Virginia Room Digital Collection

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The Virginia Room Digital Collection includes photographs, oral histories, books, pamphlets and finding aids to items in the Virginia Room. Continue to check back for new additions.

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The Hotel Pierce was located on the site that would be become the Hotel Dumas.

The Dun Roamin' Motel and Lodge was located at 1803 Williamson Road NE.

The Skyline Motel is located at 5458 Franklin Road.

The Gay Lee Motel was located 20 miles west of Roanoke on US 460.

Mt. Scenery Tourist Court was located at 3111 Williamson Road NW.

Rest Haven Tourist Home was located 2 miles north of Roanoke on Route 11.

Wedgewood Guesthouse was located at 737 13th Street SW.

The 220 Motel was located 2 miles south of Roanoke on US 220.

The Redwood Motel is located at 18021 Virgil H Goode Highway in Rocky Mount.

Woodhaven Tourst Home was located at 2802 Williamson Road.

Lee-Hy Auto Court was located west of Roanoke on Route 11.

Michigan Tourist Court was located two miles east of Salem on Route 11.

The Hotel Stratford was located at 102-106 N. Jefferson Street.

The Shenandoah Hotel opened on 5 November 1909. Originally consisting of two buildings, separated by an 8-foot alley, the Salem Avenue facing building seen here would later become the Hotel Lee followed by the Hotel Earle. The building was destroyed…

The Savoy was located at 518 2nd Street SW, currently 450 2nd Street SW.

Interior of Hotel Raleigh office and lobby. Hotel Raleigh was located at 126 Campbell Avenue SW.

Air Castle Tourist Court was located at 7121 Williamson Road.

Air Castle Tourist Court was located at 7121 Williamson Road.

The Mountain View Inn was located in Natural Bridge.

Plaza Tourist Court was located at 3011 Williamson Road. NE

Silver Gables Tourist Court was located at 3404 Brandon Avenue SW.

Silver Gables Tourist Court was located at 3404 Brandon Avenue SW.

The Colony House Motor Lodge is located at 3560 Franklin Road.

Hotel Roanoke

Rockledge Inn opened in the Spring of 1892 as a resort hotel. It featured sweeping verandas and views of the city, tennis and croquet courts, large stone fireplaces and a private coach that ran from the depot to the inn. Rockledge Inn would…

The Crawford 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.

The original Ponce de Leon Hotel located at 131 Campbell Avenue SW. The elegant verandas are gone by the time this photograph was taken. In December 1930, the building was totally destroyed by fire, killing one resident and injuring others. It was…

Lee-Hy Auto Court was located on Route 11 west of the Roanoke City limits.

Hollins Inn Restaurant and Tourist Court, formerly located 5 miles north of Roanoke on Route 11.

Postcard for Moonlight Tourist Camp, formerly located 2 miles south of Roanoke on Route 220.

A postcard for Silver Gable Tourist Court, formerly located on Route 11.

Postcard of the Blue Jay Restaurant and Motel, formerly located on Route 11, 6 miles west of Salem.

Plaza Tourist Court, formerly located at 3011 Williamson Road.

Rockledge Inn on Mill Mountain.

City Hotel was built in 1886 on the southeast corner of Jefferson Street and Salem Avenue.

The original Ponce de Leon Hotel located at 131 Campbell Avenue SW. The elegant verandas are gone by the time this photograph was taken. In December 1930, the building was totally destroyed by fire, killing one resident and injuring others. It was…

Blue Ridge Springs was one of a number of summer resorts in Southwestern Virginia. It boasted the healing powers of dyspepsia in its natural spring. Like many resorts of its kind, Blue Ridge Springs fell into disrepair during the Great Depression. …

Crockett Springs Resort, near Shawsville, was one of a number of summer resorts in Southwestern Virginia that boasted the healing powers of its spring waters. The resort opened in 1889 and closed shortly before 1940. The hotel was razed in 1966.

Canoers on Mountain Lake. The second Mountain Lake Lodge, built in 1875, can be seen in the distance. The current stone lodge replaced this structure in 1936.

Blue Ridge Springs was one of a number of summer resorts in Southwestern Virginia. It boasted the healing powers of dyspepsia in its natural spring. Like many resorts of its kind, Blue Ridge Springs fell into disrepair during the Great Depression. …

The second Ponce de Leon Hotel located at 131 Campbell Avenue SW.

Salvation Army Hotel, formerly located at 201 2nd Street SW.

The original Natural Bridge Hotel. The hotel burned in 1963 and was replaced by the current hotel in 1964.

