history
OF Roanoke for the past few years, it
may be readily seen that in the way OF
public improvements she has accom-.
plished much. and arguing from the
past 1t Is but reasonable to suppose that