fbpx
Wikipedia

Roanoke, Virginia

February 25, 2024

This article is about the Virginia city. For the colonization attempt of a North Carolina island, see Roanoke Colony.

Roanoke (/ˈroʊ.əˌnoʊk/ ROH-ə-nohk) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is located in Southwest Virginia along the Roanoke River, in the Blue Ridge range of the greater Appalachian Mountains. Roanoke is approximately 50 miles (80 km) north of the Virginia–North Carolina border and 250 miles (400 km) southwest of Washington, D.C., along Interstate 81. At the 2020 census, Roanoke's population was 100,011, making it the largest city in Virginia west of the state capital Richmond.[6] It is the primary population center of the Roanoke metropolitan area, which had a population of 315,251 in 2020.

Roanoke, Virginia
Independent city
City of Roanoke
Clockwise from top: Downtown Roanoke, City market building, St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke Star
Flag
Seal
Logo
Nickname(s): 
The Star City of The South, Magic City, Star City
Roanoke
Location in Virginia
Roanoke
Roanoke (the United States)
Coordinates: 37°16′14″N 79°56′33″W / 37.27056°N 79.94250°W / 37.27056; -79.94250
Country United States
State Virginia
Named forRoanoke River
Government
 • TypeCouncil–manager
 • MayorSherman P. Lea Sr.
 • Vice MayorJoseph L. Cobb
Area
[1]
 • Independent city42.85 sq mi (110.99 km2)
 • Land42.52 sq mi (110.13 km2)
 • Water0.33 sq mi (0.86 km2)
Elevation
[3]
974 ft (297 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Independent city100,011
 • Rank326th in the United States
8th in Virginia
 • Density2,300/sq mi (900/km2)
 • Urban
217,312 (US: 177th)[2]
 • Urban density1,731.6/sq mi (668.6/km2)
 • Metro
315,251 (US: 163rd)
DemonymRoanoker
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
24001–24020, 24022–24038, 24040, 24042–24045, 24048, 24050, 24155, 24157, 24012
Area code(s)540, 826
FIPS code51-77000[4]
GNIS feature ID1499971[5]
Websitewww.roanokeva.gov

The Roanoke Valley was originally home to members of the Siouan-speaking Tutelo tribe. However, in the 17th and early-to-mid 18th centuries, Scotch-Irish and later German American farmers gradually drove those Native Americans out of the area as the American frontier pressed westward. In 1882, the Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W) chose the small town of Big Lick as the site of its corporate headquarters and railroad shops. Within two years, the town had become the City of Roanoke. With a 2,300% population growth rate in the decade from 1880 to 1890, the young city experienced the advantages and disadvantages of its boomtown status. During the 20th century, Roanoke's boundaries expanded through multiple annexations from the surrounding Roanoke County, and it became Southwest Virginia's economic and cultural hub. The 1982 decision by N&W to relocate their headquarters out of the city, combined with other manufacturing closures, led Roanoke to pivot to a primarily service economy. In the 21st century, a robust healthcare industry and the development and increased marketing of its outdoor amenities have helped reverse prior declining population trends.

Roanoke is known for the Roanoke Star, an 88.5-foot-tall (27.0 m) illuminated star that sits atop a mountain within the city's limits and is the origin of its nickname, "The Star City of the South". Other points of interest include the Hotel Roanoke, a 330-room Tudor Revival structure built by N&W in 1882, the Taubman Museum of Art, designed by architect Randall Stout, and the city's farmer's market, the oldest continuously operating open-air market in the state. The Roanoke Valley features 26 miles of greenways with bicycle and pedestrian trails, and the city's location in the Blue Ridge Mountains provides access to numerous outdoor recreation opportunities.

History edit

Early history and incorporation edit

The current site of Roanoke lies near the intersection of the Great Wagon Road and the Carolina Road, two branches of a network of early colonial roads that developed from Native American trails in the Appalachian region.[7] While the name Roanoke is said to have originated from a Native American word for shell beads used as currency,[8] that word was first used 300 miles (480 km) away, where the Roanoke River empties into the Atlantic Ocean near Roanoke Island.[9] The Roanoke Valley itself was originally home to members of the Tutelo tribe,[9][10] a Siouan-speaking people who were gradually pushed out of the area by advancing European settlers.[10]

Many of those settlers were Scotch-Irish who arrived in the region during the 18th and early 19th centuries following the Plantation of Ulster.[11]: 3  They were followed by significant numbers of Germans from Pennsylvania via the Great Wagon Road.[11]: 3 [9] By 1838, the area was populated enough that Roanoke County was created out of parts of Botetourt and Montgomery Counties,[12] and the area's first railroad, the Virginia and Tennessee, arrived in 1852.[13]: 49 

The railroad built its new depot just south of a small town named Gainesborough, but named the depot after Big Lick, another small community located just to the east, which itself was named after the salt deposits that had drawn game to the area for years.[13]: 49 [14]: 2  Gainesborough increasingly became referred to as Big Lick (and later as Old Lick) once development drifted farther south towards the depot.[15] Growth in the area was stalled by the Civil War; Roanoke County voted 850–0 in favor of secession and lost many of its men in the subsequent fighting.[13]: 53  The burgeoning tobacco trade helped the region's recovery during Reconstruction. Within a decade of the war's end, there were no fewer than six tobacco factories near the Big Lick Depot.[13]: 58 

In 1874, the community surrounding the depot applied for and received a town charter, and the Town of Big Lick was formally established.[11]: 71  Eight years later, efforts by town boosters succeeded in securing Big Lick as the junction of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad and the Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W).[13]: 65  The two companies also relocated their respective headquarters to the town (the two lines would officially merge in 1890).[13]: 70 [11]: 204  Big Lick's relatively small size compared to the nearby county seat, Salem, worked in its favor as a draw for the companies. Big Lick's ample farmland and nearby water sources were well suited to the railroads' goal of building much of the town from scratch, including railroad shops, offices, a hotel, and suitable housing for their many employees.[11]: 86 [14]: 8 

 
Hotel Roanoke as it appeared in 1910. N&W ordered an expansion to the hotel before the original structure was completed.[16]

In the early 1880s, Big Lick's residents voted to rename the town "Kimball" after Frederick J. Kimball, an executive for the two railroad companies who played a significant role in their new location.[14]: 10  Kimball turned down the honor, saying, "On the Roanoke River in Roanoke County – name it Roanoke."[11]: 90  The town obliged, officially becoming the Town of Roanoke on February 3, 1882.[13]: 65  The new charter also annexed nearly two and a half square miles of additional land, including the Town of Gainesborough (later shortened to Gainsboro), which by that point had already become the center of the area's African American community.[17][18]: 153  Kimball chose a wheat field north of the railroad tracks and east of Gainsboro for the N&W's new hotel,[13]: 66  and the 69-room Hotel Roanoke – designed originally in the Queen Anne style before numerous rebuilds and expansions gave it its current Tudor Revival appearance – opened its doors in 1882.[14]: 12 

With the rapid influx of railroad employees and others in associated industries, Roanoke's population soared and, by the end of 1883, had passed 5,000.[13]: 71  That milestone made the town eligible for a city charter, and on January 31, 1884, the town became the City of Roanoke.[11]: 135 

With a population that ballooned from under 700 residents in 1880 to over 16,000 in 1890[19] – and earning itself the nickname "The Magic City" in the process[14]: 1  – Roanoke suffered many of the same difficulties that affected other 19th century boomtowns.[20] Its infrastructure was essentially nonexistent, and a lack of sewers combined with the area's marshy terrain contributed to regular outbreaks of diphtheria and cholera.[14]: 37  Bond initiatives designed to alleviate these and other issues highlighted racial tensions in the city, as the African American community – roughly 30 percent of Roanoke's population in 1891[14]: 105  – opposed the measures because the money would only be used to improve white neighborhoods.[14]: 42  Black neighborhoods in Roanoke typically received public amenities such as running water and paved roads only after their white counterparts, and Roanoke was among the first to adopt the Jim Crow laws that were becoming increasingly popular in the South.[14]: 108  The local press, for its part, stoked the white population's fears and anxiety with near-constant reports of African American "savagery".[14]: 125 [21][22][23]

In September 1893, tensions boiled over when a white woman was allegedly robbed and beaten by an African-American man, Thomas Smith, near the city's market.[13]: 78  Smith was held in the city jail; a mob of hundreds surrounded the building and demanded "lynch justice".[14]: 135  A shootout between the mob and an undermanned militia ensued, leaving eight dead and thirty-one more injured. Included among the wounded was the city's mayor, the previously widely admired Henry S. Trout,[14]: 134  who had vowed protection of the prisoner.[13]: 79  The rioting mob was eventually successful in gaining control of Smith. They proceeded to hang him and mutilate his body, which was eventually burned when the mob was deterred from its initial plan to bury it in Mayor Trout's front yard.[14]: 140  The mayor himself was forced to flee the city out of fear for his life and only returned a week later after the national press condemned the riot and praised Trout's courage during the event.[14]: 145 

20th century – present edit

Despite these and other setbacks, the city grew through the early 20th century, both in area and population.[13]: 84 [24] In addition to the land gained in its 1882 town charter, relatively unopposed annexations occurred five more times by 1926, though Roanoke County would become less agreeable to later attempts.[24] Mill Mountain became a popular entertainment locale for early residents; an observation tower and the Rockledge Inn each opened atop the mountain in 1892.[11]: 250  Mountain Park, an early amusement center complete with a casino and roller coaster, opened at the foot of the mountain in 1903,[11]: 205  and beginning in 1910 visitors could pay a quarter to ride an incline railway to the top of Mill Mountain and back.[11]: 473 

Another mainstay at the base of the mountain was Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Completed in 1900 as Roanoke Hospital,[11]: 341  the building has undergone many expansions and today is the flagship of the Carilion Clinic healthcare group.[25] The hospital joined some manufacturing operations that were established along the banks of the Roanoke River in the early 20th century, including the American Viscose Corporation.[26] That company built a plant in 1917 that by a decade later employed 5,000 and was reportedly the largest rayon producing mill in the world.[13]: 96 

The city leased land for an airfield beginning in 1929.[11]: 570  Still, its development into the region's primary airport did not begin until its designation as a defense project provided federal funding in 1940.[13]: 103  That same year, N&W donated the fairground, Maher Field, to the city to build a stadium and armory.[13]: 103  Victory Stadium – optimistically named upon its completion in 1942[27] – played host to the annual Thanksgiving Day football game between Virginia Tech and Virginia Military Institute for years afterward.[28]

By the mid-20th century, Roanoke was increasingly losing population and businesses to a Roanoke County that had become less rural and more suburban in nature and consequently more resistant to annexation attempts by the city.[13]: 109 [24] The city was nevertheless successful in annexing additional land in 1943, 1949, three small acquisitions in 1965, 1967, and 1968, and once more in 1976.[24] The county won immunity from further annexations in 1980, but by then, the city had grown from its original size of 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) to 42.9 square miles (111.1 km2).[24]

 
The Roanoke Star is the origin of the city's nickname Star City of the South.

In 1949, the local merchants association erected an 88.5-foot-tall (27.0 m) illuminated star at the top of Mill Mountain in celebration of the upcoming Christmas shopping season.[29] The star was an immediate hit among the city's population, leading to its illumination year-round and earning the city its nickname of "Star City of the South".[30] Despite the popularity boost for the merchants association, shopping habits in Roanoke were becoming more fractured as suburban shopping centers drew patrons away from an increasingly vacant downtown.[31] Crossroads Mall, the first enclosed shopping center in Virginia,[32] and Towers Mall, at the time one of the largest shopping centers in the state,[33] were each completed in 1961.[31] In later years, Tanglewood Mall (1973)[34] and Valley View Mall (1985)[35] contributed to Roanoke's status as the region's retail hub.[36]

Mid-century change to the city came in the form of a massive "urban renewal" effort that saw the construction of both the Roanoke Civic Center (now Berglund Center) as well as an interstate spur into downtown Roanoke.[37] Much of the land for these projects was in Northeast Roanoke, a community of primarily African American citizens who had been largely redlined from the rest of the city.[38] City officials gained the land through eminent domain and proceeded to clear over 1,000 buildings, often through widescale burning.[37] Later projects in the largely black Gainsboro neighborhood removed hundreds of homes and businesses there as well, and late-20th and early-21st century revitalization efforts by the city's government have been met with distrust and varied success.[37][39][40][41]

The second half of the 20th century ushered in a change of identity for Roanoke.[42] In 1982, the N&W completed a merger with the Southern Railway to form the Norfolk Southern Railway, which then relocated their headquarters from Roanoke to Norfolk, Virginia.[42][43] The company closed their regional headquarters in Roanoke in 2015, and in 2020 shuttered the locomotive shops.[44][45] The railroad's departure and a string of manufacturing plant closures left a hole in the city's economic base.[42]

In 1987, however, the merger of two of the area's largest hospitals created the forerunner of Carilion Clinic, a medical group that is the largest employer in the state west of Richmond.[46] The group's partnerships with Virginia Tech and Radford University have created two colleges and a research facility in what was formerly an industrial brownfield area, but has since been termed the city's "innovation corridor".[47][48] These developments, along with the city's decision to improve its parks and recreation amenities and market itself as an outdoor tourism hotspot, have helped reverse its decades-long loss of young adults,[49][50] and in 2020 Roanoke's population passed 100,000 for the first time since 1980.[51]

Geography edit

Roanoke is the largest city in Virginia west of Richmond[52] and is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a range which is part of the greater Appalachian Mountains.[53] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 42.9 square miles (111.1 km2), of which 42.5 square miles (110.1 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km2) (0.8%) is water.[54] It is located in the center of the greater Roanoke Valley and is bisected by the Roanoke River, which flows west-to-east through the city.[55] Within the city limits is Mill Mountain, a 1,700-foot-tall (520 m) mountain and 500-acre municipal park which stands detached from the surrounding ranges.[56]

 
The Blue Ridge Mountains get their distinctive color from isoprene produced by the trees.[57]

Roanoke's location in the Blue Ridge Mountains makes it proximate to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife.[58] The area is home to at least 43 species of salamander,[59] and the Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve in neighboring Roanoke County protects the world's largest collection of piratebush, an exceedingly rare parasitic plant endemic to the Appalachians.[60]

Roanoke is the largest city along both the Appalachian Trail, which runs through Roanoke County just north of the city,[61] and the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs just south of the city.[62] Carvins Cove, the third-largest municipal park in America at 12,700 acres (51 km2), lies in northeast Roanoke County and southwest Botetourt County.[63] Smith Mountain Lake is several miles southeast of the city,[64] and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are nearby.[65] Outdoor pursuits in the region include hiking, mountain biking, cross-country running, canoeing, kayaking, fly fishing, and disc golf.[66]

Neighborhoods edit

Main article: List of neighborhoods in Roanoke, Virginia
 
The Grandin Theatre located in Grandin Village

Roanoke is divided into 49 separate neighborhoods.[67] The city has incorporated into its comprehensive plan the goal of developing these neighborhoods into "villages", each with their own village center, and with the Downtown neighborhood acting as the village center for the city as a whole.[68] The Raleigh Court neighborhood has been cited as a model for such development, consisting of a variety of residential settings located around Grandin Village, an active commercial hub anchored by the Grandin Theatre, the city's only surviving historic theater.[69] That commercial district is one of the city's eight neighborhoods (or portions thereof) that have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[70]

Climate edit

Though located along the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations exceeding 900 ft (270 m), Roanoke lies in the humid subtropical climate zone (Köppen Cfa), with four distinct, but generally mild, seasons.[71] It is located in USDA hardiness zone 7b, with the suburbs falling in zone 7a.[72] Extremes in temperature have ranged from 105 °F (41 °C) (as recently as August 21, 1983) down to −12 °F (−24 °C) on December 30, 1917. However, neither 100 °F (38 °C) nor 0 °F (−18 °C) are reached in most years; the most recent occurrence of each is July 20, 2020, and February 20, 2015, respectively.[73] More typically, the area records an average of 6.1 days where the temperature stays at or below freezing and 30.5 days with 90 °F (32 °C)+ highs annually.[73][74] The monthly mean temperature ranges from 37.9 °F (3.3 °C) in January to 77.8 °F (25.4 °C) in July.[73][74]

Based on the 1991−2020 period, the city averages 14.8 inches (38 cm) of snow per winter.[74] Roanoke experienced a mild snow drought in the 2000s, which ended in December 2009 when 17 inches (43 cm) of snow fell on Roanoke in a single storm.[75] Winter snowfall has ranged from trace amounts in 1918–19 and 1919–20 to 62.7 inches (159 cm) in 1959–60;[73] unofficially, the largest single storm dumped approximately three feet (0.9 m) from December 16−18, 1890.[76]

Historically, flooding has been the primary weather-related hazard faced by Roanoke.[77] Heavy rains, most frequently from the remnants of a hurricane, drain from surrounding areas to the narrow Roanoke Valley.[78] The most recent significant flood was in the fall of 2018, when the remains of Hurricane Michael dumped over five inches of rain on the area in the span of only a few hours.[79][80] The most severe flooding in the city's history occurred on November 4, 1985, when heavy storms from Hurricane Juan stalled over the area.[81] Ten people drowned in the Roanoke Valley and others were saved by rescue personnel.[82] That incident prompted a major flood reduction effort completed in 2012 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has limited the damage caused by subsequent storms.[83]

Climate data for Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport, Virginia (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1912–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 81
(27) 		84
(29) 		90
(32) 		95
(35) 		99
(37) 		104
(40) 		105
(41) 		105
(41) 		103
(39) 		99
(37) 		83
(28) 		80
(27) 		105
(41)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 67.2
(19.6) 		70.3
(21.3) 		78.5
(25.8) 		85.7
(29.8) 		89.5
(31.9) 		93.6
(34.2) 		95.8
(35.4) 		94.5
(34.7) 		91.2
(32.9) 		84.6
(29.2) 		76.0
(24.4) 		68.3
(20.2) 		96.9
(36.1)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 47.1
(8.4) 		50.8
(10.4) 		59.0
(15.0) 		69.7
(20.9) 		77.2
(25.1) 		84.4
(29.1) 		88.1
(31.2) 		86.5
(30.3) 		80.0
(26.7) 		70.1
(21.2) 		59.0
(15.0) 		50.0
(10.0) 		68.5
(20.3)
Daily mean °F (°C) 37.9
(3.3) 		40.8
(4.9) 		48.3
(9.1) 		58.0
(14.4) 		66.1
(18.9) 		73.8
(23.2) 		77.8
(25.4) 		76.2
(24.6) 		69.6
(20.9) 		58.9
(14.9) 		48.4
(9.1) 		40.9
(4.9) 		58.1
(14.5)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 28.7
(−1.8) 		30.8
(−0.7) 		37.6
(3.1) 		46.3
(7.9) 		55.0
(12.8) 		63.2
(17.3) 		67.4
(19.7) 		66.0
(18.9) 		59.1
(15.1) 		47.8
(8.8) 		37.7
(3.2) 		31.8
(−0.1) 		47.6
(8.7)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 11.0
(−11.7) 		15.8
(−9.0) 		21.3
(−5.9) 		31.5
(−0.3) 		40.3
(4.6) 		51.7
(10.9) 		57.6
(14.2) 		55.6
(13.1) 		45.1
(7.3) 		32.0
(0.0) 		23.4
(−4.8) 		16.9
(−8.4) 		9.0
(−12.8)
Record low °F (°C) −11
(−24) 		−1
(−18) 		9
(−13) 		15
(−9) 		30
(−1) 		36
(2) 		47
(8) 		42
(6) 		32
(0) 		22
(−6) 		8
(−13) 		−12
(−24) 		−12
(−24)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.17
(81) 		2.89
(73) 		3.51
(89) 		3.49
(89) 		4.31
(109) 		4.66
(118) 		4.28
(109) 		3.37
(86) 		4.06
(103) 		2.96
(75) 		3.04
(77) 		3.08
(78) 		42.82
(1,088)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 4.3
(11) 		4.8
(12) 		2.3
(5.8) 		0.1
(0.25) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.1
(0.25) 		3.2
(8.1) 		14.8
(38)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 9.5 9.5 11.1 10.7 12.4 12.2 11.7 9.7 9.0 7.7 7.8 9.2 120.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 2.0 2.2 1.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.3 7.1
Source: NOAA[73][74]

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880669—
189016,1592,315.4%
190021,49533.0%
191034,87462.2%
192050,84245.8%
193069,20636.1%
194069,2870.1%
195091,92132.7%
196097,1105.6%
197092,115−5.1%
1980100,2208.8%
199096,397−3.8%
200094,911−1.5%
201097,0322.2%
2020100,0113.1%
Sources: 1880–1950[19]
1960–1980[84]
1990-2000[85] 2010[86] 2020[87]

2020 census edit

At the 2020 census, there were 100,011 people residing in 44,411 households in the city, 21,199 of which housed families. The population density was 2,352.0 inhabitants per square mile (908.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 55.94% White, 27.07% African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.46% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 5.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.48% of the population.[87]

Among the city's households, 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 30.4% were married couples living together, while 37.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. In total, 42.3% were non-families. 38.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. 24.0% of the population were under the age of 20, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.1 years.[87]

The median household income was $45,664, and the median family income was $55,345. The per capita income was $29,585. About 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.2% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.[88]

2020 census edit

Roanoke city, Virginia – Racial and ethnic composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2000[89] Pop 2010[86] Pop 2020[87] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 65,256 60,042 55,951 68.75% 61.88% 55.94%
Black or African American alone (NH) 25,220 27,256 27,077 26.57% 28.09% 27.07%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 178 198 211 0.19% 0.20% 0.21%
Asian alone (NH) 1,088 1,676 2,462 1.15% 1.73% 2.46%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 21 36 42 0.02% 0.04% 0.04%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 185 199 523 0.19% 0.21% 0.52%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 1,558 2,280 5,261 1.64% 2.35% 5.26%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,405 5,345 8,484 1.48% 5.51% 8.48%
Total 94,911 97,032 100,011 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

Economy edit

Roanoke's economy was long closely linked to its status as the headquarters for the Norfolk and Western Railway.[14] As time progressed, manufacturing and mining businesses contributed to the region's growth.[90] After the N&W's merger with the Southern Railway created the Norfolk Southern Railway in 1982, Norfolk Southern continued to operate maintenance facilities and a rail yard in Roanoke but moved its headquarters to Norfolk, Virginia, and in 2015 moved out of its downtown Roanoke office building.[91] On May 18, 2020, after 139 years of production, Norfolk Southern shut down its locomotive shops and moved all operations to the Juniata Locomotive Shops in Altoona, Pennsylvania.[44] With Norfolk Southern's departure, Roanoke's economy has since the mid-1990s shifted to become dominated by the healthcare industry.[90]

 
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital has been expanded many times since its opening in 1900.