The second Ponce de Leon Hotel located at 131 Campbell Avenue SW.

The original Ponce de Leon Hotel located at 131 Campbell Avenue SW. The elegant verandas are gone by the time this photograph was taken. In December 1930, the building was totally destroyed by fire, killing one resident and injuring others. It was…

The original Natural Bridge Hotel. The hotel burned in 1963 and was replaced by the current hotel in 1964.

Patrick Henry Hotel

Interior view of the Patrick Henry Hotel lobby.

Looking north on Jefferson Street.

Hotel Roanoke

Formerly located on the southwest corner of Williamson Road and Salem Avenue, the Big Lick Hotel would go through several iterations, including a portion of the Shenandoah Hotel, the Lee Hotel and Hotel Earle. The building was gutted by fire in 1991…

Shown under construction is the Marriott formerly located on Prices Fork Road in Blacksburg across from the Virginia Tech Golf Course.

Comfort Inn, located at 2545 Lee Highway in Troutville.

Comfort Inn, located at 2545 Lee Highway in Troutville.

The Hitching Post Motel, formerly located at 7656 Williamson Road.

Colonial Tourist Home, formerly located at 3824 Williamson Road.

Days Inn, Kimball

Holiday Inn, Commonwealth

Travel Lodge, Commonwealth

Travel Lodge, Commonwealth

Travel Lodge, Commonwealth

Downtown East

Peaks of Otter Lodge in the latter part of construction.

The Parkway Motel was located on Route 220, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, three miles south of Roanoke. The card promoted the motel as having “room telephone, air conditioning, all tile baths, hot water heat, air foam mattresses.” The motel was…

In 1927, Salem businessman Henry A. Oakey purchased the former Hotel Salem and changed its name to Hotel Fort Lewis. The structure was demolished in 1974 .

The Homestead Hotel has a long history. Built by David Wade in 1802, it was formerly known as the Old Globe Tavern with five huge fireplaces and 27-inch thick walls. At the time this card was published, it was the only original stage coach tavern…

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.

The vast majority of tourist homes, motor courts, motels and other tourist-related businesses dried up after the emergence of President Eisenhower’s interstate highway system. Small towns were bypassed, and routes, such as Route 11, were no longer…

Traveltown, located on Route 11 in Cloverdale, advertised “Every cottage heated with Private Bath.” In the mid-1920s, Route 11 became a link in the Washington-to-San Diego Lee Highway, making it a part of the transcontinental highway system.

Windsor Court Motel was at 1908 W. Main Street, Salem. Effie Snead was the owner and, at the time the card was published, Charles Snead was the manager.

This motor court was managed by H.R. Poole, who mailed this particular card to Joseph Lang of West Hempstead, NY, with the simple message, “You’re welcome in Virginia.” The establishment lured visitors by claiming “no truck or railroad noise.” Its…

The Goodwin Motel’s postcard boasted “approved drinking water.” The motel was located west of Salem on Route 11, which served for many years as the modern-day equivalent of the interstate.

The sender of this postcard wrote, “Will spend New Years Eve here, rained all day, having a good time. This motel is very comfortable. See you in San Francisco.” The Fort Lewis Tourist Courts was ½ mile west of Salem on Route 11.

Look Out Lodge postcard, Bent Mountain.

Look Out Lodge postcard, Bent Mountain.

The Manor House at Lakeview Motor Lodge, formerly located at 6910 Williamson Road.

Lakeview Motor Lodge, formerly located at 6910 Williamson Road.

"Tourist Camp Fort Lewis Courts. Steam heat, tile private baths, innerspring mattresses, closed garages. One of the best in the east, 8 miles west of Roanoke, Virginia. One-half mile west of Salem, Virginia. US Route No. 11. Open all year. Mr. and…

"Rockledge Inn, Roanoke, Virginia."

"Hotel Roanoke and Lawn."

" A modern 250 room version of an Old English Inn, set in the midst of its own ten acre park, in the heart of the city. A new 50 car garage connects directly to lobby. George L. Denison, Manager."

"A modern version of an Old English Inn, set in the midst of its own ten acre park. In the heart of the city. Modern 50 car garage in direct connection with the lobby. Kenneth R. Hyde, Manager."

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke Virginia. Ample free parking space. A ten acre park. In the heart of the city. Kenneth R. Hyde, Manager."

