Main Street has become the setting for one of Salem’s most successful civic and commercial events – Olde Salem Days. The event began in 1981 with an estimated 12,000 visitors. By 1985, under the sponsorship of the Jaycees, “Days” drew some 40,000 persons and has continued to be a major draw encompassing a variety of vendors, musicians, crafters, and an antique car show.
Creator
Cline
Publisher
Roanoke Public Libraries
Date
1950s
Contributor
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Rights
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Format
Digital Postcard
Type
Still Image
Identifier
sr082
Is Version Of
Salem and Roanoke County in Vintage Postcards by Nelson Harris (2005)
At the corner of Floyd Avenue and Main Street in Wasena stood this house, part of the Howbert Farm. It was rented for many years by the Custer Family, who posed on the porch for this photograph.
Creator
George C. Davis Photography
Publisher
Roanoke Public Libraries
Date
Circa 1895
Rights
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
The old Roanoke County Courthouse, located at 301 E. Main Street in Salem was completed in 1910. Offices moved to a new building in 1985. The building is now owned by Roanoke College.
Creator
George C. Davis Photography
Publisher
Roanoke Public Libraries
Date
Circa 1930
Contributor
Courtesy of Nelson Harris
Rights
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
The Gables Shopping Center, located at 1322 S. Main Street in Blacksburg. Tenenants included Leggett's, Mick or Mack, Sears, A&P, Gables Pharmacy, T,G,&Y, High's Ice Cream, First Virginia Bank, Firestone, and Sherwin Williams Paints.
Creator
Throckmorton
Publisher
Roanoke Public Libraries
Date
May 1973
Rights
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
The old Blacksburg High School, later old Blacksburg Middle School, was located in the 500 block of S. Main Street in Blacksburg. The middle school closed in 2002 after completion of the new midle school on Prices Fork Road. The building was razed in 2011.
Creator
Throckmorton
Publisher
Roanoke Public Libraries
Date
May 1973
Rights
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Dirt streets and horse carriages marked town living one hundred years ago. In the foreground, one can see the outline of a crosswalk, probably brick, that allowed pedestrians to maneuver across streets avoiding ankle-deep mud that often plagued towns following heavy rains.
Creator
unknown
Publisher
Roanoke Public Libraries
Date
1910
Contributor
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Rights
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Format
Digital Postcard
Type
Still Image
Identifier
sr075
Is Version Of
Salem and Roanoke County in Vintage Postcards by Nelson Harris (2005)
Prominent on the left is a sign for W.B. Dillard Drug Co., Prescription Druggists, Soda and Mineral Waters. Watts Dillard was a prominent Salem business man involved in numerous civic projects. His drugstore, at the corner of Main and College, got a hot-water soda urn in 1901 which was big news. A local newspaper reported “both hot and cold drinks will be served in summer and winter.” This same establishment had turned heads with the installation of a “fly brush and fan,” a contraption that drove away flies from the soda fountain and kept air stirring constantly!
Creator
unknown
Publisher
Roanoke Public Libraries
Date
1910
Contributor
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Rights
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Format
Digital Postcard
Type
Still Image
Identifier
sr079
Is Version Of
Salem and Roanoke County in Vintage Postcards by Nelson Harris (2005)
This hotel stood on Main Street and was erected by W.D.F. Duval in 1871. It contained 40 to 50 rooms with bath tubs and running water. For a few years, the hotel was owned by the Chapman family and renamed the Lucerne.
Creator
unknown
Publisher
Roanoke Public Libraries
Date
1909
Contributor
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Rights
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Format
Digital Postcard
Type
Still Image
Identifier
sr114
Is Version Of
Salem and Roanoke County in Vintage Postcards by Nelson Harris (2005)
While termed “First” church here, the sanctuary is known as home to the Salem Presbyterian Church located on Main Street. Salem Presbyterian was organized in 1831 and dedicated this sanctuary in 1852. Additions were made in 1914 and 1958.
Creator
unknown
Publisher
Roanoke Public Libraries
Date
1910
Contributor
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Rights
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Format
Digital Postcard
Type
Still Image
Identifier
sr132
Is Version Of
Salem and Roanoke County in Vintage Postcards by Nelson Harris (2005)
The construction of a "new" Federal post office on Main Street was a saga of many years. Land purchased by the government in 1917 went undeveloped until 1922 when construction finally commenced. The post office officially opened in June of 1923.
Creator
unknown
Publisher
Roanoke Public Libraries
Date
1931
Contributor
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Rights
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Format
Digital Postcard
Type
Still Image
Identifier
sr148
Is Version Of
Salem and Roanoke County in Vintage Postcards by Nelson Harris (2005)
W.G. Ronk took the picture that produced this card of turn-of-the-century Main Street, which James Simpson originally called Roanoke Street. The street was only a few blocks long when first developed, running from present-day Colorado Street to Union Street.
Creator
W.G. Ronk
Publisher
Roanoke Public Libraries
Date
1906
Contributor
Nelson Harris, George Wade
Rights
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Format
Digital Postcard
Type
Still Image
Identifier
sr076
Is Version Of
Salem and Roanoke County in Vintage Postcards by Nelson Harris (2005)