As of 2023 the city's top employer – and the largest private employer west of Richmond[46]– is Carilion Clinic, which developed from the 1987 merger of two of the area's largest hospitals.[92] The non-profit group employs over 13,000 people. It operates nine hospitals in Western Virginia, along with public-private partnerships with Virginia Tech (Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute)[93] and Radford University (Radford University Carilion).[47][94] The clinic's expansions have spurred considerable development in the former brownfields located south of Roanoke's downtown,[95] turning the once-abandoned industrial sites into an area called the "innovation corridor" by the city.[48]

Another driving factor in the region's economy has been a push during the 21st century to market the area's outdoor recreation potential.[96] The Roanoke Regional Partnership, an economic development group representing the area's municipalities, has created a division called the Roanoke Outside Foundation that seeks to recruit businesses and talent based on the strength of the region's natural amenities.[97] The organization also puts on annual events such as the Blue Ridge Marathon and the GO Outside Festival.[98]

Other areas of strength in the region's economy include manufacturing and retail, each comprising over ten percent of the valley's industry.[99] Transportation manufacturers such as Yokohama Tire,[100] Volvo,[101] Mack Trucks,[102] Metalsa,[103] and Altec[104] contribute to the thousands of people employed in that field regionally.[99] Night-vision device makers Elbit Systems[105] and the fiber optics company Luna Innovations[106] are among the advanced manufacturers in the area.[99]

Top employers edit

According to Roanoke's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[107] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital 1,000+
2 Roanoke City Public Schools 1,000+
3 Carilion Services 1,000+
4 United Parcel Service 1,000+
5 City of Roanoke 500 to 999
6 Walmart 500 to 999
7 United States Postal Service 500 to 999
8 Virginia Western Community College 500 to 999
9 Anthem, member of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association 500 to 999
10 Steel Dynamics Roanoke Bar Division 500 to 999

Arts and culture edit

Serving as a hub for arts and culture in Southwest Virginia, Roanoke is home to several museums and cultural institutions in addition to being the host of several festivals, many centering around Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke.[108][109][110]

Museums edit

Center in the Square, an arts and culture organization located near downtown's historic market building and farmers' market, was developed alongside the city's "Design '79" downtown revitalization effort and opened in 1983.[111] The center, located in a converted warehouse, originally housed the city's arts council and museum, history and science museums, and the Mill Mountain Theatre.[112] It has since expanded to five buildings, providing rent-free space to twelve institutions, including the Science Museum of Western Virginia and Hopkins Planetarium, the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, and the Roanoke Pinball Museum.[112]

 
The Taubman Museum of Art

One of the original tenants of Center in the Square, the Art Museum of Western Virginia, moved to a downtown Salem Avenue facility in 2008.[113] The move was made with the help of a $15.2 million donation from Nicholas and Jenny Taubman, whose family had established Advance Auto Parts in Roanoke in the 1930s.[114] As a result, the museum was renamed the Taubman Museum of Art.[115] The art museum features 19th and 20th century American art, contemporary and modern art, decorative arts, and works on paper.[116] The 75,000-square-foot (7,000 m2) facility was designed by Los Angeles-based architect Randall Stout, who earlier in his career worked under Frank Gehry.[113] Though the building's avant-garde design was controversial,[117][118] it has since won international praise for its architecture.[119][120]

 
Jupiter Rocket outside the Virginia Museum of Transportation

Also located downtown is the Virginia Museum of Transportation, which houses many locomotives that were built in Roanoke by the Norfolk & Western Railway, including the 1218 and 611 steam engines.[121][122] A 2013 fundraising campaign led to the engine's refurbishment,[123] and it now does tourist excursion runs when not home at the museum.[124] In addition to its rail exhibits, the museum also displays a US Army Jupiter rocket[125] and houses exhibits covering aviation as well as automobiles.[126] The museum is located in the former Norfolk and Western freight depot which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[127]

The former Norfolk and Western Passenger Station hosts two museums: the O. Winston Link Museum, dedicated to the late steam-era railroad photography of O. Winston Link, and the History Museum of Western Virginia.[128] Originally built in 1905, the station underwent a 1949 renovation in the Moderne style by designer Raymond Loewy, and is one of four contributing structures to the Norfolk and Western Railway Company Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[129]

Arts edit

The Berglund Performing Arts Theatre is a 2,150-seat venue within the larger Berglund Center complex.[130] It regularly hosts concerts,[131][132] touring Broadway theatre performances,[133][134] stand-up comedy shows,[135][136] and the Miss Virginia pageant.[137][138] The city's first permanent artwork funded by the Percent for Art ordinance – a law stating that the city must set aside 1% of its capital improvements budget for the purchasing of public art[108] – stands before the theater. Dedicated in 2008 to celebrate the city's 150th anniversary,[139] the 30-foot (9.1 m) stainless steel sculpture, "In My Hands", is one of over 160 public works of art in Roanoke.[140]

 
The Jefferson Center as it appeared in 2023. The Tudor Revival building opened as Jefferson High School in 1924.[141]

The Jefferson Center is a former city high school that saw extensive renovation during the 1990s, turning it into a mixed-use building including office space for non-profits and city departments, event space for meetings and receptions, and the Shaftman Performance Hall, a 925-seat theatre created from the original high school's auditorium.[142][143]

In 2006, the former Dumas Hotel was reopened as the Dumas Center for Artistic and Cultural Development.[144] The center is located on Henry Street, which served as the commercial and cultural center of Roanoke's African-American community before a mid-20th century urban renewal project that saw much of the historic Gainsboro neighborhood razed or relocated.[37][145] The Dumas Hotel hosted such guests as Louis Armstrong, Ethel Waters, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole when they performed in Roanoke.[146] The renovated Dumas Center features an auditorium with more than 200 seats,[144] and the building is a contributing structure to the Henry Street Historic District, listed in 2004 to the National Register of Historic Places.[147]

Since 1964, the Roanoke Valley has hosted performances by the Mill Mountain Theatre, a regional theatre that has been located in Center in the Square since its original home atop Mill Mountain burned down in 1976.[148] The theatre has both a main stage for mainstream performances and a smaller black box theatre called Waldron Stage, which hosts both newer and more experimental plays along with other live events.[149]

Roanoke has been home to the Showtimers Community Theatre since 1951,[150] and since 2008, the Virginia Children's Theatre has presented shows aimed at a younger audience, often based on children's literature.[151] Originally formed as Roanoke Children's Theatre and housed in the Taubman Museum at that building's opening, the theatre expanded into the Dumas Center in 2013, and in 2016 moved to its current home in the Jefferson Center.[151]

Opera Roanoke is Southwest Virginia's only professional opera company, established in 1976 as the Southwest Virginia Opera Society.[152] It has performed under its current name since 1991, and its official orchestra since 2004 has been the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra.[153] That group was established in 1953.[154] The orchestra performs out of the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre, Salem Civic Center, and Shaftman Performance Hall at Jefferson Center.[155]

Points of interest edit

Roanoke is the largest metropolitan area on the Blue Ridge Parkway,[156] a 469-mile-long scenic road that is the most-visited element of the National Park System.[157] The Mill Mountain Parkway exit off of the Blue Ridge Parkway leads to the Roanoke Star, an 88.5-foot-tall (27.0 m) illuminated star sitting atop a mountain inside the city's limits.[158] Also on the mountain's summit is Mill Mountain Zoo, a Zoological Association of America-accredited facility housing over 170 animals.[159][160]

 
The Texas Tavern has changed little since its establishment in 1930.

St. Andrew's Catholic Church rests on a hill overlooking downtown and has been called "one of Virginia’s foremost examples of the High Victorian Gothic".[161] The church dates to 1900, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[161] Just below the church lies the Hotel Roanoke, a historic 330-room Tudor Revival hotel originally built by the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1882 and rebuilt and expanded many times since.[162] Nicknamed the "Grand Old Lady",[163] the hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.[164]

A pedestrian bridge leads from the Hotel Roanoke to the city's historic market building and farmers' market, the latter of which dates to 1882 and is the oldest continuously operating open-air market in Virginia.[165] Near the terminus of the market is Fire Station No. 1, which for a time was the oldest continuously operating station in the state.[166] The Georgian Revival structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973,[167] and currently houses a local furniture showroom, restaurant, and boutique hotel.[168] Two blocks west on the same street is Texas Tavern, an "iconic"[169][170] ten-seat greasy spoon restaurant that the same family has operated since its establishment in 1930.[171]

Festivals edit

 
Parade of Nations at the Local Colors Festival

Roanoke features several annual festivals and events of various types. A parade for St. Patrick's Day occurs every March,[172] and Pride in the Park is an LGBTQ+ community celebration that draws thousands of visitors every April.[173] Several events occur in May, including the Local Colors festival celebrating the cultures of the area's diverse ethnicities,[174] the city's Strawberry Festival,[175] the Down by Downtown music festival which coincides with the Blue Ridge Marathon,[176] and Memorial Day weekend's Festival in the Park, which brings music and vendors to downtown Elmwood Park.[177]

Later in the year, Elmwood Park hosts the Henry Street Heritage Festival, the primary fundraiser for the Harrison Museum of African American Culture.[178] The event's popularity necessitated the move from its eponymous location.[178] The Go Outside Festival, also known as GO Fest, is a free three-day event every October that celebrates the region's outdoor recreation opportunities,[179] and the city holds the multi-week Dickens of a Christmas each December. This Victorian era-themed event includes a Christmas tree lighting, parade, and horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown.[180]

Sports edit

The 1971–1972 Virginia Squires of the American Basketball Association were the only major league sports team to play home games in Roanoke regularly. During that season, the Squires split home games between Richmond, Norfolk, Hampton Roads and Roanoke.[181] Julius Erving played his professional rookie season with the Squires that year before being sent to the New York Nets.[182]

 
The Blue Ridge Mountains viewed from Salem Memorial Ballpark

Minor league baseball has had a long history in the Roanoke Valley.[183] In the 1940s and early 1950s, Roanoke was home to a class B farm team of the Boston Red Sox.[184] Since 1955, neighboring Salem has hosted the local minor league baseball team, which as of 2023 is the Salem Red Sox of the Low-A Carolina League.[184] The team had previously been affiliated with the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies and known as the Avalanche until becoming an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, whose ownership group purchased the Avalanche after the 2007 season.[185]

The history of minor league hockey in the Roanoke Valley goes back to 1967.[186] The Roanoke Express of the ECHL built a loyal following in the mid-1990s,[187] but a combination of financial turmoil due to mismanagement and declining attendance from a lack of post-season success led to the ECHL ending their franchise in 2004.[187][188] An attempt at a revival in 2005–06 by the UHL's Roanoke Valley Vipers failed after one season.[186] In 2016, professional ice hockey returned to Roanoke after ten years when the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs of the SPHL began to play,[186] and the team won its first-ever President's Cup title in 2023.[189]

While the Roanoke area is not home to any NCAA Division I schools, its proximity to Virginia Tech has led it to host some collegiate athletic events. Beginning in 1977, Roanoke, along with Richmond, was one of the primary neutral sites for the annual basketball game between Virginia Tech and the Virginia Cavaliers.[190] In 2000 the schools started holding these games in campus facilities.[191]

From 1913, Roanoke played host to an annual football game between Virginia Tech and the Virginia Military Institute, first at Maher Field and then in the newly constructed Victory Stadium starting in 1942.[28] The game was moved to Thanksgiving Day beginning in the early 1920s and was a holiday mainstay in the city until 1971.[28][192]

Roanoke's location among the Blue Ridge Mountains makes it a destination for other sporting events. Every year since 2010 (barring 2020, when it was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic),[193] the Roanoke Outside Foundation has put on the Blue Ridge Marathon, which is regarded as difficult due to its considerable elevation changes.[193][194] The USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championships were held in the city and surrounding areas in 2022 and 2023,[195] and an Ironman 70.3 triathlon event brought competitors to the region from 2021–2023.[196]

Parks and recreation edit

There are 60 parks within Roanoke's city limits, and its parks and recreation department is responsible for nearly 14,000 acres of public land.[197] Highland Park in the historic Old Southwest neighborhood is the city's oldest, having been purchased in 1902 when the former farm was still distant from the settled part of the city.[11]: 370  Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke became the city's second in 1911.[11]: 370  It features a Japanese magnolia tree that was acquired by Commodore Matthew Perry during an expedition to Japan and donated in 1857 to the former owner of the park.[198] As of 2023 Elmwood holds the city's main library branch as well as an art walk and a 4,000-seat amphitheater.[199]

Roanoke features an extensive network of paved greenways for walkers, runners, and cyclists.[200] Though the idea for a publicly owned greenway system can be traced back to a 1907 comprehensive plan for the city,[201] it was not until 1995 that an intergovernmental committee was formed to plan and develop the project.[202] Since that time, 26 miles of greenways have been built across the Roanoke Valle.,[203] As of 2023, the longest continuous stretch runs 12 miles along the Roanoke River from Salem through Roanoke City to Vinton.[204] Roanoke County is also in the planning stages of extending that same stretch westward into Montgomery County.[205] As of 2023, Roanoke contained over 100 miles (160 km) of trails and greenways.[206]

Government edit

See also: List of mayors of Roanoke, Virginia
United States presidential election results for Roanoke, Virginia[207]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 15,607 36.02% 26,773 61.80% 943 2.18%
2016 14,789 37.47% 22,286 56.47% 2,391 6.06%
2012 14,991 37.33% 24,134 60.10% 1,030 2.57%
2008 15,394 37.76% 24,934 61.15% 444 1.09%
2004 16,661 46.28% 18,862 52.39% 477 1.33%
2000 14,630 43.75% 17,920 53.59% 892 2.67%
1996 12,283 38.37% 17,282 53.98% 2,451 7.66%
1992 13,443 38.21% 17,724 50.38% 4,014 11.41%
1988 15,389 46.90% 17,185 52.37% 239 0.73%
1984 19,008 52.09% 17,300 47.41% 184 0.50%
1980 15,164 43.39% 18,139 51.91% 1,643 4.70%
1976 14,738 41.00% 20,696 57.57% 515 1.43%
1972 18,541 64.67% 9,498 33.13% 632 2.20%
1968 15,368 51.21% 9,281 30.93% 5,359 17.86%
1964 13,164 46.20% 15,314 53.74% 18 0.06%
1960 15,229 62.28% 9,175 37.52% 49 0.20%
1956 16,708 69.38% 6,751 28.03% 623 2.59%
1952 15,673 66.00% 8,042 33.87% 32 0.13%
1948 6,542 49.56% 5,343 40.48% 1,315 9.96%
1944 5,095 40.92% 7,322 58.81% 34 0.27%
1940 3,553 33.70% 6,942 65.85% 47 0.45%
1936 3,363 32.02% 7,087 67.47% 54 0.51%
1932 3,195 33.49% 6,215 65.15% 130 1.36%

Like most cities in Virginia, Roanoke has a council-manager form of government.[208][209] The city manager maintains the day-to-day operation of the city's government and has the authority to hire and fire city employees.[209] The mayor has little executive authority and is essentially the "first among equals" on the Roanoke City Council,[209] though the position wields influence through public appearances and annual State of the City addresses.[210]

The city council has six members, not counting the mayor, all of whom are elected on an at-large basis.[211] A proposal for a ward-based council was rejected by Roanoke voters in 1997, but ward system advocates still contend that the at-large system results in a disproportionate number of council members coming from affluent neighborhoods and that electing some or all council members on a ward basis would result in a more equal representation of all areas of the city.[212] The four-year terms of city council members are staggered, with three members elected every two years.[211] The candidate who receives the most votes is designated the vice mayor for the following two years.[211]

On June 27, 2016, Sherman P. Lea Sr. took the office of mayor,[213] and he was re-elected to the same position in 2020.[214] The current city manager, Bob Cowell, has been in that position since 2017.[215] Joseph L. Cobb is serving his second term as the city's vice mayor.[216]

The city has adopted a budget for the 2024 fiscal year that includes revenues and expenditures totaling $355.4 million, representing a 9.4% increase over the previous year.[217] Local taxes, including real estate, personal property, and sales taxes, are the government's largest source of revenue at over 70% of its intake.[218]

Roanoke is represented by two members of the Virginia House of Delegates, Sam Rasoul (D-11th) and Chris Head (R-17th), and one member of the Virginia Senate, John Edwards (D-21st).[219][220] In February 2023, Edwards announced his intention to retire after 28 years in the state senate.[221] The city lies within Virginia's 6th congressional district, which also includes Lynchburg and much of the Shenandoah Valley. Since 2019 the district has been represented by Republican Ben Cline.[222]

Roanoke is one of the few Democratic pockets in the otherwise heavily Republican Southwest Virginia.[223] It has supported the Democratic Party nominee in every election since 1988 and in all but one election since 1976.[224]

Education edit

Two four-year private institutions are situated in neighboring localities – Roanoke College in the city of Salem,[225] and Hollins University in Roanoke County.[226] Virginia Tech and Radford University's main campuses are located in the nearby New River Valley, and both of those schools have partnered with Carilion Clinic, the regional nonprofit health care organization based in Roanoke, to create medical colleges in the city.[227][228] Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute was founded in 2007,[229] and Radford University Carilion was established in 2019.[230] The Roanoke Higher Education Center opened in 2000 in the former Norfolk and Western General Office Building–North, and provides over 150 programs ranging from high school equivalent degrees to doctorates.[231][232] Virginia Western Community College is located in the city and provides associate degrees as well as facilitated transfers to many four-year colleges in the area.[233][234] ECPI University, a private for-profit institution, also has a campus located in Roanoke.[235]