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke Virginia. A modern air conditioned version of an Old English Inn, set in the midst of its own ten acre park, in the heart of the city. A 100 car garage connects directly to the lobby. George L. Denison, Resident Manager.…

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke Virginia. Hotel Roanoke, a completely air conditioned modern version of an Old English Inn, is located on a beautifully gardened tract of land in the heart of the city. It is famed as a convention center and known as the…

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia. A modern air conditioned, 325 room version of an Old English Inn , set in the midst of its own ten acre park in the heart of the City. A 100 car garage connects directly to the lobby. Kenneth Hyde, General…

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia. A modern air conditioned 300 room version of an Old English Inn , set in the midst of its own ten acres park in the heart of the city. A new 100 car garage connects directly with the lobby. On the Norfolk and…

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia. A modern, air conditioned 300 room version of an Old English Inn set in the midst of its own ten acre park in the heart of the City. A new 100 car garage connects directly with the lobby."

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia."

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia."

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia."

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia."

"Of striking Old English architecture, Hotel Roanoke emphasizes comfort and convenience throughout. Located in the midst of its own beautifully landscaped ten acre grounds, within a few minutes' walk of the shopping and theatre district of Roanoke,…

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia. One of the South's finest of hostelries, catering to many state and national conventions yearly."

"Hotel Roanoke and Motor Inn, Roanoke, Virginia 24006. A delightful, modern version of an Old English Inn, located in its own ten acre park in the center of Roanoke. 425 air-conditioned rooms. Gourmet restaurants. Free parking. Heated outdoor…

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia."

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia."

"Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia. F.E. Foster, Proprietor. Open all Year."

"Hotel Roanoke, a modern version of an Old English Inn, situated in a park of ten acres in the heart of the City of Roanoke, Virginia. In the background at the left are the old and new General Office Buildings of the Norfolk & Western Railway."

"Depot, Offices and Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia."

"The Ponce de Leon Hotel located in the center of the business and shopping district, Roanoke, Virginia. All rooms air-conditioned. Coffee shop and private dining rooms with free guest parking lot adjacent, make this one of the city's most attractive…

"Ponce de Leon Hotel, Roanoke, Virginia. Located at the intersection of Campbell Avenue and Commerce Street, within easy walking distance of business and shopping district and of theatres. Every streetcar and every highway route passing through the…

"Ponce de Leon Hotel, Roanoke, Virginia."

"The Ponce de Leon Hotel, Roanoke, Virginia., ocated in the heart of the city, is a beautiful structure of modernistic design containing 200 attractive outside rooms. The interior arrangement follows a Spanish motif in keeping with name, and…

"New Ponce de Leon Hotel, Roanoke, Virginia. Located at the intersection of Campbell Avenue and Commerce Street, within easy walking distance of business and shopping district and of theatres, which accessibility is so desirable. Every streetcar and…

"Hotel Ponce de Leon, Roanoke, Virginia."

"Ponce de Leon Hotel and Annex, Roanoke, Virginia."

"Hotel Ponce de Leon, Roanoke, Virginia."

"Patrick Henry Hotel from Elmwood Park - Roanoke, Virginia. This view from Elmwood Park in the heart of Roanoke shows part of the Roanoke Public Library and the Patrick Henry Hotel, located on S. Jefferson Street."

"Hotel Patrick Henry, Roanoke, Virginia. 400 rooms with bath, ceiling fan, circulating ice water. Garage direct entrance to lobby. Fay M. Thomas, Manager."

Patrick Henry Hotel

"Hotel Patrick Henry, Roanoke, Virginia. 300 rooms, 300 baths. Robert R. Meyer, President. A.B. Moody, Manager."

"Patrick Henry Hotel, Roanoke, Virginia. 300 rooms, each with bath - 125 air conditioned. Fine coffee shop. Airlines office in lobby. Bus station nearby. Located on the edge of the business district. Information on Blue Ridge Parkway. Routes US 11,…

Hotel Shenandoah

"Hotel Lenox, opposite west exit N&W passenger station. In the heart of Roanoke, Virginia."

"English Village, five miles north of Roanoke, Virginia. Intersection US Route 11 and VA 117. If you are going to be late arriving, wire English Village and we will gladly make reservations for you. Cottages heated and equipped with tile showers,…

"Plaza Motor Court, open all year. 22 rooms - hot water heat, innerspring mattress each bed, high class restaurant adjacent on US 11 and 220. 4513 Williamson Road, Roanoke, VA 24012. Thomas Scordas, Proprietor, Manager."

"Jolly Jay Tea Room and Blue Eagle Tourist Court, also One Stop Service Station. Complete modern equipment. Located on US 11, one mile north of Roanoke, Virginia. D.T. Oyler and sons, proprietors."

"Hitching Post Motel, US Highways 11 and 220...2 miles north of Roanoke, Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Windel, Owners and Managers."

A large two story and basement building, frame clapboard and wood shingle construction, wood shingle roof, board floors, wood board interior finish, electric lighting, heat from stoves and fireplaces; in poor condition. Occupancy: First floor - dance…

The Roanoker Motor Lodge, formerly located at 7645 Williamson Road.

A view of the grounds and guest cottages at Craig Healing Springs.

The Salem Cottage at Craig Healing Springs.

J.W. Ould Cottage at Craig Healing Springs.

Guests in the swimming pool at Craig Healing Springs.

Entrance gate at Craig Healing Springs.

The central office at Craig Healing Springs.

Motel Hollins, formerly located at 1231 Lee HIghway.

Air Castle Court Motel, formerly located at 7121 Williamson Road.

Unidentified kitchen staff in the ballroom of the Patrick Henry Hotel.

A typical guest room in the Patrick Henry Hotel.

Lobby of the Patrick Henry Hotel.

The ballroom of the Patrick Henry Hotel.

Close-up showing main entrance to the Patrick Henry Hotel on Jefferson Street.

The Patrick Henry Hotel as seen from Roanoke Public Library.

The Patrick Henry Hotel as seen from Elmwood Park.

Archie's House of Beef was located in the Holiday Inn that once stood at the corner of Orange Avenue and Williamson Road.

Archie's House of Beef was located in the Holiday Inn that once stood at the corner of Orange Avenue and Williamson Road.

Holiday Inn formerly located at the corner of Orange Avenue and Williamson Road.

Damage to Natural Bridge Hotel after fire on 23 April 1963.

Damage to Natural Bridge Hotel after fire on 23 April 1963.

Damage to Natural Bridge Hotel after fire on 23 April 1963.

Damage to Natural Bridge Hotel after fire on 23 April 1963.

Damage to Natural Bridge Hotel after fire on 23 April 1963.

Damage to Natural Bridge Hotel after fire on 23 April 1963.

Damage to Natural Bridge Hotel after fire on 23 April 1963.

Damage to Natural Bridge Hotel after fire on 23 April 1963.

Damage to Natural Bridge Hotel after fire on 23 April 1963.

Damage to Natural Bridge Hotel after fire on 23 April 1963.

Damage to Natural Bridge Hotel from fire on 23 April 1963.

Damage to Natural Bridge Hotel after fire on 23 April 1963.

Damage to Natural Bridge Hotel from fire on 23 April 1963.

Superimposed image of the Patrick Henry Hotel.

Hotel Roanoke. Civic Center and I581 can be seen to the right. First Baptist Church, destroyed by fire in 1995, and St. Andrews can be seen at left.

View of the rear of the Hotel Ponce De Leon, with the remainder of a building's foundation visible in foreground.

View of Patrick Henry Hotel from Elmwood Park.

Scene in Elmwood Park with a view of Patrick Henry Hotel.

View of Hotel Patrick Henry from Elmwood Park

Gulf Truckstops at Troutville.

American Motor Inns, formerly located at 103 Campbell Avenue.

Raleigh Tavern, Roanoke's first hotel, was located on Lynchburg (Orange) Avenue NE. Built in the early 1800s and long known as Pate's Tavern, it was a popular stopping-place on the north-south stages or on the road from Lynchburg west to Seven Mile…

The Roy Lemon trio performs at Craig Healing Springs.

Guests play cards at Craig Healing Springs

The dance floor in full swing at Craig Healing Springs.

Guests enjoy a performance at Craig Healing Springs.

Guests attend a church service held in the Glass House at Craig Healing Springs.

An unidentified group poses in front of the spring house at Craig Healing Springs.

An unidentified group next to the Glass House at Craig Healing Springs. The brick building the the Oak Lodge.

The central office of Craig Healing Springs.

The central office of Craig Healing Springs.

A chef prepares biscuits in the Craig Healing Springs kitchen.

A night view of Craig Healing Springs Resort.

Guests dine in the dining hall at Craig Healing Springs.

Interior view of the dining hall at Craig Healing Springs.

The Jefferson at Craig Healing Springs was built in 1910. Though some of the buildings still exist, the Jefferson was razed in 1970.

Main entrance to Craig Healing Springs

An unidentified group stands in front of the dining hall and central office of Craig Healing Springs.

Howard Johnson's Motel and Restaurant, formerly located at 7656 Williamson Road.