The local public school division is Roanoke City Public Schools.[236] The two general enrollment public high schools in the city are Patrick Henry High School, located in the Raleigh Court area,[237] and William Fleming High School, located in Northwest Roanoke.[238]

A prominent parochial school in the city is Roanoke Catholic,[239] which dates to 1889 and shares its campus with St. Andrews Catholic Church.[240] Private non-parochial schools in Roanoke include Community High School of Arts and Academics. The school was first housed in the Jefferson Center before moving to its current location in downtown Roanoke in 2011.[241]

Media edit

The city's daily newspaper, The Roanoke Times, has been published since 1886.[242] As of 2023, weekday and Sunday circulation both average around 25,000.[243] In 2013 the paper was sold to Berkshire Hathaway, which in turn sold its BH Media holdings – The Roanoke Times included – to Lee Enterprises in 2020.[244] Beth Macy, author of the bestselling book Dopesick which was adapted into a 2021 Hulu miniseries of the same name, was a reporter at The Roanoke Times for 25 years.[245] The Roanoke Star and Cardinal News are independent digital newspapers that have sought to fill the local news coverage gap resulting from the purchase of The Roanoke Times by an out-of-state publisher and its subsequent reduction in staff.[246][247]

The weekly Roanoke Tribune covers the city's African-American community.[248] The publication was founded in 1939 by the Rev. Fleming Alexander and since 1971 has been owned and edited by his daughter.[249] The Roanoker is the area's bi-monthly lifestyle magazine and has been published since 1972 by Leisure Publishing, which also puts out the bi-monthly Blue Ridge Country magazine.[250]

Roanoke and Lynchburg are grouped in the same television market, which as of 2022 ranks #71 in the United States with 456,390 households.[251] The city has affiliates for all major networks including NBC affiliate WSLS 10,[252] CBS affiliate WDBJ 7,[253] Fox affiliate WFXR Fox,[254] PBS affiliate WBRA-TV,[255] and ION Television affiliate WPXR-TV.[256] The Roanoke-Lynchburg radio market has a population of 451,600 and is ranked number 122 in the United States as of 2022.[257] iHeartMedia owns many stations in the area, including WROV, WJJS, WYYD, and WSTV.[258]

The reality television show Salvage Dawgs was based out of Roanoke. The show, which ran for 11 seasons on the DIY Network, followed the owners and employees of the architectural salvage company Black Dog Salvage as they located and acquired pieces for their store.[259] Some of the company's projects in Roanoke itself were highlighted on the show, including their part in the renovation of Fire Station No. 1.[259]

Infrastructure edit

Transportation edit

Main articles: Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport and Roanoke station (Virginia)

Interstate 581, the primary north–south roadway in the city, connects Roanoke to Interstate 81 to the north. Interstate 581 is a concurrency with U.S. Route 220, which continues as the Roy L. Webber Expressway from downtown Roanoke, where the I-581 designation ends, south to State Route 419. Route 220 continues south to connect Roanoke to Martinsville, Virginia, and Greensboro, North Carolina; a proposed extension of Interstate 73 into Roanoke from North Carolina, running partially concurrent with and parallel to US 220, has long been stalled due to funding issues.[260]

The primary east–west roadway through the city is U.S. Route 460, named Melrose Avenue and Orange Avenue. Route 460 connects Roanoke to Lynchburg to the east and Christiansburg to the west. U.S. Route 11 passes through the city, primarily as Brandon Avenue and Williamson Road, which was a center of automotive-based commercial development after World War II.[261] Other major roads include U.S. Route 221, State Route 117 (known as Peters Creek Road) and State Route 101 (known as Hershberger Road). The Blue Ridge Parkway also briefly runs adjacent to the city border.[262]

 
Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport terminal building

The Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport is located in the northern part of the city. It is the primary passenger and cargo airport for Southwest Virginia.[263] The airport is served by American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta and Allegiant Air.[264] Due to the facility's size, location in the mountains, and proximity to Andrews Air Force Base, it is often used as a pilot training destination for the Special Air Mission fleet that serves as Air Force One and Two when the nation's leaders are aboard.[265]

While Roanoke is known for its rail history, low ridership numbers led Amtrak to discontinue passenger rail service to the city in 1979.[266] Beginning in 2011, Roanoke funded a bus service, the Smart Way Connector, to connect riders to the Amtrak station in Lynchburg as well as to show Amtrak that there was once again a demand for the service in Roanoke.[267] In August 2013, it was announced that Amtrak's Northeast Regional service would be extended from Lynchburg by 2017. On October 31, 2017, after 38 years without passenger rail service, Amtrak resumed service to Roanoke.[268] The service has been successful enough that a second daily train to Roanoke was added in 2022.[269]

 
The N&W 611 waiting at Roanoke station in 2017

Despite Norfolk Southern's relocation of its corporate headquarters out of the city, Roanoke is still a major hub in the company's freight rail system.[90] The railway's Pocahontas Division, consisting of over 2,500 miles of track, is headquartered just outside of downtown Roanoke,[270] and though the volume of coal passing through the city has declined in recent decades, 70 million tons of freight are shipped on the area's railroads annually.[44][271]

The Valley Metro provides bus service to the city of Roanoke and surrounding areas. In June 2023, the service began operating out of a new facility on Third Street in downtown Roanoke, built to replace the aging Campbell Court station.[272] Valley Metro also offers bus service to Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Virginia Tech via its Smart Way service,[273] as well as the Ferrum Express, a free shuttle that runs between downtown Roanoke and Ferrum College in nearby Rocky Mount.[274]

The 21st century has seen Roanoke put considerable resources towards improving its cycling infrastructure. In addition to its extensive paved greenway network, Roanoke has added 43 miles of marked bike lanes along its major roads.[275] In recent years, the city has put millions of dollars towards pedestrian safety improvements, including lane reductions on busy roads, audible signals, and additional street lighting.[276] Roanoke is served by RIDE Solutions, a regional transportation demand management agency that provides carpool matching, cycling advocacy, transit assistance and remote work assistance to businesses and citizens in the region.[277]

Utilities edit

Roanoke is supplied electricity by the Appalachian Power Company, an American Electric Power division. Appalachian Power serves roughly 500,000 people in Western Virginia and another 500,000 in West Virginia and Tennessee.[278] The area's water and wastewater operations are managed by the Western Virginia Water Authority. That organization was founded in 2004 with the consolidation of the water utilities of Roanoke City and Roanoke County, under the logic that the location of watersheds should determine the management of local resources rather than government boundaries.[279] The Water Authority has since taken on the water-based utilities of Franklin and Botetourt Counties as well as the towns of Boones Mill and Vinton.[279]

Healthcare edit

Roanoke is the primary center for healthcare in Western Virginia, serving an estimated one million people.[280] Carilion Clinic, a non-profit healthcare group, is the region's largest provider with over 750 physicians spread across eight hospitals.[94] The region is also served by the Lewis-Gale Medical Center, a 521-bed facility established in Roanoke in 1911 and now located in Salem,[280][9]: 309  as well as a Veterans Affairs Medical Center serving over 100,000 military veterans in the region, also located in Salem.[280]

Notable people edit

Main article: List of people from Roanoke, Virginia

Sister cities edit

Roanoke has six sister cities:[281]

In February 2023, it was announced that the city was officially pausing its sister city affiliation with Pskov, Russia due to the continuing Russian invasion of Ukraine.[282]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "List of 2020 Census Urban Areas". census.gov. United States Census Bureau. from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Roanoke Virginia". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ^ "QuickFacts Roanoke city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  7. ^ Rouse, Jr., Parke (1973). The Great Wagon Road: From Philadelphia to the South. McGraw-Hill Book Company. ISBN 978-0-07-054101-6.
  8. ^ Otto, Paul (2017). ""This is that which...they call Wampum" Europeans Coming to Terms With Native Shell Beads". Faculty Publications - Department of History, Politics, and International Studies (77).
  9. ^ a b c d Kagey, Deedie (1988). When Past is Prologue: A History of Roanoke County. Roanoke County Sesquicentennial Committee. p. 7.
  10. ^ a b Griffin, James B. (1942). "On the Historic Location of the Tutelo and the Mohetan in the Ohio Valley". American Anthropologist. 44 (2): 275–280. doi:10.1525/aa.1942.44.2.02a00080. ISSN 0002-7294.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Barnes, Raymond P. (1968). A History of the City of Roanoke. Commonwealth Press, Inc.
  12. ^ "History | Roanoke County, VA - Official Website". www.roanokecountyva.gov. from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p White, Clare (1982). Roanoke 1740-1982. Roanoke Valley Historical Society.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Dotson, Rand (2007). Roanoke, Virginia, 1882-1912: Magic City of the New South. The University of Tennessee Press / Knoxville. ISBN 978-1-57233-592-9.
  15. ^ Hill Studio (February 2004). "Historic Architectural Survey of and National Register Nominations for Roanoke Downtown Historic District" (PDF). (PDF) from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  16. ^ Piedmont, Donlan (1994). Peanut Soup and Spoonbread: An Informal History of Hotel Roanoke. Virginia Tech Real Estate Foundation, Inc. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-9617635-1-0.
  17. ^ City of Roanoke Planning Building and Development. "Gainsboro Neighborhood Plan - History". Roanoke Document Center. from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  18. ^ Shareef, Reginald (1996). The Roanoke Valley's African American Heritage: A Pictorial History. The Donning Company. ISBN 978-0-89865-962-7.
  19. ^ a b "Census of Population:1950". US Census Bureau. hdl:2027/umn.31951t00383932e. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  20. ^ Dybdahl, Pete (December 19, 2007). "Growing Pains". The Roanoke Times. p. 1.
  21. ^ "Crime of the Century". The Roanoke Times. February 2, 1901. p. 4.
  22. ^ "Men Worse Than Apes". The Roanoke Times. February 13, 1896. p. 3.
  23. ^ "Brutal Work at Staunton". The Roanoke Times. May 1, 1894. p. 1.
  24. ^ a b c d e Smith, Leslie F. (August 5, 1985). The Political Geography of Annexation--Roanoke, Virginia. Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertations (Thesis). from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  25. ^ Chittum, Matt (December 9, 2018). "Research district transforms Roanoke $50 million gift bolsters health campus that was years in the making". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  26. ^ Hammack, Laurence; Hunter, Molly (March 26, 2023). "Past pollution a present concern for Riverdale plans". The Roanoke Times.
  27. ^ "Colorful Crowd Attends Dedication of Stadium". The Roanoke Times. November 27, 1942. p. 1.
  28. ^ a b c Cox, Ray (February 9, 2015). "Military Classic was Thanksgiving fare". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  29. ^ "Roanoke Star in Virginia's Blue Ridge". www.visitroanokeva.com. from the original on June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  30. ^ Berrier, Jr., Ralph (November 23, 2014). "Our star turns 65". The Roanoke Times. p. 1E.
  31. ^ a b The Roanoke Times Editorial Board (February 14, 2017). "A valentine for an astronaut". The Roanoke Times. p. 5B.
  32. ^ Fabris, Casey (January 2, 2021). "Roanoke developer dies at 93". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  33. ^ "Two Firms Will Share Managing Duties". The Roanoke Times. October 8, 1961. p. 58.
  34. ^ Cockerham, Amy (April 7, 2023). "Roanoke County's Tanglewood Mall under new ownership". WSLS. from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  35. ^ Codispoti, Amanda (September 8, 2013). "Changes under way at Valley View Mall". The Roanoke Times. p. 1.
  36. ^ Codispoti, Amanda (June 9, 2013). "Making the Star City the right fit". The Roanoke Times. p. 1.
  37. ^ a b c d Bishop, Mary (January 29, 1995). "Urban Renewal's Untold Stories". The Roanoke Times & World News. Special Section. from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  38. ^ Chittum, Matt (August 14, 2005). "When segregation ruled the streets". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  39. ^ Adams, Mason (August 31, 2008). "Troubled legacy". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  40. ^ Campagna, Mary E. (July 26, 2017). "Sale of Dumas is a stab wound to the heart". The Roanoke Times. p. 9B.
  41. ^ Adams, Mason (August 8, 2008). "Residents argue for renewal program". The Roanoke Times. p. 5B.
  42. ^ a b c Lowe, Cody (November 7, 1999). "Our past 100 years". The Roanoke Times. p. 1.
  43. ^ "Railroad company Norfolk Southern is moving its headquarters from Norfolk to Atlanta". The Florida Times-Union. from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  44. ^ a b c "Editorial: End of an era for Roanoke". The Roanoke Times. May 18, 2020. p. 5A.
  45. ^ Sturgeon, Jeff (December 21, 2018). "Norfolk Southern to repay grant". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  46. ^ a b Rife, Luanne (January 30, 2020). "Economists say Carilion adds $3.2B to Va.'s economy". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  47. ^ a b Rife, Luanne (May 3, 2019). "Graduation marks college's evoltion: Jefferson College hosts final graduation before merger with Radford". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  48. ^ a b Chittum, Matt (August 30, 2019). "Mayor praises city's ethic of 'hard work'". The Roanoke Times. p. 1D.
  49. ^ "Editorial: The valley's success story". The Roanoke Times. March 28, 2021. p. 5B.
  50. ^ "A consequential decade". The Roanoke Times. December 30, 2019. p. 50B.
  51. ^ "Five lessons from the census". The Roanoke Times. August 17, 2021. p. 7A.
  52. ^ Williamson III, John B. (April 22, 2004). "Move Roanoke forward, not backward". The Roanoke Times. p. 9B.
  53. ^ "Mountains - Blue Ridge Parksway". nps.gov. National Park Service. January 14, 2021.
  54. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  55. ^ "Roanoke River Greenway – Greenways". from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  56. ^ "Mill Mountain Park (including Star Trail)". dwr.virginia.gov. from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  57. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions - Blue Ridge Parkway (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  58. ^ Holland, Rebecca (August 21, 2014). "Naturefest". The Roanoke Times. p. 1E.
  59. ^ Chumney, Richard (August 27, 2018). "Annual NatureFest celebrates biodiversity at Peaks of Otter". The Roanoke Times. p. 4C.
  60. ^ "Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve". www.dcr.virginia.gov. from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  61. ^ "Hiking the Appalachian Trail". www.visitroanokeva.com. from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  62. ^ "Roanoke Mountain Blue Ridge Parkway VA | Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks". from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  63. ^ "The 100 Largest City Parks in the US (Update for 2022) | Infoplease". www.infoplease.com. from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  64. ^ "» Smith Mountain Lake". roanokeoutside.com. from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  65. ^ "George Washington & Jefferson National Forests - Virginia's Blue Ridge". www.visitroanokeva.com. from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  66. ^ "Outdoor Adventures in Virginia's Blue Ridge". www.visitroanokeva.com. from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  67. ^ Roanoke City Planning (June 23, 2023). "About Our City" (PDF). from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  68. ^ Roanoke City Planning (June 23, 2023). "Roanoke, Virginia Comprehensive Plan Vision 2001-2020" (PDF). from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  69. ^ Planning Building and Economic Development, Roanoke City (May 21, 2007). "Greater Raleigh Court Neighborhood Plan" (PDF). from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  70. ^ "Historic Registers Archive". DHR. from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  71. ^ "Roanoke, Virginia". WorldAtlas. September 22, 2022. from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  72. ^ United States Department of Agriculture. . United States National Arboretum. Archived from the original on March 3, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  73. ^ a b c d e "NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  74. ^ a b c d "Station: Roanoke RGNL AP, VA". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  75. ^ Ballisty, Tim (January 14, 2013). . weather.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  76. ^ "1890 snowstorm one of biggest events in Roanoke's weather history". www.roanoke.com. from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  77. ^ Myatt, Kevin (September 24, 2014). "Last big Roanoke flood was decade ago". The Roanoke Times. p. 3B.
  78. ^ Myatt, Kevin (May 23, 2020). "It rained a long time, but not all that hard". The Roanoke Times. p. 3A.
  79. ^ Myatt, Kevin (October 14, 2020). "Wettest year to date likely won't uproot 2018". The Roanoke Times. p. 2B.
  80. ^ Myatt, Kevin (January 2, 2019). "Soggy year sets high-water mark". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  81. ^ Myatt, Kevin (August 14, 2014). "What was the worst hurricane to affect Southwest Virginia?". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  82. ^ Beagle, Ben (November 5, 1995). "When the waters killed - The flood of '85 lives on in the memories of those who survived". The Roanoke Times. p. 1G.
  83. ^ Chittum, Matt (September 13, 2018). "Rains to test flood reduction plan". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  84. ^ "Census of Population: 1980". US Census Bureau. from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  85. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  86. ^ a b "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Roanoke city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  87. ^ a b c d "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Roanoke city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  88. ^ "S0601: Selected Characteristics of the Total and Native Populations of the United States - Roanoke city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  89. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Roanoke city, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  90. ^ a b c Sturgeon, Jeff (March 29, 2020). "Roanoke region will see sharp but short economic decline, economist predicts". The Roanoke Times. p. E.
  91. ^ . Norfolk Southern. Archived from the original on June 23, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  92. ^ Piester, Rick (2013). "The History of Healthcare in the Roanoke Valley". Our Health. Salem, Virginia: McClintic Media, Inc. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  93. ^ "The First Ten Years". medicine.vtc.vt.edu. from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  94. ^ a b Carilion Clinic. "Fast Facts 2020 At a Glance". https://www.carilionclinic.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/carilion_ar_2020_factsheet_210601_0_0.pdf July 31, 2023, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  95. ^ Rife, Luanne (October 22, 2017). "The catalyst for innovation". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  96. ^ Codispoti, Amanda (March 25, 2012). "Marketing the great outdoors". The Roanoke Times. p. 1.
  97. ^ "» About". roanokeoutside.com. from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  98. ^ Eshelman, Pete; Marston, Brett (June 12, 2021). "Ironman shows region's success". The Roanoke Times. p. 2B.
  99. ^ a b c "Leading Employers". Roanoke Regional Partnership. from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  100. ^ Petska, Alicia (October 1, 2022). "Yokohama Tire union in Salem ratifies a new contract". The Roanoke Times. p. 2A.
  101. ^ "Volvo plant builds more electric trucks". The Roanoke Times. April 13, 2022. p. 1K.
  102. ^ Fabris, Casey (January 31, 2020). "Truck manufacturing plant coming to Roanoke County". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  103. ^ Petska, Alicia (October 23, 2022). "Manufacturer now zero-waste facility". The Roanoke Times. p. 1C.
  104. ^ Adams, Duncan (June 19, 2014). "Altec expansion to add 200 jobs". The Roanoke Times. p. 8A.
  105. ^ Wall, Sam (April 27, 2022). "Roanoke County plant to play key role in night vision innovation". The Roanoke Times. p. 3E.
  106. ^ Petska, Alicia (April 10, 2022). "Business Intel: Luna Innovations". The Roanoke Times. p. 4C.
  107. ^ "Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2022". roanokeva.gov. City of Roanoke. from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  108. ^ a b Allen, Mike (July 12, 2019). "Arts & Extras: Building a frame for Roanoke's arts programs". The Roanoke Times. p. 2A.
  109. ^ "Trinkle supports the arts". The Roanoke Times. February 12, 2016. p. 7B.
  110. ^ Morrill, Chris (April 8, 2012). "A vibrant city evolves purposefully". The Roanoke Times. p. 1.
  111. ^ Allen, Mike (January 19, 2008). "Center of attention". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  112. ^ a b Square, Center in the. "Center in the Square". Center in the Square. from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  113. ^ a b Kittredge, Kevin (November 2, 2008). "Could art museum prompt a downtown transformation?". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  114. ^ "Advance Auto Parts, Inc. - Our Story". corp.advanceautoparts.com. from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  115. ^ Kittredge, Kevin (February 7, 2008). "New art museum to carry Taubman name". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  116. ^ "Editorial: New art show brings choice masterworks to Southwest Virginia". The Roanoke Times. October 7, 2022. p. 7A.
  117. ^ Schultz, Robert (July 20, 2008). "Inside the art museum". The Roanoke Times. p. 1.
  118. ^ Podger, Pamela J. (December 29, 2007). "With Bold Museum, a Virginia City Aims for Visibility". The New York Times. ProQuest 433734189. from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  119. ^ Allen, Mike (October 15, 2009). "Architect wins award for Taubman". The Roanoke Times. p. 8A.
  120. ^ Heilman, Christian (August 28, 2018). "Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke named best designed museum in Virginia". WDBJ7. from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  121. ^ Miller, Kenneth (2000). Norfolk and Western Class J: The Finest Steam Passenger Locomotive. Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society. ISBN 978-0-615-11664-8.
  122. ^ Allen, Mike (June 14, 2019). "New transportation museum director trades cowboy hat for engineer's cap". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  123. ^ Allen, Mike (April 1, 2014). "Historic engine 611 to get its old steam back". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  124. ^ "VMT - Norfolk & Western J Class #611". www.vmt.org. from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  125. ^ Jackson, Todd (December 19, 1998). "Ex-Wasena Park rocket to land downtown". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  126. ^ "About the Virginia Museum of Transportation". www.vmt.org. from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  127. ^ Henry, Geoffrey B. (April 2012). "Norfolk & Western Railway Freight Station Final Nomination" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  128. ^ Koomen, Christina (March 21, 2023). "The Art of Place features railroad line, local artists". The Roanoke Times. p. 8B.
  129. ^ Harnesberger, Douglas J.; Kraus, Nancy (July 1998). "Norfolk & Western Railway Company Historic District Final Nomination" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  130. ^ "About Us". Berglund Center. from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  131. ^ Dickens, Tad (January 11, 2023). "Old Crow Medicine Show returns to Roanoke". The Roanoke Times. p. 3A.
  132. ^ Dickens, Tad (May 27, 2021). "From the lips of the Berglund: Hinder returning to Roanoke". The Roanoke Times. p. 2A.
  133. ^ Helms-Beckner, Alexis (April 11, 2022). "Out & About: 'Cats' at Berglund theater". The Roanoke Times. p. 8B.
  134. ^ Allen, Mike (May 19, 2019). "Cornershot: Broadway in Roanoke unveils 2019-20 performance season". The Roanoke Times. p. 1E.
  135. ^ Dickens, Tad (July 7, 2022). "Brian Regan, Scythian, Paul thorn, 4848 Fest Top Tickets". The Roanoke Times. p. 8B.
  136. ^ "Comedy double-bill set for Roanoke". The Roanoke Times. July 19, 2022. p. 8B.
  137. ^ Mouketo, Julia (June 27, 2022). "Ashburn woman wins Miss Virginia crown". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  138. ^ "Miss Virginia names more preliminary winners". The Roanoke Times. June 24, 2017. p. 2A.
  139. ^ "In My Hands". Roanoke, VA. from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  140. ^ "Roanoke Arts Commission". Roanoke Arts Commission. from the original on August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  141. ^ "Jefferson Center - Roanoke's Premier Performing Arts and Cultural Center". www.jeffcenter.org. from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  142. ^ Kittredge, Kevin (April 29, 2001). "Curtain up!". The Roanoke Times. p. 1.
  143. ^ "Jefferson Center - Roanoke's Premier Performing Arts and Cultural Center". www.jeffcenter.org. from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  144. ^ a b Hutkin, Erinn (November 5, 2006). "Music revives Dumas". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  145. ^ Fullilove, Mindy Thompson (2004). Root Shock: how tearing up city neighborhoods hurts America, and what we can do about it. One World/Ballantine Books. ISBN 978-0-345-45422-5.
  146. ^ Lewis, Annette (May 1, 2017). "Why Sell The Dumas, A Valuable Piece Of History". TAP. from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  147. ^ Blanton, Alison (June 2004). "Henry Street Historic District Final Nomination" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  148. ^ Kittredge, Kevin (April 16, 2010). "Mona Black was life of Mill Mountain Theatre". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A0.
  149. ^ Allen, Mike (October 17, 2018). "Mill Mountain Theatre announces 2019 season". The Roanoke Times. p. 1E.
  150. ^ Allen, Mike (June 26, 2020). "Showtimers to explore new ways to reach out after canceling 70th season". The Roanoke Times. p. 2A.
  151. ^ a b PAllen, Mike (August 18, 2019). "Roanoke Children's Theatre opens new chapter". The Roanoke Times. p. 1E.
  152. ^ "Opera Roanoke scores a US premiere". The Roanoke Times. October 28, 2021. p. 6A.
  153. ^ "Opera Roanoke". www.virginia.org. from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  154. ^ Staplefoote, Liz (September 4, 2018). "Roanoke Has a Lot to Celebrate". TheRoanoker.com. from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  155. ^ "Venues & Locations". Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  156. ^ "Roanoke Valley Area". Blue Ridge Parkway. Asheville: Blue Ridge Parkway Association. from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  157. ^ "Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains". www.visitroanokeva.com. from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  158. ^ Dashiell, Joe (May 10, 2023). "Roanoke considers restoration or replacement of Mill Mountain Star". WDBJ7. from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  159. ^ Berrier, Jr., Ralph (March 15, 2019). "Mill Mountain Zoo earns accreditation from national zoo association". The Roanoke Times. p. 3B.
  160. ^ "Mill Mountain Zoo | Roanoke, VA 24014". www.visitroanokeva.com. from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  161. ^ a b Weidman, Gregory (May 1972). "St. Andrews Roman Catholic Church Final Nomination" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  162. ^ "128-0025 Hotel Roanoke". www.dhr.virginia.gov. from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  163. ^ "About Our Southwest Virginia Hotel | Historic Downtown Hotel Roanoke". www.hotelroanoke.com. from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  164. ^ Giles, Leslie A.; Kern, John R. (September 1995). "Hotel Roanoke Final Nomination" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  165. ^ "History of the Market | Farmer's Market | Explore | Downtown Roanoke". www.downtownroanoke.org. from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  166. ^ Struzzi, Diane (June 16, 1994). "Things look up for firehouse". The Roanoke Times. p. 1C.
  167. ^ "128-0033 Fire Station No. 1". www.dhr.virginia.gov. from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  168. ^ Petska, Alicia (September 24, 2022). "First Station No. 1, downtown Roanoke historic landmark, has new calling". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  169. ^ Berrier, Jr., Ralph (November 12, 2020). "Texas Tavern sign auction raised $5,085 for Tudor House". The Roanoke Times. p. 2B.
  170. ^ Friedenberger, Amy (October 8, 2015). "Roanoke Valley aids flood victims in S.C.". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  171. ^ Nair, Lindsey (June 4, 2008). "The best of Burger Nation". The Roanoke Times. p. 1.
  172. ^ Sampson, Anne (March 10, 2022). "Hooves o' the Irish: Budweiser Clydesdales to march in St. Patrick's Day Parade". The Roanoke Times. p. 2T.
  173. ^ Sturgeon, Jeff (April 15, 2018). "Thousands show Pride, colors at spring festival". The Roanoke Times. p. 1C.
  174. ^ Weir, Luke (May 22, 2022). "Flags, food downtown for Local Colors Festival". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  175. ^ "Standouts include Strawberry Festival, Great Strides fundraiser". The Roanoke Times. May 3, 2018. p. 1D.
  176. ^ Dickens, Tad (April 7, 2019). "Down by Downtown, Blue Ridge Marathon celebrate 10 years next week". The Roanoke Times. p. 1E.
  177. ^ Dickens, Tad (April 28, 2023). "For boomers about to rock: Festival in the Park goes the all-tribute route for '23". The Roanoke Times. p. 8B.
  178. ^ a b Mouketo, Julia (September 16, 2022). "Henry Street Festival returns to Elmwood in full force". The Roanoke Times. p. 8B.
  179. ^ Wall, Sam (September 21, 2021). "GO Fest ready to rock, roll at new downtown location". The Roanoke Times. p. 8B.
  180. ^ Berrier, Jr., Ralph (December 3, 2021). "Dickens of a Christmas returning to downtown". The Roanoke Times. p. 10B.
  181. ^ "Editorial: Our NBA dreams 50 years ago". The Roanoke Times. February 5, 2021. p. 6A.
  182. ^ Goldaper, Sam (August 1, 1973). "Nets Get Erving From Squires for Carter, Cash and…Dr. J Coming Home To Do His Aerial Act". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  183. ^ McFarling, Aaron (June 19, 2017). "Salem salutes baseball bond". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  184. ^ a b "Salem Baseball History". MiLB.com. from the original on June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  185. ^ Berman, Mark (March 2, 2022). "Former Salem baseball team owner Kelvin Bowles dies at 82". The Roanoke Times. p. 3E.
  186. ^ a b c Berman, Mark (October 21, 2015). "Star City slap shot". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  187. ^ a b "Pro Hockey in the Roanoke Valley". The Roanoke Times. July 21, 2004. p. 5A.
  188. ^ Waugh, Katrina (July 21, 2004). "ECHL ends Express franchise". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  189. ^ Sordelett, Damien (May 2, 2023). "Jansen's overtime winner lifts Rail Yard Dawgs to President's Cup title". The Roanoke Times. from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  190. ^ "Men's Basketball History vs University of Virginia". Virginia Tech Athletics. from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  191. ^ Bogaczyk, Jack (January 25, 2000). "Campus sites will heat up state rivalry". The Roanoke Times. p. 6B.
  192. ^ Ayers, Glenn (November 26, 2009). "A Roanoke Thanksgiving that is no more". The Roanoke Times. p. 25A.
  193. ^ a b Wall, Sam (April 17, 2022). "Running back into its old form: Roanoke marathon circles back to pre-pandemic form, crowds". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  194. ^ Boone, Jenny Kincaid (August 13, 2009). "New marathon rising in Roanoke". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  195. ^ Wall, Sam (June 18, 2023). "USA Cycling national championships close in downtown Roanoke". The Roanoke Times. p. 3A.
  196. ^ Sturgeon, Jeff (June 5, 2023). "Final splash for Ironman? Ironman athletes swim, bike, and run across the Roanoke Valley". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  197. ^ Roanoke Parks and Recreation. "About Us". Roanoke Parks And Recreation. from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  198. ^ Bradburn, Bridget (March 28, 2011). "Magnolia in Elmwood has Japanese heritage". The Roanoke Times. p. 5B.
  199. ^ Roanoke Parks and Recreation. "Elmwood Park". Roanoke Parks And Recreation. from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  200. ^ "Roanoke Valley Greenways". www.visitroanokeva.com. Virginia's Blue Ridge. from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  201. ^ Nolen, John (1907). Remodeling Roanoke: A report to the committee on civic improvement by John Nolen, Landscape Architect (Report). from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  202. ^ "History – Greenways". greenways.org. Pathfinders for Greenways. from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  203. ^ "Roanoke Valley Greenways". www.virginia.org. from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  204. ^ Dehr, Cooper (July 29, 2023). "'Bridge the Gap' connects Roanoke greenway to Salem". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  205. ^ "Roanoke County to hold meetings on extending greenway; more . . ". Cardinal News. October 19, 2022. from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  206. ^ Shipley, Kaylee (August 26, 2023). "Roanoke Parks & Recreation to host a celebration on National Public Lands Day". wset.com. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  207. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. from the original on February 22, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  208. ^ "Editorial: The monuments come down". The Roanoke Times. July 3, 2020. p. 11A.
  209. ^ a b c Cramer, John D. (May 16, 1999). "A look at the men behind the curtain". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  210. ^ Chittum, Matt (August 19, 2018). "Striking the right balance". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  211. ^ a b c "Roanoke City Charter". Article §4, charter of 2023. Virginia General Assembly. July 18, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
  212. ^ Sturgeon, Jeff (October 3, 2022). "Should council return to ward system? Roanoke City Council candidates on a ward system for council and an elected school board". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  213. ^ "Sherman Lea sworn in as Roanoke's mayor". Go Dan River. from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  214. ^ Berrier, Jr., Ralph (November 4, 2020). "Lea wins second term as Roanoke mayor". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  215. ^ "City Manager | Roanoke, VA". www.roanokeva.gov. from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  216. ^ "Joseph L. Cobb | Roanoke, VA". www.roanokeva.gov. from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  217. ^ "Budget Development | Roanoke, VA". www.roanokeva.gov. from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  218. ^ City of Roanoke (June 20, 2023). FY 2023-2024 Adopted Budget Document (PDF) (Report). p. 22. from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  219. ^ "Virginia House of Delegates Member Listings". virginiageneralassembly.gov. from the original on July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  220. ^ "Senate of Virginia". apps.senate.virginia.gov. from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  221. ^ Hammack, Laurence (February 28, 2023). "John Edwards decides not to seek another term as Roanoke senator". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  222. ^ "About". Congressman Ben Cline. US House of Representatives. January 3, 2021. from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  223. ^ Chittum, Matt (March 4, 2020). "Roanoke and Blacksburg voters 'make some changes'". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  224. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. from the original on February 22, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  225. ^ "Roanoke College". Roanoke.edu. from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  226. ^ . hollins.edu. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  227. ^ . Vtnews.vt.edu. Virginia Tech. January 3, 2007. Archived from the original on June 2, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2009.
  228. ^ Rife, Luanne (April 23, 2019). "Radford University will seek to double number of nursing students after merger with Jefferson College". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  229. ^ Jones, Sarah Bruyn (September 28, 2008). "Va. Tech Carilion Medical School taking shape". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A0.
  230. ^ Wall, Sam (October 12, 2019). "Radford University hires first health sciences provost". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  231. ^ Edwards, John S. (August 19, 2020). "Twenty years of the Roanoke Higher Education Center". The Roanoke Times. p. 51B.
  232. ^ "About the Center". Roanoke Higher Education Center. from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  233. ^ Adkins, Andrew (February 21, 2019). "Education Notebook: Hollins University, Virginia Western announce guaranteed admission agreements". The Roanoke Times. p. 2B.
  234. ^ Adkins, Andrew (July 20, 2018). "Virginia Western, Averett reach deal linking criminal justice programs". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  235. ^ Mattingly, Justin (May 22, 2020). "ECPI University reopens campuses, will take temperatures as people enter buildings". The Roanoke Times. p. 2B.
  236. ^ "Official website of Roanoke City Public Schools". rcps.info. from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  237. ^ "Patrick Henry High". Virginia School Quality Profiles. June 28, 2023. from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  238. ^ "William Fleming High". Virginia School Quality Profiles. June 28, 2023. from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  239. ^ . Roanokecatholic.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2009.
  240. ^ Hammack, Laurence (April 24, 2015). "School celebrates 125 years of being 'a light on the hill'". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  241. ^ McCallum, Annie (March 20, 2013). "Roanoke school halves its tuition fee". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  242. ^ McClenney, Elizabeth G. "Research Guides: Virginia Newspapers: Home". libguides.roanoke.edu. from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  243. ^ US Securities and Exchange Commission (September 25, 2022). Lee Enterprises, Inc. Form 10-K (Report). April 14, 2023, at the Wayback Machine". investors.lee.net. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  244. ^ Richmond Times-Dispatch (March 27, 2020). "Lee Enterprises completes acquisition of The Roanoke Times and other newspapers". The Roanoke Times. p. 6B.
  245. ^ Woods, Charlotte Rene (October 20, 2022). "Virginia receives first $67 million from Johnson & Johnson opioid settlement". The Roanoke Times. p. 4A.
  246. ^ "About us". Cardinal News. from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  247. ^ "The Roanoke Star News". The Roanoke Star News. July 20, 2023. from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  248. ^ "Our History". Roanoke Tribune. from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  249. ^ Fifer, Jordan (February 2, 2014). "Black women honored for legacy to Roanoke". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  250. ^ Boone, Jenny Kincaid (February 9, 2008). "Selling Roanoke". The Roanoke Times. p. 8C.
  251. ^ "Nielsen DMA Rankings 2023". ustvdb.com. from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  252. ^ "WSLS 10 News". wsls.com. WSLS. from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  253. ^ "WDBJ: Virginia Local News, Weather, Sports". WDBJ7.com. WDBJ. from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  254. ^ "WFXR News Homepage". WFXRtv.com. from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  255. ^ "Home". Blue Ridge PBS. from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  256. ^ Berrier, Jr., Ralph. "Jones Broadcasting moving to Roanoke." Roanoke Times, The (VA), July 21, 2012: A8.
  257. ^ "Radio Market Survey Population, Rankings & Information" (PDF). Nielsen. The Nielsen Company. (PDF) from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  258. ^ "Roanoke Stations | iHeartMedia Stations | iHeartMedia". www.iheartmedia.com. from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  259. ^ a b Fabris, Casey (July 28, 2020). "Black Dog Salvage owners leave the TV limelight after 11 seasons of 'Salvage Dawgs'". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  260. ^ Sturgeon, Jeff (June 20, 2019). "Diverging-diamond interchange planned for Tanglewood exit in 2028". The Roanoke Times. p. 1B.
  261. ^ McDaniel, Brenda (June 30, 2016). "Williamson Road: Roanoke's Historic Strip". TheRoanoker.com. from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  262. ^ "Parkway in Virginia". Nps.gov. from the original on September 1, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2009.
  263. ^ "About us – Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport". flyroa.com. May 12, 2014. from the original on January 16, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  264. ^ "Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport | Roanoke Transportation". www.visitroanokeva.com. from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  265. ^ Kojima, Emi (May 5, 2002). "Roanoke's patriotic duty - Air Force pilots sharpen skills at Roanoke Regional Airport". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  266. ^ Sturgeon, Jeff (July 22, 2008). "Can passenger rail return to Roanoke?". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  267. ^ Sturgeon, Jeff (October 31, 2017). "Amtrak is back: Amtrak returns to Roanoke". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  268. ^ Wickline, Alison. . www.wsls.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  269. ^ Sturgeon, Jeff (July 12, 2022). "Roanoke Amtrak expansion rolling: Significant ridership increase predicted". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  270. ^ Jordan, Greg (January 13, 2016). "Norfolk Southern consolidates Pocahontas Division moving headquarters to Roanoke, Va". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  271. ^ Sturgeon, Jeff (February 9, 2019). "Impasse fueling rail advocates: Rail advocate to try again as I-81 road measures lack support". The Roanoke Times. p. 1C.
  272. ^ Dehr, Cooper (June 15, 2023). "A 'great day' for transportation: Roanoke's new bus station a 'vision of where transportation is going'". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.
  273. ^ "Smart Bus | Smart Way Bus". smartwaybus.com. from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  274. ^ "Transportation | Rocky Mount, VA". va-rockymount.civicplus.com. from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  275. ^ Casey, Dan (September 22, 2022). "New safe-cycling group rolls out". The Roanoke Times. p. 2A.
  276. ^ Ruhlen, Rachel (June 27, 2021). "Less traffic, more crashes". The Roanoke Times. p. 6B.
  277. ^ Holland, Monique (March 12, 2023). "Shared transportation: RIDE Solutions connects carpoolers, van-users and more". Martinsville Bulletin. from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  278. ^ Hammack, Laurence (September 24, 2022). "APCO appoints a new president". The Roanoke Times. p. 9B.
  279. ^ a b "History of the Authority | Western Virginia Water Authority". www.westernvawater.org. from the original on July 26, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  280. ^ a b c "Health Care | Roanoke County Economic Development, VA". www.yesroanoke.com. from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  281. ^ "Home". Roanoke Valley Sister Cities. from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  282. ^ Hunter, Molly (February 22, 2023). "Sister City ties on hold: Roanoke's relationship with Russian city paused, flag to be removed". The Roanoke Times. p. 1A.