Rockledge Inn opened in the Spring of 1892 as a resort hotel. It featured sweeping verandas and views of the city, tennis and croquet courts, large stone fireplaces and a private coach that ran from the depot to the inn. Rockledge Inn would…

Rockledge Inn opened in the Spring of 1892 as a resort hotel. It featured sweeping verandas and views of the city, tennis and croquet courts, large stone fireplaces and a private coach that ran from the depot to the inn. Rockledge Inn would…

Rockledge Inn opened in the Spring of 1892 as a resort hotel. It featured sweeping verandas and views of the city, tennis and croquet courts, large stone fireplaces and a private coach that ran from the depot to the inn. Rockledge Inn would…

The Roanoker Motor Lodge, formerly located at 7645 Williamson Road.

View of the Shangri La Motel and Sign, once located at 5125 Williamson Road.

The sign for the Holiday Inn of America in Roanoke, formerly located at 7120 Williamson Road.

The sign for the Hitching Post Motel, which was located at 7656 Williamson Road.

Big Oak Motel was located at 2501 Williamson Road.

Monticello Motel was located at 5046 Williamson Road.

Raleigh Tavern, Roanoke's first hotel, was located on Lynchburg (Orange) Avenue NE. Built in the early 1800s and long known as Pate's Tavern, it was a popular stopping-place on the north-south stages or on the road from Lynchburg west to Seven Mile…

Pastry chef and Kazim Shriner pose next to a pastry display for the Shriners at the Patrick Henry.

Patrick Henry Hotel ballroom prepared for a banquet.

The Patrick Henry is seen from Elmwood Park.

The Patrick Henry as seen from Elmwood Park.

View of the Patrick Henry from Elmwood Park.

Rorer Park Hotel. The hotel was purchased by the citizens of Roanoke and presented to the Alleghany Institute, a school for boys. The Institute used this structure for three years.

Looking north at Hotel Roanoke.

The Writing Room in Hotel Roanoke. This space is now an extension of the Pine Room Pub.

The lobby of Hotel Roanoke.

A private dining room in Hotel Roanoke.

The Regency Room, Hotel Roanoke's main dining room.

A typical guest room in Hotel Roanoke.

The ballroom in Hotel Roanoke.

A view of one of the private parlors in Hotel Roanoke.

English Lounge in Hotel Roanoke. This space is now called the Pine Room.

Cigar Counter in Hotel Roanoke.

Palm Court in Hotel Roanoke.

West entrance of the Hotel Roanoke

West entrance of the Hotel Roanoke.

Main entrance of Hotel Roanoke.

Main entrance of Hotel Roanoke.

Exterior of garage at Hotel Roanoke.

Hotel Roanoke

Hotel Roanoke

Entrance of the Hotel Roanoke.

Hotel Roanoke

Hotel Roanoke

Night scene of the Hotel Roanoke.

Hotel Roanoke

Hotel Roanoke

The Hotel Roanoke during the construction of an addition by the Virginia Bridge Company.

The Hotel Roanoke under construction. Construction by the Virginia Bridge Company.

The Hotel Roanoke under construction. Construction by the Virginia Bridge Company.

Hotel Roanoke shown during contruction of addition.

The Hotel Roanoke.

The Hotel Roanoke has gone through mulitple renovations, due to fire and to increase its size. This undated photo depicts the hotel in one of its many "phases". Despite the renovations, the hotel has maintained its distinctive style.

Sign for the Hotel Roanoke.

Hotel Roanoke.

Hotel Roanoke

Hotel Roanoke

Hotel Roanoke.

Hotel Roanoke

Bird's eye view of Hotel Roanoke. Spires of St. Andrew's Cathedral can be seen in upper left corner.

An early view of the Hotel Roanoke.

Hotel Roanoke was built in 1882 by the Norfolk and Western Railway.

The Hotel Roanoke in 1886.

In July 1898, a fire started in the kitchen of the hotel. This photo makes the fire appear worse than it actually was, as the hotel was only closed for several months. Notice the furniture on the lawn; hotel guests and employees removed what they…

The Hotel Roanoke.

The Ponce de Leon Hotel at 131 Campbell Avenue. This building was constructed in 1931 on the foundation of the previous Ponce de Leon which burned in 1931.

Soldiers guarding the Liberty Bell in Roanoke. Hotel Roanoke is visible in the background. The Liberty Bell stopped in Roanoke during its tour through the United States in 1895.

Norfolk & Western freight station. Looking southwest toward downtown. View of buildings on Norfolk Avenue. St. James Hotel in background.

Looking northeast from 1st Street and Day Avenue.

The Patrick Henry Hotel.
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