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge
  • Downtown Roanoke
  • Roanoke Regional Partnership
  • Roanoke Outside

February 25, 2024
roanoke, virginia, this, article, about, virginia, city, colonization, attempt, north, carolina, island, roanoke, colony, roanoke, nohk, independent, city, state, virginia, located, southwest, virginia, along, roanoke, river, blue, ridge, range, greater, appal. This article is about the Virginia city For the colonization attempt of a North Carolina island see Roanoke Colony Roanoke ˈ r oʊ e ˌ n oʊ k ROH e nohk is an independent city in the U S state of Virginia It is located in Southwest Virginia along the Roanoke River in the Blue Ridge range of the greater Appalachian Mountains Roanoke is approximately 50 miles 80 km north of the Virginia North Carolina border and 250 miles 400 km southwest of Washington D C along Interstate 81 At the 2020 census Roanoke s population was 100 011 making it the largest city in Virginia west of the state capital Richmond 6 It is the primary population center of the Roanoke metropolitan area which had a population of 315 251 in 2020 Roanoke VirginiaIndependent cityCity of RoanokeClockwise from top Downtown Roanoke City market building St Andrew s Catholic Church Hotel Roanoke Roanoke StarFlagSealLogoNickname s The Star City of The South Magic City Star CityRoanokeLocation in VirginiaShow map of VirginiaRoanokeRoanoke the United States Show map of the United StatesCoordinates 37 16 14 N 79 56 33 W 37 27056 N 79 94250 W 37 27056 79 94250Country United StatesState VirginiaNamed forRoanoke RiverGovernment TypeCouncil manager MayorSherman P Lea Sr Vice MayorJoseph L CobbArea 1 Independent city42 85 sq mi 110 99 km2 Land42 52 sq mi 110 13 km2 Water0 33 sq mi 0 86 km2 Elevation 3 974 ft 297 m Population 2020 Independent city100 011 Rank326th in the United States8th in Virginia Density2 300 sq mi 900 km2 Urban217 312 US 177th 2 Urban density1 731 6 sq mi 668 6 km2 Metro315 251 US 163rd DemonymRoanokerTime zoneUTC 5 Eastern EST Summer DST UTC 4 EDT ZIP Codes24001 24020 24022 24038 24040 24042 24045 24048 24050 24155 24157 24012Area code s 540 826FIPS code51 77000 4 GNIS feature ID1499971 5 Websitewww roanokeva govThe Roanoke Valley was originally home to members of the Siouan speaking Tutelo tribe However in the 17th and early to mid 18th centuries Scotch Irish and later German American farmers gradually drove those Native Americans out of the area as the American frontier pressed westward In 1882 the Norfolk and Western Railway N amp W chose the small town of Big Lick as the site of its corporate headquarters and railroad shops Within two years the town had become the City of Roanoke With a 2 300 population growth rate in the decade from 1880 to 1890 the young city experienced the advantages and disadvantages of its boomtown status During the 20th century Roanoke s boundaries expanded through multiple annexations from the surrounding Roanoke County and it became Southwest Virginia s economic and cultural hub The 1982 decision by N amp W to relocate their headquarters out of the city combined with other manufacturing closures led Roanoke to pivot to a primarily service economy In the 21st century a robust healthcare industry and the development and increased marketing of its outdoor amenities have helped reverse prior declining population trends Roanoke is known for the Roanoke Star an 88 5 foot tall 27 0 m illuminated star that sits atop a mountain within the city s limits and is the origin of its nickname The Star City of the South Other points of interest include the Hotel Roanoke a 330 room Tudor Revival structure built by N amp W in 1882 the Taubman Museum of Art designed by architect Randall Stout and the city s farmer s market the oldest continuously operating open air market in the state The Roanoke Valley features 26 miles of greenways with bicycle and pedestrian trails and the city s location in the Blue Ridge Mountains provides access to numerous outdoor recreation opportunities Contents 1 History 1 1 Early history and incorporation 1 2 20th century present 2 Geography 2 1 Neighborhoods 2 2 Climate 3 Demographics 3 1 2020 census 3 2 2020 census 4 Economy 4 1 Top employers 5 Arts and culture 5 1 Museums 5 2 Arts 5 3 Points of interest 5 4 Festivals 6 Sports 7 Parks and recreation 8 Government 9 Education 10 Media 11 Infrastructure 11 1 Transportation 11 2 Utilities 11 3 Healthcare 12 Notable people 13 Sister cities 14 See also 15 References 16 External linksHistory editEarly history and incorporation edit The current site of Roanoke lies near the intersection of the Great Wagon Road and the Carolina Road two branches of a network of early colonial roads that developed from Native American trails in the Appalachian region 7 While the name Roanoke is said to have originated from a Native American word for shell beads used as currency 8 that word was first used 300 miles 480 km away where the Roanoke River empties into the Atlantic Ocean near Roanoke Island 9 The Roanoke Valley itself was originally home to members of the Tutelo tribe 9 10 a Siouan speaking people who were gradually pushed out of the area by advancing European settlers 10 Many of those settlers were Scotch Irish who arrived in the region during the 18th and early 19th centuries following the Plantation of Ulster 11 3 They were followed by significant numbers of Germans from Pennsylvania via the Great Wagon Road 11 3 9 By 1838 the area was populated enough that Roanoke County was created out of parts of Botetourt and Montgomery Counties 12 and the area s first railroad the Virginia and Tennessee arrived in 1852 13 49 The railroad built its new depot just south of a small town named Gainesborough but named the depot after Big Lick another small community located just to the east which itself was named after the salt deposits that had drawn game to the area for years 13 49 14 2 Gainesborough increasingly became referred to as Big Lick and later as Old Lick once development drifted farther south towards the depot 15 Growth in the area was stalled by the Civil War Roanoke County voted 850 0 in favor of secession and lost many of its men in the subsequent fighting 13 53 The burgeoning tobacco trade helped the region s recovery during Reconstruction Within a decade of the war s end there were no fewer than six tobacco factories near the Big Lick Depot 13 58 In 1874 the community surrounding the depot applied for and received a town charter and the Town of Big Lick was formally established 11 71 Eight years later efforts by town boosters succeeded in securing Big Lick as the junction of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad and the Norfolk and Western Railway N amp W 13 65 The two companies also relocated their respective headquarters to the town the two lines would officially merge in 1890 13 70 11 204 Big Lick s relatively small size compared to the nearby county seat Salem worked in its favor as a draw for the companies Big Lick s ample farmland and nearby water sources were well suited to the railroads goal of building much of the town from scratch including railroad shops offices a hotel and suitable housing for their many employees 11 86 14 8 nbsp Hotel Roanoke as it appeared in 1910 N amp W ordered an expansion to the hotel before the original structure was completed 16 In the early 1880s Big Lick s residents voted to rename the town Kimball after Frederick J Kimball an executive for the two railroad companies who played a significant role in their new location 14 10 Kimball turned down the honor saying On the Roanoke River in Roanoke County name it Roanoke 11 90 The town obliged officially becoming the Town of Roanoke on February 3 1882 13 65 The new charter also annexed nearly two and a half square miles of additional land including the Town of Gainesborough later shortened to Gainsboro which by that point had already become the center of the area s African American community 17 18 153 Kimball chose a wheat field north of the railroad tracks and east of Gainsboro for the N amp W s new hotel 13 66 and the 69 room Hotel Roanoke designed originally in the Queen Anne style before numerous rebuilds and expansions gave it its current Tudor Revival appearance opened its doors in 1882 14 12 With the rapid influx of railroad employees and others in associated industries Roanoke s population soared and by the end of 1883 had passed 5 000 13 71 That milestone made the town eligible for a city charter and on January 31 1884 the town became the City of Roanoke 11 135 With a population that ballooned from under 700 residents in 1880 to over 16 000 in 1890 19 and earning itself the nickname The Magic City in the process 14 1 Roanoke suffered many of the same difficulties that affected other 19th century boomtowns 20 Its infrastructure was essentially nonexistent and a lack of sewers combined with the area s marshy terrain contributed to regular outbreaks of diphtheria and cholera 14 37 Bond initiatives designed to alleviate these and other issues highlighted racial tensions in the city as the African American community roughly 30 percent of Roanoke s population in 1891 14 105 opposed the measures because the money would only be used to improve white neighborhoods 14 42 Black neighborhoods in Roanoke typically received public amenities such as running water and paved roads only after their white counterparts and Roanoke was among the first to adopt the Jim Crow laws that were becoming increasingly popular in the South 14 108 The local press for its part stoked the white population s fears and anxiety with near constant reports of African American savagery 14 125 21 22 23 In September 1893 tensions boiled over when a white woman was allegedly robbed and beaten by an African American man Thomas Smith near the city s market 13 78 Smith was held in the city jail a mob of hundreds surrounded the building and demanded lynch justice 14 135 A shootout between the mob and an undermanned militia ensued leaving eight dead and thirty one more injured Included among the wounded was the city s mayor the previously widely admired Henry S Trout 14 134 who had vowed protection of the prisoner 13 79 The rioting mob was eventually successful in gaining control of Smith They proceeded to hang him and mutilate his body which was eventually burned when the mob was deterred from its initial plan to bury it in Mayor Trout s front yard 14 140 The mayor himself was forced to flee the city out of fear for his life and only returned a week later after the national press condemned the riot and praised Trout s courage during the event 14 145 20th century present edit Despite these and other setbacks the city grew through the early 20th century both in area and population 13 84 24 In addition to the land gained in its 1882 town charter relatively unopposed annexations occurred five more times by 1926 though Roanoke County would become less agreeable to later attempts 24 Mill Mountain became a popular entertainment locale for early residents an observation tower and the Rockledge Inn each opened atop the mountain in 1892 11 250 Mountain Park an early amusement center complete with a casino and roller coaster opened at the foot of the mountain in 1903 11 205 and beginning in 1910 visitors could pay a quarter to ride an incline railway to the top of Mill Mountain and back 11 473 Another mainstay at the base of the mountain was Roanoke Memorial Hospital Completed in 1900 as Roanoke Hospital 11 341 the building has undergone many expansions and today is the flagship of the Carilion Clinic healthcare group 25 The hospital joined some manufacturing operations that were established along the banks of the Roanoke River in the early 20th century including the American Viscose Corporation 26 That company built a plant in 1917 that by a decade later employed 5 000 and was reportedly the largest rayon producing mill in the world 13 96 The city leased land for an airfield beginning in 1929 11 570 Still its development into the region s primary airport did not begin until its designation as a defense project provided federal funding in 1940 13 103 That same year N amp W donated the fairground Maher Field to the city to build a stadium and armory 13 103 Victory Stadium optimistically named upon its completion in 1942 27 played host to the annual Thanksgiving Day football game between Virginia Tech and Virginia Military Institute for years afterward 28 By the mid 20th century Roanoke was increasingly losing population and businesses to a Roanoke County that had become less rural and more suburban in nature and consequently more resistant to annexation attempts by the city 13 109 24 The city was nevertheless successful in annexing additional land in 1943 1949 three small acquisitions in 1965 1967 and 1968 and once more in 1976 24 The county won immunity from further annexations in 1980 but by then the city had grown from its original size of 0 5 square miles 1 3 km2 to 42 9 square miles 111 1 km2 24 nbsp The Roanoke Star is the origin of the city s nickname Star City of the South In 1949 the local merchants association erected an 88 5 foot tall 27 0 m illuminated star at the top of Mill Mountain in celebration of the upcoming Christmas shopping season 29 The star was an immediate hit among the city s population leading to its illumination year round and earning the city its nickname of Star City of the South 30 Despite the popularity boost for the merchants association shopping habits in Roanoke were becoming more fractured as suburban shopping centers drew patrons away from an increasingly vacant downtown 31 Crossroads Mall the first enclosed shopping center in Virginia 32 and Towers Mall at the time one of the largest shopping centers in the state 33 were each completed in 1961 31 In later years Tanglewood Mall 1973 34 and Valley View Mall 1985 35 contributed to Roanoke s status as the region s retail hub 36 Mid century change to the city came in the form of a massive urban renewal effort that saw the construction of both the Roanoke Civic Center now Berglund Center as well as an interstate spur into downtown Roanoke 37 Much of the land for these projects was in Northeast Roanoke a community of primarily African American citizens who had been largely redlined from the rest of the city 38 City officials gained the land through eminent domain and proceeded to clear over 1 000 buildings often through widescale burning 37 Later projects in the largely black Gainsboro neighborhood removed hundreds of homes and businesses there as well and late 20th and early 21st century revitalization efforts by the city s government have been met with distrust and varied success 37 39 40 41 The second half of the 20th century ushered in a change of identity for Roanoke 42 In 1982 the N amp W completed a merger with the Southern Railway to form the Norfolk Southern Railway which then relocated their headquarters from Roanoke to Norfolk Virginia 42 43 The company closed their regional headquarters in Roanoke in 2015 and in 2020 shuttered the locomotive shops 44 45 The railroad s departure and a string of manufacturing plant closures left a hole in the city s economic base 42 In 1987 however the merger of two of the area s largest hospitals created the forerunner of Carilion Clinic a medical group that is the largest employer in the state west of Richmond 46 The group s partnerships with Virginia Tech and Radford University have created two colleges and a research facility in what was formerly an industrial brownfield area but has since been termed the city s innovation corridor 47 48 These developments along with the city s decision to improve its parks and recreation amenities and market itself as an outdoor tourism hotspot have helped reverse its decades long loss of young adults 49 50 and in 2020 Roanoke s population passed 100 000 for the first time since 1980 51 Geography editRoanoke is the largest city in Virginia west of Richmond 52 and is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains a range which is part of the greater Appalachian Mountains 53 According to the United States Census Bureau the city has a total area of 42 9 square miles 111 1 km2 of which 42 5 square miles 110 1 km2 is land and 0 3 square miles 0 8 km2 0 8 is water 54 It is located in the center of the greater Roanoke Valley and is bisected by the Roanoke River which flows west to east through the city 55 Within the city limits is Mill Mountain a 1 700 foot tall 520 m mountain and 500 acre municipal park which stands detached from the surrounding ranges 56 nbsp The Blue Ridge Mountains get their distinctive color from isoprene produced by the trees 57 Roanoke s location in the Blue Ridge Mountains makes it proximate to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife 58 The area is home to at least 43 species of salamander 59 and the Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve in neighboring Roanoke County protects the world s largest collection of piratebush an exceedingly rare parasitic plant endemic to the Appalachians 60 Roanoke is the largest city along both the Appalachian Trail which runs through Roanoke County just north of the city 61 and the Blue Ridge Parkway which runs just south of the city 62 Carvins Cove the third largest municipal park in America at 12 700 acres 51 km2 lies in northeast Roanoke County and southwest Botetourt County 63 Smith Mountain Lake is several miles southeast of the city 64 and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are nearby 65 Outdoor pursuits in the region include hiking mountain biking cross country running canoeing kayaking fly fishing and disc golf 66 Neighborhoods edit Main article List of neighborhoods in Roanoke Virginia nbsp The Grandin Theatre located in Grandin VillageRoanoke is divided into 49 separate neighborhoods 67 The city has incorporated into its comprehensive plan the goal of developing these neighborhoods into villages each with their own village center and with the Downtown neighborhood acting as the village center for the city as a whole 68 The Raleigh Court neighborhood has been cited as a model for such development consisting of a variety of residential settings located around Grandin Village an active commercial hub anchored by the Grandin Theatre the city s only surviving historic theater 69 That commercial district is one of the city s eight neighborhoods or portions thereof that have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places 70 Climate edit Though located along the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations exceeding 900 ft 270 m Roanoke lies in the humid subtropical climate zone Koppen Cfa with four distinct but generally mild seasons 71 It is located in USDA hardiness zone 7b with the suburbs falling in zone 7a 72 Extremes in temperature have ranged from 105 F 41 C as recently as August 21 1983 down to 12 F 24 C on December 30 1917 However neither 100 F 38 C nor 0 F 18 C are reached in most years the most recent occurrence of each is July 20 2020 and February 20 2015 respectively 73 More typically the area records an average of 6 1 days where the temperature stays at or below freezing and 30 5 days with 90 F 32 C highs annually 73 74 The monthly mean temperature ranges from 37 9 F 3 3 C in January to 77 8 F 25 4 C in July 73 74 Based on the 1991 2020 period the city averages 14 8 inches 38 cm of snow per winter 74 Roanoke experienced a mild snow drought in the 2000s which ended in December 2009 when 17 inches 43 cm of snow fell on Roanoke in a single storm 75 Winter snowfall has ranged from trace amounts in 1918 19 and 1919 20 to 62 7 inches 159 cm in 1959 60 73 unofficially the largest single storm dumped approximately three feet 0 9 m from December 16 18 1890 76 Historically flooding has been the primary weather related hazard faced by Roanoke 77 Heavy rains most frequently from the remnants of a hurricane drain from surrounding areas to the narrow Roanoke Valley 78 The most recent significant flood was in the fall of 2018 when the remains of Hurricane Michael dumped over five inches of rain on the area in the span of only a few hours 79 80 The most severe flooding in the city s history occurred on November 4 1985 when heavy storms from Hurricane Juan stalled over the area 81 Ten people drowned in the Roanoke Valley and others were saved by rescue personnel 82 That incident prompted a major flood reduction effort completed in 2012 by the U S Army Corps of Engineers which has limited the damage caused by subsequent storms 83 Climate data for Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport Virginia 1991 2020 normals extremes 1912 present Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec YearRecord high F C 81 27 84 29 90 32 95 35 99 37 104 40 105 41 105 41 103 39 99 37 83 28 80 27 105 41 Mean maximum F C 67 2 19 6 70 3 21 3 78 5 25 8 85 7 29 8 89 5 31 9 93 6 34 2 95 8 35 4 94 5 34 7 91 2 32 9 84 6 29 2 76 0 24 4 68 3 20 2 96 9 36 1 Mean daily maximum F C 47 1 8 4 50 8 10 4 59 0 15 0 69 7 20 9 77 2 25 1 84 4 29 1 88 1 31 2 86 5 30 3 80 0 26 7 70 1 21 2 59 0 15 0 50 0 10 0 68 5 20 3 Daily mean F C 37 9 3 3 40 8 4 9 48 3 9 1 58 0 14 4 66 1 18 9 73 8 23 2 77 8 25 4 76 2 24 6 69 6 20 9 58 9 14 9 48 4 9 1 40 9 4 9 58 1 14 5 Mean daily minimum F C 28 7 1 8 30 8 0 7 37 6 3 1 46 3 7 9 55 0 12 8 63 2 17 3 67 4 19 7 66 0 18 9 59 1 15 1 47 8 8 8 37 7 3 2 31 8 0 1 47 6 8 7 Mean minimum F C 11 0 11 7 15 8 9 0 21 3 5 9 31 5 0 3 40 3 4 6 51 7 10 9 57 6 14 2 55 6 13 1 45 1 7 3 32 0 0 0 23 4 4 8 16 9 8 4 9 0 12 8 Record low F C 11 24 1 18 9 13 15 9 30 1 36 2 47 8 42 6 32 0 22 6 8 13 12 24 12 24 Average precipitation inches mm 3 17 81 2 89 73 3 51 89 3 49 89 4 31 109 4 66 118 4 28 109 3 37 86 4 06 103 2 96 75 3 04 77 3 08 78 42 82 1 088 Average snowfall inches cm 4 3 11 4 8 12 2 3 5 8 0 1 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 25 3 2 8 1 14 8 38 Average precipitation days 0 01 in 9 5 9 5 11 1 10 7 12 4 12 2 11 7 9 7 9 0 7 7 7 8 9 2 120 5Average snowy days 0 1 in 2 0 2 2 1 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 7 1Source NOAA 73 74 Demographics editHistorical population CensusPop Note 1880669 189016 1592 315 4 190021 49533 0 191034 87462 2 192050 84245 8 193069 20636 1 194069 2870 1 195091 92132 7 196097 1105 6 197092 115 5 1 1980100 2208 8 199096 397 3 8 200094 911 1 5 201097 0322 2 2020100 0113 1 Sources 1880 1950 19 1960 1980 84 1990 2000 85 2010 86 2020 87 2020 census edit At the 2020 census there were 100 011 people residing in 44 411 households in the city 21 199 of which housed families The population density was 2 352 0 inhabitants per square mile 908 1 km2 The racial makeup of the city was 55 94 White 27 07 African American 0 21 Native American 2 46 Asian 0 04 Pacific Islander 0 52 from other races and 5 26 from two or more races Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8 48 of the population 87 Among the city s households 25 2 had children under the age of 18 living with them 30 4 were married couples living together while 37 4 had a female householder with no spouse or partner present In total 42 3 were non families 38 5 of all households were made up of individuals and 14 6 had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older 24 0 of the population were under the age of 20 and 17 9 who were 65 years of age or older The median age was 39 1 years 87 The median household income was 45 664 and the median family income was 55 345 The per capita income was 29 585 About 20 1 of the population were below the poverty line including 29 2 of those under age 18 and 12 3 of those age 65 or over 88 2020 census edit Roanoke city Virginia Racial and ethnic composition NH Non Hispanic Note the US Census treats Hispanic Latino as an ethnic category This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category Hispanics Latinos may be of any race Race Ethnicity Pop 2000 89 Pop 2010 86 Pop 2020 87 2000 2010 2020White alone NH 65 256 60 042 55 951 68 75 61 88 55 94 Black or African American alone NH 25 220 27 256 27 077 26 57 28 09 27 07 Native American or Alaska Native alone NH 178 198 211 0 19 0 20 0 21 Asian alone NH 1 088 1 676 2 462 1 15 1 73 2 46 Pacific Islander alone NH 21 36 42 0 02 0 04 0 04 Some Other Race alone NH 185 199 523 0 19 0 21 0 52 Mixed Race Multi Racial NH 1 558 2 280 5 261 1 64 2 35 5 26 Hispanic or Latino any race 1 405 5 345 8 484 1 48 5 51 8 48 Total 94 911 97 032 100 011 100 00 100 00 100 00 Economy editRoanoke s economy was long closely linked to its status as the headquarters for the Norfolk and Western Railway 14 As time progressed manufacturing and mining businesses contributed to the region s growth 90 After the N amp W s merger with the Southern Railway created the Norfolk Southern Railway in 1982 Norfolk Southern continued to operate maintenance facilities and a rail yard in Roanoke but moved its headquarters to Norfolk Virginia and in 2015 moved out of its downtown Roanoke office building 91 On May 18 2020 after 139 years of production Norfolk Southern shut down its locomotive shops and moved all operations to the Juniata Locomotive Shops in Altoona Pennsylvania 44 With Norfolk Southern s departure Roanoke s economy has since the mid 1990s shifted to become dominated by the healthcare industry 90 nbsp Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital has been expanded many times since its opening in 1900 As of 2023 update the city s top employer and the largest private employer west of Richmond 46 is Carilion Clinic which developed from the 1987 merger of two of the area s largest hospitals 92 The non profit group employs over 13 000 people It operates nine hospitals in Western Virginia along with public private partnerships with Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute 93 and Radford University Radford University Carilion 47 94 The clinic s expansions have spurred considerable development in the former brownfields located south of Roanoke s downtown 95 turning the once abandoned industrial sites into an area called the innovation corridor by the city 48 Another driving factor in the region s economy has been a push during the 21st century to market the area s outdoor recreation potential 96 The Roanoke Regional Partnership an economic development group representing the area s municipalities has created a division called the Roanoke Outside Foundation that seeks to recruit businesses and talent based on the strength of the region s natural amenities 97 The organization also puts on annual events such as the Blue Ridge Marathon and the GO Outside Festival 98 Other areas of strength in the region s economy include manufacturing and retail each comprising over ten percent of the valley s industry 99 Transportation manufacturers such as Yokohama Tire 100 Volvo 101 Mack Trucks 102 Metalsa 103 and Altec 104 contribute to the thousands of people employed in that field regionally 99 Night vision device makers Elbit Systems 105 and the fiber optics company Luna Innovations 106 are among the advanced manufacturers in the area 99 Top employers edit According to Roanoke s 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 107 the top employers in the city are Employer of Employees1 Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital 1 000 2 Roanoke City Public Schools 1 000 3 Carilion Services 1 000 4 United Parcel Service 1 000 5 City of Roanoke 500 to 9996 Walmart 500 to 9997 United States Postal Service 500 to 9998 Virginia Western Community College 500 to 9999 Anthem member of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association 500 to 99910 Steel Dynamics Roanoke Bar Division 500 to 999Arts and culture editServing as a hub for arts and culture in Southwest Virginia Roanoke is home to several museums and cultural institutions in addition to being the host of several festivals many centering around Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke 108 109 110 Museums edit Center in the Square an arts and culture organization located near downtown s historic market building and farmers market was developed alongside the city s Design 79 downtown revitalization effort and opened in 1983 111 The center located in a converted warehouse originally housed the city s arts council and museum history and science museums and the Mill Mountain Theatre 112 It has since expanded to five buildings providing rent free space to twelve institutions including the Science Museum of Western Virginia and Hopkins Planetarium the Harrison Museum of African American Culture and the Roanoke Pinball Museum 112 nbsp The Taubman Museum of ArtOne of the original tenants of Center in the Square the Art Museum of Western Virginia moved to a downtown Salem Avenue facility in 2008 113 The move was made with the help of a 15 2 million donation from Nicholas and Jenny Taubman whose family had established Advance Auto Parts in Roanoke in the 1930s 114 As a result the museum was renamed the Taubman Museum of Art 115 The art museum features 19th and 20th century American art contemporary and modern art decorative arts and works on paper 116 The 75 000 square foot 7 000 m2 facility was designed by Los Angeles based architect Randall Stout who earlier in his career worked under Frank Gehry 113 Though the building s avant garde design was controversial 117 118 it has since won international praise for its architecture 119 120 nbsp Jupiter Rocket outside the Virginia Museum of TransportationAlso located downtown is the Virginia Museum of Transportation which houses many locomotives that were built in Roanoke by the Norfolk amp Western Railway including the 1218 and 611 steam engines 121 122 A 2013 fundraising campaign led to the engine s refurbishment 123 and it now does tourist excursion runs when not home at the museum 124 In addition to its rail exhibits the museum also displays a US Army Jupiter rocket 125 and houses exhibits covering aviation as well as automobiles 126 The museum is located in the former Norfolk and Western freight depot which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places 127 The former Norfolk and Western Passenger Station hosts two museums the O Winston Link Museum dedicated to the late steam era railroad photography of O Winston Link and the History Museum of Western Virginia 128 Originally built in 1905 the station underwent a 1949 renovation in the Moderne style by designer Raymond Loewy and is one of four contributing structures to the Norfolk and Western Railway Company Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places 129 Arts edit The Berglund Performing Arts Theatre is a 2 150 seat venue within the larger Berglund Center complex 130 It regularly hosts concerts 131 132 touring Broadway theatre performances 133 134 stand up comedy shows 135 136 and the Miss Virginia pageant 137 138 The city s first permanent artwork funded by the Percent for Art ordinance a law stating that the city must set aside 1 of its capital improvements budget for the purchasing of public art 108 stands before the theater Dedicated in 2008 to celebrate the city s 150th anniversary 139 the 30 foot 9 1 m stainless steel sculpture In My Hands is one of over 160 public works of art in Roanoke 140 nbsp The Jefferson Center as it appeared in 2023 The Tudor Revival building opened as Jefferson High School in 1924 141 The Jefferson Center is a former city high school that saw extensive renovation during the 1990s turning it into a mixed use building including office space for non profits and city departments event space for meetings and receptions and the Shaftman Performance Hall a 925 seat theatre created from the original high school s auditorium 142 143 In 2006 the former Dumas Hotel was reopened as the Dumas Center for Artistic and Cultural Development 144 The center is located on Henry Street which served as the commercial and cultural center of Roanoke s African American community before a mid 20th century urban renewal project that saw much of the historic Gainsboro neighborhood razed or relocated 37 145 The Dumas Hotel hosted such guests as Louis Armstrong Ethel Waters Count Basie Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole when they performed in Roanoke 146 The renovated Dumas Center features an auditorium with more than 200 seats 144 and the building is a contributing structure to the Henry Street Historic District listed in 2004 to the National Register of Historic Places 147 Since 1964 the Roanoke Valley has hosted performances by the Mill Mountain Theatre a regional theatre that has been located in Center in the Square since its original home atop Mill Mountain burned down in 1976 148 The theatre has both a main stage for mainstream performances and a smaller black box theatre called Waldron Stage which hosts both newer and more experimental plays along with other live events 149 Roanoke has been home to the Showtimers Community Theatre since 1951 150 and since 2008 the Virginia Children s Theatre has presented shows aimed at a younger audience often based on children s literature 151 Originally formed as Roanoke Children s Theatre and housed in the Taubman Museum at that building s opening the theatre expanded into the Dumas Center in 2013 and in 2016 moved to its current home in the Jefferson Center 151 Opera Roanoke is Southwest Virginia s only professional opera company established in 1976 as the Southwest Virginia Opera Society 152 It has performed under its current name since 1991 and its official orchestra since 2004 has been the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra 153 That group was established in 1953 154 The orchestra performs out of the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre Salem Civic Center and Shaftman Performance Hall at Jefferson Center 155 Points of interest edit Roanoke is the largest metropolitan area on the Blue Ridge Parkway 156 a 469 mile long scenic road that is the most visited element of the National Park System 157 The Mill Mountain Parkway exit off of the Blue Ridge Parkway leads to the Roanoke Star an 88 5 foot tall 27 0 m illuminated star sitting atop a mountain inside the city s limits 158 Also on the mountain s summit is Mill Mountain Zoo a Zoological Association of America accredited facility housing over 170 animals 159 160 nbsp The Texas Tavern has changed little since its establishment in 1930 St Andrew s Catholic Church rests on a hill overlooking downtown and has been called one of Virginia s foremost examples of the High Victorian Gothic 161 The church dates to 1900 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 161 Just below the church lies the Hotel Roanoke a historic 330 room Tudor Revival hotel originally built by the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1882 and rebuilt and expanded many times since 162 Nicknamed the Grand Old Lady 163 the hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 164 A pedestrian bridge leads from the Hotel Roanoke to the city s historic market building and farmers market the latter of which dates to 1882 and is the oldest continuously operating open air market in Virginia 165 Near the terminus of the market is Fire Station No 1 which for a time was the oldest continuously operating station in the state 166 The Georgian Revival structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 167 and currently houses a local furniture showroom restaurant and boutique hotel 168 Two blocks west on the same street is Texas Tavern an iconic 169 170 ten seat greasy spoon restaurant that the same family has operated since its establishment in 1930 171 Festivals edit nbsp Parade of Nations at the Local Colors FestivalRoanoke features several annual festivals and events of various types A parade for St Patrick s Day occurs every March 172 and Pride in the Park is an LGBTQ community celebration that draws thousands of visitors every April 173 Several events occur in May including the Local Colors festival celebrating the cultures of the area s diverse ethnicities 174 the city s Strawberry Festival 175 the Down by Downtown music festival which coincides with the Blue Ridge Marathon 176 and Memorial Day weekend s Festival in the Park which brings music and vendors to downtown Elmwood Park 177 Later in the year Elmwood Park hosts the Henry Street Heritage Festival the primary fundraiser for the Harrison Museum of African American Culture 178 The event s popularity necessitated the move from its eponymous location 178 The Go Outside Festival also known as GO Fest is a free three day event every October that celebrates the region s outdoor recreation opportunities 179 and the city holds the multi week Dickens of a Christmas each December This Victorian era themed event includes a Christmas tree lighting parade and horse drawn carriage rides through downtown 180 Sports editThe 1971 1972 Virginia Squires of the American Basketball Association were the only major league sports team to play home games in Roanoke regularly During that season the Squires split home games between Richmond Norfolk Hampton Roads and Roanoke 181 Julius Erving played his professional rookie season with the Squires that year before being sent to the New York Nets 182 nbsp The Blue Ridge Mountains viewed from Salem Memorial BallparkMinor league baseball has had a long history in the Roanoke Valley 183 In the 1940s and early 1950s Roanoke was home to a class B farm team of the Boston Red Sox 184 Since 1955 neighboring Salem has hosted the local minor league baseball team which as of 2023 update is the Salem Red Sox of the Low A Carolina League 184 The team had previously been affiliated with the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies and known as the Avalanche until becoming an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox whose ownership group purchased the Avalanche after the 2007 season 185 The history of minor league hockey in the Roanoke Valley goes back to 1967 186 The Roanoke Express of the ECHL built a loyal following in the mid 1990s 187 but a combination of financial turmoil due to mismanagement and declining attendance from a lack of post season success led to the ECHL ending their franchise in 2004 187 188 An attempt at a revival in 2005 06 by the UHL s Roanoke Valley Vipers failed after one season 186 In 2016 professional ice hockey returned to Roanoke after ten years when the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs of the SPHL began to play 186 and the team won its first ever President s Cup title in 2023 189 While the Roanoke area is not home to any NCAA Division I schools its proximity to Virginia Tech has led it to host some collegiate athletic events Beginning in 1977 Roanoke along with Richmond was one of the primary neutral sites for the annual basketball game between Virginia Tech and the Virginia Cavaliers 190 In 2000 the schools started holding these games in campus facilities 191 From 1913 Roanoke played host to an annual football game between Virginia Tech and the Virginia Military Institute first at Maher Field and then in the newly constructed Victory Stadium starting in 1942 28 The game was moved to Thanksgiving Day beginning in the early 1920s and was a holiday mainstay in the city until 1971 28 192 Roanoke s location among the Blue Ridge Mountains makes it a destination for other sporting events Every year since 2010 barring 2020 when it was held virtually due to the COVID 19 pandemic 193 the Roanoke Outside Foundation has put on the Blue Ridge Marathon which is regarded as difficult due to its considerable elevation changes 193 194 The USA Cycling Amateur Road National Championships were held in the city and surrounding areas in 2022 and 2023 195 and an Ironman 70 3 triathlon event brought competitors to the region from 2021 2023 196 Parks and recreation editThere are 60 parks within Roanoke s city limits and its parks and recreation department is responsible for nearly 14 000 acres of public land 197 Highland Park in the historic Old Southwest neighborhood is the city s oldest having been purchased in 1902 when the former farm was still distant from the settled part of the city 11 370 Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke became the city s second in 1911 11 370 It features a Japanese magnolia tree that was acquired by Commodore Matthew Perry during an expedition to Japan and donated in 1857 to the former owner of the park 198 As of 2023 update Elmwood holds the city s main library branch as well as an art walk and a 4 000 seat amphitheater 199 Roanoke features an extensive network of paved greenways for walkers runners and cyclists 200 Though the idea for a publicly owned greenway system can be traced back to a 1907 comprehensive plan for the city 201 it was not until 1995 that an intergovernmental committee was formed to plan and develop the project 202 Since that time 26 miles of greenways have been built across the Roanoke Valle 203 As of 2023 the longest continuous stretch runs 12 miles along the Roanoke River from Salem through Roanoke City to Vinton 204 Roanoke County is also in the planning stages of extending that same stretch westward into Montgomery County 205 As of 2023 update Roanoke contained over 100 miles 160 km of trails and greenways 206 Government editSee also List of mayors of Roanoke Virginia United States presidential election results for Roanoke Virginia 207 Year Republican Democratic Third partyNo No No 2020 15 607 36 02 26 773 61 80 943 2 18 2016 14 789 37 47 22 286 56 47 2 391 6 06 2012 14 991 37 33 24 134 60 10 1 030 2 57 2008 15 394 37 76 24 934 61 15 444 1 09 2004 16 661 46 28 18 862 52 39 477 1 33 2000 14 630 43 75 17 920 53 59 892 2 67 1996 12 283 38 37 17 282 53 98 2 451 7 66 1992 13 443 38 21 17 724 50 38 4 014 11 41 1988 15 389 46 90 17 185 52 37 239 0 73 1984 19 008 52 09 17 300 47 41 184 0 50 1980 15 164 43 39 18 139 51 91 1 643 4 70 1976 14 738 41 00 20 696 57 57 515 1 43 1972 18 541 64 67 9 498 33 13 632 2 20 1968 15 368 51 21 9 281 30 93 5 359 17 86 1964 13 164 46 20 15 314 53 74 18 0 06 1960 15 229 62 28 9 175 37 52 49 0 20 1956 16 708 69 38 6 751 28 03 623 2 59 1952 15 673 66 00 8 042 33 87 32 0 13 1948 6 542 49 56 5 343 40 48 1 315 9 96 1944 5 095 40 92 7 322 58 81 34 0 27 1940 3 553 33 70 6 942 65 85 47 0 45 1936 3 363 32 02 7 087 67 47 54 0 51 1932 3 195 33 49 6 215 65 15 130 1 36 Like most cities in Virginia Roanoke has a council manager form of government 208 209 The city manager maintains the day to day operation of the city s government and has the authority to hire and fire city employees 209 The mayor has little executive authority and is essentially the first among equals on the Roanoke City Council 209 though the position wields influence through public appearances and annual State of the City addresses 210 The city council has six members not counting the mayor all of whom are elected on an at large basis 211 A proposal for a ward based council was rejected by Roanoke voters in 1997 but ward system advocates still contend that the at large system results in a disproportionate number of council members coming from affluent neighborhoods and that electing some or all council members on a ward basis would result in a more equal representation of all areas of the city 212 The four year terms of city council members are staggered with three members elected every two years 211 The candidate who receives the most votes is designated the vice mayor for the following two years 211 On June 27 2016 Sherman P Lea Sr took the office of mayor 213 and he was re elected to the same position in 2020 214 The current city manager Bob Cowell has been in that position since 2017 215 Joseph L Cobb is serving his second term as the city s vice mayor 216 The city has adopted a budget for the 2024 fiscal year that includes revenues and expenditures totaling 355 4 million representing a 9 4 increase over the previous year 217 Local taxes including real estate personal property and sales taxes are the government s largest source of revenue at over 70 of its intake 218 Roanoke is represented by two members of the Virginia House of Delegates Sam Rasoul D 11th and Chris Head R 17th and one member of the Virginia Senate John Edwards D 21st 219 220 In February 2023 Edwards announced his intention to retire after 28 years in the state senate 221 The city lies within Virginia s 6th congressional district which also includes Lynchburg and much of the Shenandoah Valley Since 2019 the district has been represented by Republican Ben Cline 222 Roanoke is one of the few Democratic pockets in the otherwise heavily Republican Southwest Virginia 223 It has supported the Democratic Party nominee in every election since 1988 and in all but one election since 1976 224 Education editTwo four year private institutions are situated in neighboring localities Roanoke College in the city of Salem 225 and Hollins University in Roanoke County 226 Virginia Tech and Radford University s main campuses are located in the nearby New River Valley and both of those schools have partnered with Carilion Clinic the regional nonprofit health care organization based in Roanoke to create medical colleges in the city 227 228 Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute was founded in 2007 229 and Radford University Carilion was established in 2019 230 The Roanoke Higher Education Center opened in 2000 in the former Norfolk and Western General Office Building North and provides over 150 programs ranging from high school equivalent degrees to doctorates 231 232 Virginia Western Community College is located in the city and provides associate degrees as well as facilitated transfers to many four year colleges in the area 233 234 ECPI University a private for profit institution also has a campus located in Roanoke 235 The local public school division is Roanoke City Public Schools 236 The two general enrollment public high schools in the city are Patrick Henry High School located in the Raleigh Court area 237 and William Fleming High School located in Northwest Roanoke 238 A prominent parochial school in the city is Roanoke Catholic 239 which dates to 1889 and shares its campus with St Andrews Catholic Church 240 Private non parochial schools in Roanoke include Community High School of Arts and Academics The school was first housed in the Jefferson Center before moving to its current location in downtown Roanoke in 2011 241 Media editThe city s daily newspaper The Roanoke Times has been published since 1886 242 As of 2023 update weekday and Sunday circulation both average around 25 000 243 In 2013 the paper was sold to Berkshire Hathaway which in turn sold its BH Media holdings The Roanoke Times included to Lee Enterprises in 2020 244 Beth Macy author of the bestselling book Dopesick which was adapted into a 2021 Hulu miniseries of the same name was a reporter at The Roanoke Times for 25 years 245 The Roanoke Star and Cardinal News are independent digital newspapers that have sought to fill the local news coverage gap resulting from the purchase of The Roanoke Times by an out of state publisher and its subsequent reduction in staff 246 247 The weekly Roanoke Tribune covers the city s African American community 248 The publication was founded in 1939 by the Rev Fleming Alexander and since 1971 has been owned and edited by his daughter 249 The Roanoker is the area s bi monthly lifestyle magazine and has been published since 1972 by Leisure Publishing which also puts out the bi monthly Blue Ridge Country magazine 250 Roanoke and Lynchburg are grouped in the same television market which as of 2022 update ranks 71 in the United States with 456 390 households 251 The city has affiliates for all major networks including NBC affiliate WSLS 10 252 CBS affiliate WDBJ 7 253 Fox affiliate WFXR Fox 254 PBS affiliate WBRA TV 255 and ION Television affiliate WPXR TV 256 The Roanoke Lynchburg radio market has a population of 451 600 and is ranked number 122 in the United States as of 2022 update 257 iHeartMedia owns many stations in the area including WROV WJJS WYYD and WSTV 258 The reality television show Salvage Dawgs was based out of Roanoke The show which ran for 11 seasons on the DIY Network followed the owners and employees of the architectural salvage company Black Dog Salvage as they located and acquired pieces for their store 259 Some of the company s projects in Roanoke itself were highlighted on the show including their part in the renovation of Fire Station No 1 259 Infrastructure editTransportation edit Main articles Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport and Roanoke station Virginia Interstate 581 the primary north south roadway in the city connects Roanoke to Interstate 81 to the north Interstate 581 is a concurrency with U S Route 220 which continues as the Roy L Webber Expressway from downtown Roanoke where the I 581 designation ends south to State Route 419 Route 220 continues south to connect Roanoke to Martinsville Virginia and Greensboro North Carolina a proposed extension of Interstate 73 into Roanoke from North Carolina running partially concurrent with and parallel to US 220 has long been stalled due to funding issues 260 The primary east west roadway through the city is U S Route 460 named Melrose Avenue and Orange Avenue Route 460 connects Roanoke to Lynchburg to the east and Christiansburg to the west U S Route 11 passes through the city primarily as Brandon Avenue and Williamson Road which was a center of automotive based commercial development after World War II 261 Other major roads include U S Route 221 State Route 117 known as Peters Creek Road and State Route 101 known as Hershberger Road The Blue Ridge Parkway also briefly runs adjacent to the city border 262 nbsp Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport terminal buildingThe Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport is located in the northern part of the city It is the primary passenger and cargo airport for Southwest Virginia 263 The airport is served by American Airlines United Airlines Delta and Allegiant Air 264 Due to the facility s size location in the mountains and proximity to Andrews Air Force Base it is often used as a pilot training destination for the Special Air Mission fleet that serves as Air Force One and Two when the nation s leaders are aboard 265 While Roanoke is known for its rail history low ridership numbers led Amtrak to discontinue passenger rail service to the city in 1979 266 Beginning in 2011 Roanoke funded a bus service the Smart Way Connector to connect riders to the Amtrak station in Lynchburg as well as to show Amtrak that there was once again a demand for the service in Roanoke 267 In August 2013 it was announced that Amtrak s Northeast Regional service would be extended from Lynchburg by 2017 On October 31 2017 after 38 years without passenger rail service Amtrak resumed service to Roanoke 268 The service has been successful enough that a second daily train to Roanoke was added in 2022 269 nbsp The N amp W 611 waiting at Roanoke station in 2017Despite Norfolk Southern s relocation of its corporate headquarters out of the city Roanoke is still a major hub in the company s freight rail system 90 The railway s Pocahontas Division consisting of over 2 500 miles of track is headquartered just outside of downtown Roanoke 270 and though the volume of coal passing through the city has declined in recent decades 70 million tons of freight are shipped on the area s railroads annually 44 271 The Valley Metro provides bus service to the city of Roanoke and surrounding areas In June 2023 the service began operating out of a new facility on Third Street in downtown Roanoke built to replace the aging Campbell Court station 272 Valley Metro also offers bus service to Blacksburg Christiansburg and Virginia Tech via its Smart Way service 273 as well as the Ferrum Express a free shuttle that runs between downtown Roanoke and Ferrum College in nearby Rocky Mount 274 The 21st century has seen Roanoke put considerable resources towards improving its cycling infrastructure In addition to its extensive paved greenway network Roanoke has added 43 miles of marked bike lanes along its major roads 275 In recent years the city has put millions of dollars towards pedestrian safety improvements including lane reductions on busy roads audible signals and additional street lighting 276 Roanoke is served by RIDE Solutions a regional transportation demand management agency that provides carpool matching cycling advocacy transit assistance and remote work assistance to businesses and citizens in the region 277 Utilities edit Roanoke is supplied electricity by the Appalachian Power Company an American Electric Power division Appalachian Power serves roughly 500 000 people in Western Virginia and another 500 000 in West Virginia and Tennessee 278 The area s water and wastewater operations are managed by the Western Virginia Water Authority That organization was founded in 2004 with the consolidation of the water utilities of Roanoke City and Roanoke County under the logic that the location of watersheds should determine the management of local resources rather than government boundaries 279 The Water Authority has since taken on the water based utilities of Franklin and Botetourt Counties as well as the towns of Boones Mill and Vinton 279 Healthcare edit Roanoke is the primary center for healthcare in Western Virginia serving an estimated one million people 280 Carilion Clinic a non profit healthcare group is the region s largest provider with over 750 physicians spread across eight hospitals 94 The region is also served by the Lewis Gale Medical Center a 521 bed facility established in Roanoke in 1911 and now located in Salem 280 9 309 as well as a Veterans Affairs Medical Center serving over 100 000 military veterans in the region also located in Salem 280 Notable people editMain article List of people from Roanoke VirginiaSister cities editRoanoke has six sister cities 281 nbsp Florianopolis Brazil nbsp Kisumu Kenya nbsp Lijiang China nbsp Opole Poland nbsp Saint Lo France nbsp Wonju South Korea In February 2023 it was announced that the city was officially pausing its sister city affiliation with Pskov Russia due to the continuing Russian invasion of Ukraine 282 See also edit nbsp Virginia portalNational Register of Historic Places listings in Roanoke Virginia USS Roanoke 7 shipsReferences edit 2019 U S Gazetteer Files United States Census Bureau Archived from the original on October 16 2020 Retrieved August 7 2020 List of 2020 Census Urban Areas census gov United States Census Bureau Archived from the original on January 14 2023 Retrieved January 7 2023 U S Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System Roanoke Virginia United States Geological Survey Retrieved December 20 2023 U S Census website United States Census Bureau Archived from the original on July 9 2021 Retrieved January 31 2008 US Board on Geographic Names United States Geological Survey October 25 2007 Archived from the original on December 25 2018 Retrieved January 31 2008 QuickFacts Roanoke city Virginia United States Census Bureau Archived from the original on June 22 2021 Retrieved September 7 2021 Rouse Jr Parke 1973 The Great Wagon Road From Philadelphia to the South McGraw Hill Book Company ISBN 978 0 07 054101 6 Otto Paul 2017 This is that which they call Wampum Europeans Coming to Terms With Native Shell Beads Faculty Publications Department of History Politics and International Studies 77 a b c d Kagey Deedie 1988 When Past is Prologue A History of Roanoke County Roanoke County Sesquicentennial Committee p 7 a b Griffin James B 1942 On the Historic Location of the Tutelo and the Mohetan in the Ohio Valley American Anthropologist 44 2 275 280 doi 10 1525 aa 1942 44 2 02a00080 ISSN 0002 7294 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Barnes Raymond P 1968 A History of the City of Roanoke Commonwealth Press Inc History Roanoke County VA Official Website www roanokecountyva gov Archived from the original on May 24 2023 Retrieved May 24 2023 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p White Clare 1982 Roanoke 1740 1982 Roanoke Valley Historical Society a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Dotson Rand 2007 Roanoke Virginia 1882 1912 Magic City of the New South The University of Tennessee Press Knoxville ISBN 978 1 57233 592 9 Hill Studio February 2004 Historic Architectural Survey of and National Register Nominations for Roanoke Downtown Historic District PDF Archived PDF from the original on May 31 2023 Retrieved May 24 2023 Piedmont Donlan 1994 Peanut Soup and Spoonbread An Informal History of Hotel Roanoke Virginia Tech Real Estate Foundation Inc p 16 ISBN 978 0 9617635 1 0 City of Roanoke Planning Building and Development Gainsboro Neighborhood Plan History Roanoke Document Center Archived from the original on May 31 2023 Retrieved May 26 2023 Shareef Reginald 1996 The Roanoke Valley s African American Heritage A Pictorial History The Donning Company ISBN 978 0 89865 962 7 a b Census of Population 1950 US Census Bureau hdl 2027 umn 31951t00383932e Retrieved August 2 2023 Dybdahl Pete December 19 2007 Growing Pains The Roanoke Times p 1 Crime of the Century The Roanoke Times February 2 1901 p 4 Men Worse Than Apes The Roanoke Times February 13 1896 p 3 Brutal Work at Staunton The Roanoke Times May 1 1894 p 1 a b c d e Smith Leslie F August 5 1985 The Political Geography of Annexation Roanoke Virginia Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertations Thesis Archived from the original on July 22 2023 Retrieved June 7 2023 Chittum Matt December 9 2018 Research district transforms Roanoke 50 million gift bolsters health campus that was years in the making The Roanoke Times p 1A Hammack Laurence Hunter Molly March 26 2023 Past pollution a present concern for Riverdale plans The Roanoke Times Colorful Crowd Attends Dedication of Stadium The Roanoke Times November 27 1942 p 1 a b c Cox Ray February 9 2015 Military Classic was Thanksgiving fare The Roanoke Times p 1B Roanoke Star in Virginia s Blue Ridge www visitroanokeva com Archived from the original on June 12 2023 Retrieved June 12 2023 Berrier Jr Ralph November 23 2014 Our star turns 65 The Roanoke Times p 1E a b The Roanoke Times Editorial Board February 14 2017 A valentine for an astronaut The Roanoke Times p 5B Fabris Casey January 2 2021 Roanoke developer dies at 93 The Roanoke Times p 1A Two Firms Will Share Managing Duties The Roanoke Times October 8 1961 p 58 Cockerham Amy April 7 2023 Roanoke County s Tanglewood Mall under new ownership WSLS Archived from the original on July 22 2023 Retrieved June 14 2023 Codispoti Amanda September 8 2013 Changes under way at Valley View Mall The Roanoke Times p 1 Codispoti Amanda June 9 2013 Making the Star City the right fit The Roanoke Times p 1 a b c d Bishop Mary January 29 1995 Urban Renewal s Untold Stories The Roanoke Times amp World News Special Section Archived from the original on May 12 2023 Retrieved May 12 2023 Chittum Matt August 14 2005 When segregation ruled the streets The Roanoke Times p 1A Adams Mason August 31 2008 Troubled legacy The Roanoke Times p 1B Campagna Mary E July 26 2017 Sale of Dumas is a stab wound to the heart The Roanoke Times p 9B Adams Mason August 8 2008 Residents argue for renewal program The Roanoke Times p 5B a b c Lowe Cody November 7 1999 Our past 100 years The Roanoke Times p 1 Railroad company Norfolk Southern is moving its headquarters from Norfolk to Atlanta The Florida Times Union Archived from the original on December 8 2023 Retrieved June 14 2023 a b c Editorial End of an era for Roanoke The Roanoke Times May 18 2020 p 5A Sturgeon Jeff December 21 2018 Norfolk Southern to repay grant The Roanoke Times p 1A a b Rife Luanne January 30 2020 Economists say Carilion adds 3 2B to Va s economy The Roanoke Times p 1A a b Rife Luanne May 3 2019 Graduation marks college s evoltion Jefferson College hosts final graduation before merger with Radford The Roanoke Times p 1A a b Chittum Matt August 30 2019 Mayor praises city s ethic of hard work The Roanoke Times p 1D Editorial The valley s success story The Roanoke Times March 28 2021 p 5B A consequential decade The Roanoke Times December 30 2019 p 50B Five lessons from the census The Roanoke Times August 17 2021 p 7A Williamson III John B April 22 2004 Move Roanoke forward not backward The Roanoke Times p 9B Mountains Blue Ridge Parksway nps gov National Park Service January 14 2021 US Gazetteer files 2010 2000 and 1990 United States Census Bureau February 12 2011 Archived from the original on August 24 2019 Retrieved April 23 2011 Roanoke River Greenway Greenways Archived from the original on June 21 2023 Retrieved June 21 2023 Mill Mountain Park including Star Trail dwr virginia gov Archived from the original on January 31 2023 Retrieved June 14 2023 Frequently Asked Questions Blue Ridge Parkway U S National Park Service www nps gov Archived from the original on August 3 2023 Retrieved August 3 2023 Holland Rebecca August 21 2014 Naturefest The Roanoke Times p 1E Chumney Richard August 27 2018 Annual NatureFest celebrates biodiversity at Peaks of Otter The Roanoke Times p 4C Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve www dcr virginia gov Archived from the original on June 23 2023 Retrieved June 23 2023 Hiking the Appalachian Trail www visitroanokeva com Archived from the original on June 16 2023 Retrieved June 14 2023 Roanoke Mountain Blue Ridge Parkway VA Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks Archived from the original on July 22 2023 Retrieved June 14 2023 The 100 Largest City Parks in the US Update for 2022 Infoplease www infoplease com Archived from the original on June 3 2023 Retrieved June 8 2023 Smith Mountain Lake roanokeoutside com Archived from the original on June 8 2023 Retrieved June 14 2023 George Washington amp Jefferson National Forests Virginia s Blue Ridge www visitroanokeva com Archived from the original on May 29 2023 Retrieved June 14 2023 Outdoor Adventures in Virginia s Blue Ridge www visitroanokeva com Archived from the original on May 7 2023 Retrieved June 14 2023 Roanoke City Planning June 23 2023 About Our City PDF Archived from the original on June 23 2023 Retrieved June 23 2023 Roanoke City Planning June 23 2023 Roanoke Virginia Comprehensive Plan Vision 2001 2020 PDF Archived from the original on June 23 2023 Retrieved June 23 2023 Planning Building and Economic Development Roanoke City May 21 2007 Greater Raleigh Court Neighborhood Plan PDF Archived from the original on June 23 2023 Retrieved June 23 2023 Historic Registers Archive DHR Archived from the original on May 13 2023 Retrieved June 23 2023 Roanoke Virginia WorldAtlas September 22 2022 Archived from the original on June 26 2023 Retrieved June 26 2023 United States Department of Agriculture USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map United States National Arboretum Archived from the original on March 3 2015 Retrieved February 19 2015 a b c d e NowData NOAA Online Weather Data National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Archived from the original on July 22 2015 Retrieved July 1 2021 a b c d Station Roanoke RGNL AP VA U S Climate Normals 2020 U S Monthly Climate Normals 1991 2020 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Archived from the original on November 22 2021 Retrieved July 1 2021 Ballisty Tim January 14 2013 Snow Totals Adding Up from Blizzard 2009 weather com Archived from the original on June 11 2013 Retrieved June 12 2013 1890 snowstorm one of biggest events in Roanoke s weather history www roanoke com Archived from the original on November 26 2020 Retrieved January 24 2017 Myatt Kevin September 24 2014 Last big Roanoke flood was decade ago The Roanoke Times p 3B Myatt Kevin May 23 2020 It rained a long time but not all that hard The Roanoke Times p 3A Myatt Kevin October 14 2020 Wettest year to date likely won t uproot 2018 The Roanoke Times p 2B Myatt Kevin January 2 2019 Soggy year sets high water mark The Roanoke Times p 1A Myatt Kevin August 14 2014 What was the worst hurricane to affect Southwest Virginia The Roanoke Times Retrieved January 30 2024 Beagle Ben November 5 1995 When the waters killed The flood of 85 lives on in the memories of those who survived The Roanoke Times p 1G Chittum Matt September 13 2018 Rains to test flood reduction plan The Roanoke Times p 1A Census of Population 1980 US Census Bureau Archived from the original on August 6 2023 Retrieved August 2 2023 Census 2000 PHC T 4 Ranking Tables for Counties 1990 and 2000 PDF United States Census Bureau Archived PDF from the original on December 18 2014 Retrieved January 6 2014 a b P2 Hispanic or Latino and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race 2010 DEC Redistricting Data PL 94 171 Roanoke city Virginia United States Census Bureau a b c d P2 Hispanic or Latino and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race 2020 DEC Redistricting Data PL 94 171 Roanoke city Virginia United States Census Bureau S0601 Selected Characteristics of the Total and Native Populations of the United States Roanoke city Virginia United States Census Bureau Retrieved December 20 2023 P004 Hispanic or Latino and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race 2000 DEC Summary File 1 Roanoke city Virginia United States Census Bureau a b c Sturgeon Jeff March 29 2020 Roanoke region will see sharp but short economic decline economist predicts The Roanoke Times p E Norfolk Southern to close Roanoke office building relocate employees Norfolk Southern Archived from the original on June 23 2019 Retrieved June 23 2019 Piester Rick 2013 The History of Healthcare in the Roanoke Valley Our Health Salem Virginia McClintic Media Inc Retrieved December 20 2023 The First Ten Years medicine vtc vt edu Archived from the original on May 8 2023 Retrieved May 8 2023 a b Carilion Clinic Fast Facts 2020 At a Glance https www carilionclinic org sites default files 2021 06 carilion ar 2020 factsheet 210601 0 0 pdf Archived July 31 2023 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved July 31 2023 Rife Luanne October 22 2017 The catalyst for innovation The Roanoke Times p 1A Codispoti Amanda March 25 2012 Marketing the great outdoors The Roanoke Times p 1 About roanokeoutside com Archived from the original on May 10 2023 Retrieved May 9 2023 Eshelman Pete Marston Brett June 12 2021 Ironman shows region s success The Roanoke Times p 2B a b c Leading Employers Roanoke Regional Partnership Archived from the original on May 10 2023 Retrieved May 10 2023 Petska Alicia October 1 2022 Yokohama Tire union in Salem ratifies a new contract The Roanoke Times p 2A Volvo plant builds more electric trucks The Roanoke Times April 13 2022 p 1K Fabris Casey January 31 2020 Truck manufacturing plant coming to Roanoke County The Roanoke Times p 1A Petska Alicia October 23 2022 Manufacturer now zero waste facility The Roanoke Times p 1C Adams Duncan June 19 2014 Altec expansion to add 200 jobs The Roanoke Times p 8A Wall Sam April 27 2022 Roanoke County plant to play key role in night vision innovation The Roanoke Times p 3E Petska Alicia April 10 2022 Business Intel Luna Innovations The Roanoke Times p 4C Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Fiscal Year Ended June 30 2022 roanokeva gov City of Roanoke Archived from the original on August 1 2023 Retrieved August 1 2023 a b Allen Mike July 12 2019 Arts amp Extras Building a frame for Roanoke s arts programs The Roanoke Times p 2A Trinkle supports the arts The Roanoke Times February 12 2016 p 7B Morrill Chris April 8 2012 A vibrant city evolves purposefully The Roanoke Times p 1 Allen Mike January 19 2008 Center of attention The Roanoke Times p 1B a b Square Center in the Center in the Square Center in the Square Archived from the original on May 10 2023 Retrieved May 10 2023 a b Kittredge Kevin November 2 2008 Could art museum prompt a downtown transformation The Roanoke Times p 1A Advance Auto Parts Inc Our Story corp advanceautoparts com Archived from the original on May 10 2023 Retrieved May 10 2023 Kittredge Kevin February 7 2008 New art museum to carry Taubman name The Roanoke Times p 1B Editorial New art show brings choice masterworks to Southwest Virginia The Roanoke Times October 7 2022 p 7A Schultz Robert July 20 2008 Inside the art museum The Roanoke Times p 1 Podger Pamela J December 29 2007 With Bold Museum a Virginia City Aims for Visibility The New York Times ProQuest 433734189 Archived from the original on May 20 2023 Retrieved May 20 2023 Allen Mike October 15 2009 Architect wins award for Taubman The Roanoke Times p 8A Heilman Christian August 28 2018 Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke named best designed museum in Virginia WDBJ7 Archived from the original on May 18 2023 Retrieved May 18 2023 Miller Kenneth 2000 Norfolk and Western Class J The Finest Steam Passenger Locomotive Roanoke Chapter National Railway Historical Society ISBN 978 0 615 11664 8 Allen Mike June 14 2019 New transportation museum director trades cowboy hat for engineer s cap The Roanoke Times p 1A Allen Mike April 1 2014 Historic engine 611 to get its old steam back The Roanoke Times p 1B VMT Norfolk amp Western J Class 611 www vmt org Archived from the original on June 10 2023 Retrieved May 11 2023 Jackson Todd December 19 1998 Ex Wasena Park rocket to land downtown The Roanoke Times p 1B About the Virginia Museum of Transportation www vmt org Archived from the original on May 11 2023 Retrieved May 11 2023 Henry Geoffrey B April 2012 Norfolk amp Western Railway Freight Station Final Nomination PDF Virginia Department of Historic Resources Retrieved December 20 2023 Koomen Christina March 21 2023 The Art of Place features railroad line local artists The Roanoke Times p 8B Harnesberger Douglas J Kraus Nancy July 1998 Norfolk amp Western Railway Company Historic District Final Nomination PDF Virginia Department of Historic Resources Retrieved December 21 2023 About Us Berglund Center Archived from the original on July 16 2022 Retrieved May 11 2023 Dickens Tad January 11 2023 Old Crow Medicine Show returns to Roanoke The Roanoke Times p 3A Dickens Tad May 27 2021 From the lips of the Berglund Hinder returning to Roanoke The Roanoke Times p 2A Helms Beckner Alexis April 11 2022 Out amp About Cats at Berglund theater The Roanoke Times p 8B Allen Mike May 19 2019 Cornershot Broadway in Roanoke unveils 2019 20 performance season The Roanoke Times p 1E Dickens Tad July 7 2022 Brian Regan Scythian Paul thorn 4848 Fest Top Tickets The Roanoke Times p 8B Comedy double bill set for Roanoke The Roanoke Times July 19 2022 p 8B Mouketo Julia June 27 2022 Ashburn woman wins Miss Virginia crown The Roanoke Times p 1A Miss Virginia names more preliminary winners The Roanoke Times June 24 2017 p 2A In My Hands Roanoke VA Archived from the original on May 11 2023 Retrieved May 11 2023 Roanoke Arts Commission Roanoke Arts Commission Archived from the original on August 10 2023 Retrieved August 8 2023 Jefferson Center Roanoke s Premier Performing Arts and Cultural Center www jeffcenter org Archived from the original on August 30 2023 Retrieved August 30 2023 Kittredge Kevin April 29 2001 Curtain up The Roanoke Times p 1 Jefferson Center Roanoke s Premier Performing Arts and Cultural Center www jeffcenter org Archived from the original on May 12 2023 Retrieved May 12 2023 a b Hutkin Erinn November 5 2006 Music revives Dumas The Roanoke Times p 1B Fullilove Mindy Thompson 2004 Root Shock how tearing up city neighborhoods hurts America and what we can do about it One World Ballantine Books ISBN 978 0 345 45422 5 Lewis Annette May 1 2017 Why Sell The Dumas A Valuable Piece Of History TAP Archived from the original on May 11 2023 Retrieved May 11 2023 Blanton Alison June 2004 Henry Street Historic District Final Nomination PDF Virginia Department of Historic Resources Retrieved December 21 2023 Kittredge Kevin April 16 2010 Mona Black was life of Mill Mountain Theatre The Roanoke Times p 1A0 Allen Mike October 17 2018 Mill Mountain Theatre announces 2019 season The Roanoke Times p 1E Allen Mike June 26 2020 Showtimers to explore new ways to reach out after canceling 70th season The Roanoke Times p 2A a b PAllen Mike August 18 2019 Roanoke Children s Theatre opens new chapter The Roanoke Times p 1E Opera Roanoke scores a US premiere The Roanoke Times October 28 2021 p 6A Opera Roanoke www virginia org Archived from the original on May 12 2023 Retrieved May 12 2023 Staplefoote Liz September 4 2018 Roanoke Has a Lot to Celebrate TheRoanoker com Archived from the original on December 18 2023 Retrieved May 12 2023 Venues amp Locations Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Archived from the original on May 12 2023 Retrieved May 12 2023 Roanoke Valley Area Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Blue Ridge Parkway Association Archived from the original on May 16 2023 Retrieved May 15 2023 Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia s Blue Ridge Mountains www visitroanokeva com Archived from the original on May 16 2023 Retrieved May 15 2023 Dashiell Joe May 10 2023 Roanoke considers restoration or replacement of Mill Mountain Star WDBJ7 Archived from the original on May 16 2023 Retrieved May 15 2023 Berrier Jr Ralph March 15 2019 Mill Mountain Zoo earns accreditation from national zoo association The Roanoke Times p 3B Mill Mountain Zoo Roanoke VA 24014 www visitroanokeva com Archived from the original on May 16 2023 Retrieved May 15 2023 a b Weidman Gregory May 1972 St Andrews Roman Catholic Church Final Nomination PDF Virginia Department of Historic Resources Retrieved December 21 2023 128 0025 Hotel Roanoke www dhr virginia gov Archived from the original on May 16 2023 Retrieved May 15 2023 About Our Southwest Virginia Hotel Historic Downtown Hotel Roanoke www hotelroanoke com Archived from the original on May 16 2023 Retrieved May 15 2023 Giles Leslie A Kern John R September 1995 Hotel Roanoke Final Nomination PDF Virginia Department of Historic Resources Retrieved December 21 2023 History of the Market Farmer s Market Explore Downtown Roanoke www downtownroanoke org Archived from the original on May 16 2023 Retrieved May 15 2023 Struzzi Diane June 16 1994 Things look up for firehouse The Roanoke Times p 1C 128 0033 Fire Station No 1 www dhr virginia gov Archived from the original on May 16 2023 Retrieved May 15 2023 Petska Alicia September 24 2022 First Station No 1 downtown Roanoke historic landmark has new calling The Roanoke Times p 1A Berrier Jr Ralph November 12 2020 Texas Tavern sign auction raised 5 085 for Tudor House The Roanoke Times p 2B Friedenberger Amy October 8 2015 Roanoke Valley aids flood victims in S C The Roanoke Times p 1B Nair Lindsey June 4 2008 The best of Burger Nation The Roanoke Times p 1 Sampson Anne March 10 2022 Hooves o the Irish Budweiser Clydesdales to march in St Patrick s Day Parade The Roanoke Times p 2T Sturgeon Jeff April 15 2018 Thousands show Pride colors at spring festival The Roanoke Times p 1C Weir Luke May 22 2022 Flags food downtown for Local Colors Festival The Roanoke Times p 1A Standouts include Strawberry Festival Great Strides fundraiser The Roanoke Times May 3 2018 p 1D Dickens Tad April 7 2019 Down by Downtown Blue Ridge Marathon celebrate 10 years next week The Roanoke Times p 1E Dickens Tad April 28 2023 For boomers about to rock Festival in the Park goes the all tribute route for 23 The Roanoke Times p 8B a b Mouketo Julia September 16 2022 Henry Street Festival returns to Elmwood in full force The Roanoke Times p 8B Wall Sam September 21 2021 GO Fest ready to rock roll at new downtown location The Roanoke Times p 8B Berrier Jr Ralph December 3 2021 Dickens of a Christmas returning to downtown The Roanoke Times p 10B Editorial Our NBA dreams 50 years ago The Roanoke Times February 5 2021 p 6A Goldaper Sam August 1 1973 Nets Get Erving From Squires for Carter Cash and Dr J Coming Home To Do His Aerial Act The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Archived from the original on May 5 2023 Retrieved May 5 2023 McFarling Aaron June 19 2017 Salem salutes baseball bond The Roanoke Times p 1A a b Salem Baseball History MiLB com Archived from the original on June 28 2023 Retrieved June 28 2023 Berman Mark March 2 2022 Former Salem baseball team owner Kelvin Bowles dies at 82 The Roanoke Times p 3E a b c Berman Mark October 21 2015 Star City slap shot The Roanoke Times p 1A a b Pro Hockey in the Roanoke Valley The Roanoke Times July 21 2004 p 5A Waugh Katrina July 21 2004 ECHL ends Express franchise The Roanoke Times p 1A Sordelett Damien May 2 2023 Jansen s overtime winner lifts Rail Yard Dawgs to President s Cup title The Roanoke Times Archived from the original on May 3 2023 Retrieved May 3 2023 Men s Basketball History vs University of Virginia Virginia Tech Athletics Archived from the original on April 21 2023 Retrieved June 29 2023 Bogaczyk Jack January 25 2000 Campus sites will heat up state rivalry The Roanoke Times p 6B Ayers Glenn November 26 2009 A Roanoke Thanksgiving that is no more The Roanoke Times p 25A a b Wall Sam April 17 2022 Running back into its old form Roanoke marathon circles back to pre pandemic form crowds The Roanoke Times p 1A Boone Jenny Kincaid August 13 2009 New marathon rising in Roanoke The Roanoke Times p 1A Wall Sam June 18 2023 USA Cycling national championships close in downtown Roanoke The Roanoke Times p 3A Sturgeon Jeff June 5 2023 Final splash for Ironman Ironman athletes swim bike and run across the Roanoke Valley The Roanoke Times p 1A Roanoke Parks and Recreation About Us Roanoke Parks And Recreation Archived from the original on July 3 2023 Retrieved July 3 2023 Bradburn Bridget March 28 2011 Magnolia in Elmwood has Japanese heritage The Roanoke Times p 5B Roanoke Parks and Recreation Elmwood Park Roanoke Parks And Recreation Archived from the original on July 3 2023 Retrieved July 3 2023 Roanoke Valley Greenways www visitroanokeva com Virginia s Blue Ridge Archived from the original on May 5 2023 Retrieved May 4 2023 Nolen John 1907 Remodeling Roanoke A report to the committee on civic improvement by John Nolen Landscape Architect Report Archived from the original on May 5 2023 Retrieved May 5 2023 History Greenways greenways org Pathfinders for Greenways Archived from the original on May 5 2023 Retrieved May 5 2023 Roanoke Valley Greenways www virginia org Archived from the original on May 5 2023 Retrieved May 5 2023 Dehr Cooper July 29 2023 Bridge the Gap connects Roanoke greenway to Salem The Roanoke Times p 1A Roanoke County to hold meetings on extending greenway more Cardinal News October 19 2022 Archived from the original on May 10 2023 Retrieved May 5 2023 Shipley Kaylee August 26 2023 Roanoke Parks amp Recreation to host a celebration on National Public Lands Day wset com Retrieved December 21 2023 Dave Leip s Atlas of U S Presidential Elections uselectionatlas org Archived from the original on February 22 2011 Retrieved November 20 2020 Editorial The monuments come down The Roanoke Times July 3 2020 p 11A a b c Cramer John D May 16 1999 A look at the men behind the curtain The Roanoke Times p 1B Chittum Matt August 19 2018 Striking the right balance The Roanoke Times p 1A a b c Roanoke City Charter Article 4 charter of 2023 Virginia General Assembly Archived July 18 2023 at the Wayback Machine Sturgeon Jeff October 3 2022 Should council return to ward system Roanoke City Council candidates on a ward system for council and an elected school board The Roanoke Times p 1A Sherman Lea sworn in as Roanoke s mayor Go Dan River Archived from the original on November 26 2020 Retrieved May 8 2017 Berrier Jr Ralph November 4 2020 Lea wins second term as Roanoke mayor The Roanoke Times p 1A City Manager Roanoke VA www roanokeva gov Archived from the original on July 5 2023 Retrieved July 5 2023 Joseph L Cobb Roanoke VA www roanokeva gov Archived from the original on July 5 2023 Retrieved July 5 2023 Budget Development Roanoke VA www roanokeva gov Archived from the original on July 7 2023 Retrieved July 6 2023 City of Roanoke June 20 2023 FY 2023 2024 Adopted Budget Document PDF Report p 22 Archived from the original on July 7 2023 Retrieved July 6 2023 Virginia House of Delegates Member Listings virginiageneralassembly gov Archived from the original on July 5 2023 Retrieved July 5 2023 Senate of Virginia apps senate virginia gov Archived from the original on July 9 2023 Retrieved July 5 2023 Hammack Laurence February 28 2023 John Edwards decides not to seek another term as Roanoke senator The Roanoke Times Retrieved January 30 2024 About Congressman Ben Cline US House of Representatives January 3 2021 Archived from the original on July 21 2023 Retrieved July 5 2023 Chittum Matt March 4 2020 Roanoke and Blacksburg voters make some changes The Roanoke Times p 1A Dave Leip s Atlas of U S Presidential Elections uselectionatlas org Archived from the original on February 22 2011 Retrieved July 5 2023 Roanoke College Roanoke edu Archived from the original on July 19 2022 Retrieved July 19 2022 Hollins University Hollins At A Glance hollins edu Archived from the original on June 29 2022 Retrieved July 19 2022 Virginia Tech Carilion will create joint medical school in Roanoke Vtnews vt edu Virginia Tech January 3 2007 Archived from the original on June 2 2010 Retrieved August 27 2009 Rife Luanne April 23 2019 Radford University will seek to double number of nursing students after merger with Jefferson College The Roanoke Times p 1A Jones Sarah Bruyn September 28 2008 Va Tech Carilion Medical School taking shape The Roanoke Times p 1A0 Wall Sam October 12 2019 Radford University hires first health sciences provost The Roanoke Times p 1B Edwards John S August 19 2020 Twenty years of the Roanoke Higher Education Center The Roanoke Times p 51B About the Center Roanoke Higher Education Center Archived from the original on August 4 2023 Retrieved August 4 2023 Adkins Andrew February 21 2019 Education Notebook Hollins University Virginia Western announce guaranteed admission agreements The Roanoke Times p 2B Adkins Andrew July 20 2018 Virginia Western Averett reach deal linking criminal justice programs The Roanoke Times p 1B Mattingly Justin May 22 2020 ECPI University reopens campuses will take temperatures as people enter buildings The Roanoke Times p 2B Official website of Roanoke City Public Schools rcps info Archived from the original on July 22 2022 Retrieved July 19 2022 Patrick Henry High Virginia School Quality Profiles June 28 2023 Archived from the original on August 14 2023 Retrieved August 14 2023 William Fleming High Virginia School Quality Profiles June 28 2023 Archived from the original on August 14 2023 Retrieved August 14 2023 Roanoke Catholic School Mission Statement Roanokecatholic com Archived from the original on March 18 2009 Retrieved August 27 2009 Hammack Laurence April 24 2015 School celebrates 125 years of being a light on the hill The Roanoke Times p 1B McCallum Annie March 20 2013 Roanoke school halves its tuition fee The Roanoke Times p 1A McClenney Elizabeth G Research Guides Virginia Newspapers Home libguides roanoke edu Archived from the original on July 19 2023 Retrieved July 19 2023 US Securities and Exchange Commission September 25 2022 Lee Enterprises Inc Form 10 K Report Archived April 14 2023 at the Wayback Machine investors lee net Retrieved July 19 2023 Richmond Times Dispatch March 27 2020 Lee Enterprises completes acquisition of The Roanoke Times and other newspapers The Roanoke Times p 6B Woods Charlotte Rene October 20 2022 Virginia receives first 67 million from Johnson amp Johnson opioid settlement The Roanoke Times p 4A About us Cardinal News Archived from the original on August 1 2023 Retrieved July 21 2023 The Roanoke Star News The Roanoke Star News July 20 2023 Archived from the original on May 21 2020 Retrieved July 21 2023 Our History Roanoke Tribune Archived from the original on July 21 2023 Retrieved July 21 2023 Fifer Jordan February 2 2014 Black women honored for legacy to Roanoke The Roanoke Times p 1B Boone Jenny Kincaid February 9 2008 Selling Roanoke The Roanoke Times p 8C Nielsen DMA Rankings 2023 ustvdb com Archived from the original on June 5 2023 Retrieved July 20 2023 WSLS 10 News wsls com WSLS Archived from the original on June 22 2022 Retrieved June 22 2022 WDBJ Virginia Local News Weather Sports WDBJ7 com WDBJ Archived from the original on June 23 2022 Retrieved June 22 2022 WFXR News Homepage WFXRtv com Archived from the original on June 21 2022 Retrieved June 22 2022 Home Blue Ridge PBS Archived from the original on July 7 2023 Retrieved July 20 2023 Berrier Jr Ralph Jones Broadcasting moving to Roanoke Roanoke Times The VA July 21 2012 A8 Radio Market Survey Population Rankings amp Information PDF Nielsen The Nielsen Company Archived PDF from the original on November 8 2022 Retrieved July 21 2023 Roanoke Stations iHeartMedia Stations iHeartMedia www iheartmedia com Archived from the original on July 21 2023 Retrieved July 21 2023 a b Fabris Casey July 28 2020 Black Dog Salvage owners leave the TV limelight after 11 seasons of Salvage Dawgs The Roanoke Times p 1A Sturgeon Jeff June 20 2019 Diverging diamond interchange planned for Tanglewood exit in 2028 The Roanoke Times p 1B McDaniel Brenda June 30 2016 Williamson Road Roanoke s Historic Strip TheRoanoker com Archived from the original on December 18 2023 Retrieved July 21 2023 Parkway in Virginia Nps gov Archived from the original on September 1 2009 Retrieved August 27 2009 About us Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport flyroa com May 12 2014 Archived from the original on January 16 2022 Retrieved January 16 2022 Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport Roanoke Transportation www visitroanokeva com Archived from the original on July 21 2023 Retrieved July 21 2023 Kojima Emi May 5 2002 Roanoke s patriotic duty Air Force pilots sharpen skills at Roanoke Regional Airport The Roanoke Times p 1A Sturgeon Jeff July 22 2008 Can passenger rail return to Roanoke The Roanoke Times p 1A Sturgeon Jeff October 31 2017 Amtrak is back Amtrak returns to Roanoke The Roanoke Times p 1A Wickline Alison Roanoke celebrates inaugural Amtrak ride www wsls com Archived from the original on November 7 2017 Retrieved December 26 2017 Sturgeon Jeff July 12 2022 Roanoke Amtrak expansion rolling Significant ridership increase predicted The Roanoke Times p 1A Jordan Greg January 13 2016 Norfolk Southern consolidates Pocahontas Division moving headquarters to Roanoke Va Bluefield Daily Telegraph Archived from the original on July 25 2023 Retrieved July 25 2023 Sturgeon Jeff February 9 2019 Impasse fueling rail advocates Rail advocate to try again as I 81 road measures lack support The Roanoke Times p 1C Dehr Cooper June 15 2023 A great day for transportation Roanoke s new bus station a vision of where transportation is going The Roanoke Times p 1A Smart Bus Smart Way Bus smartwaybus com Archived from the original on July 24 2023 Retrieved July 24 2023 Transportation Rocky Mount VA va rockymount civicplus com Archived from the original on July 24 2023 Retrieved July 24 2023 Casey Dan September 22 2022 New safe cycling group rolls out The Roanoke Times p 2A Ruhlen Rachel June 27 2021 Less traffic more crashes The Roanoke Times p 6B Holland Monique March 12 2023 Shared transportation RIDE Solutions connects carpoolers van users and more Martinsville Bulletin Archived from the original on March 12 2023 Retrieved July 26 2023 Hammack Laurence September 24 2022 APCO appoints a new president The Roanoke Times p 9B a b History of the Authority Western Virginia Water Authority www westernvawater org Archived from the original on July 26 2023 Retrieved July 26 2023 a b c Health Care Roanoke County Economic Development VA www yesroanoke com Archived from the original on July 31 2023 Retrieved July 31 2023 Home Roanoke Valley Sister Cities Archived from the original on October 1 2017 Retrieved June 30 2020 Hunter Molly February 22 2023 Sister City ties on hold Roanoke s relationship with Russian city paused flag to be removed The Roanoke Times p 1A External links editRoanoke Virginia at Wikipedia s sister projects nbsp Definitions from Wiktionary nbsp Media from Commons nbsp News from Wikinews nbsp Quotations from Wikiquote nbsp Texts from Wikisource nbsp Textbooks from Wikibooks nbsp Resources from Wikiversity nbsp Travel information from Wikivoyage Official website Visit Virginia s Blue Ridge Downtown Roanoke Roanoke Regional Partnership Roanoke Outside Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Roanoke Virginia amp oldid 1209093954, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.