The Robertson Singers of Roanoke. Seated, left to right: J.H. Robertson, Mrs. J.H. Robertson; standing, left to right: J.W. Harris, Charles Wiley, and V. Guerrant.
N&W Magazine
The Roanoke Valley in the 1940s
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Members of the Roanoke Gun Club on opening day. J.J. Barry was president.
Norfolk & Western members of the 23rd Battalion, US Marine Corps Reserve, 116th Infantry.
An aerial view looking east on the Norfolk & Western Shops.
Singer and actress Jeanette MacDonald arriving in Roanoke by train.
Jack Dempsey aboard the Pocahontas after refereeing a wrestling match at the Roanoke Auditorium. Dempsey was boxing heavyweight champ from 1919-1926.
Choirs of Bethel AME Church and Starkey Church.
Norfolk & Western Railway Veterans Association 10th Annual Meeting at the Roanoke Auditorium opens with "Stand By America", led vocally by Mrs. Ruth Thomas.
Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Hu Shih, shakes hands with Virginia Chamber of Commerce president J.S. Easley as George Dunglinson looks on.
The Norfolk & Western Machine Shop balcony served as a platform for speakers and musicians during a war savings bond rally that observed an 88% participation rate by N&W employees.
The USO Lounge at the Norfolk & Western Passenger Station formally opened on 13 May 1942.
W.C. Driscoll demonstrates his patented new outdoor bowling game, Sok-A-Blok. The game was manufactured by Whitescarver and Dyal and sold in local hardware stores.
Norfolk & Western Shops Noon-Day Chorus. The group rehearsed and sang each day at lunchtime.
US Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Morgenthau, Jr. speaks at a speakers platform at the Roanoke Auditorium.
Norfolk & Western Male Chorus singing, "I've Been Working on the Railroad", for a system-wide radio broadcast.
Frantz Flying Service opened in 1948 at Woodrum Field. It was owned by T.E. "Boots" Frantz (right); Wes Hillman (left) was an employee.
Radio production for Norfolk & Western broadcast heard on WSLS and other radio stations served by N&W. Left to right: J.L. Ramsey, material inspector; Ed Skotch, WSLS production manager; Tom Slater, WSLS announcer; Phillip Briggs, WSLS engineer.
Class J-1 Engine No. 605 rolls out of the Norfolk & Western Shops. War rationing meant no streamlined cowling or roller bearings on the rods.
Norfolk & Western Shops wheel rollers put on an exhibition at the Virginia Press Association convention for cameras from MGM, Paramount, Fox Movietone News, and the Roanoke Times. Participants were John Canty, Pleas Casey, Charles Wiley, and Thomas Campbell.
Norfolk & Western Freight Car Department employees line up to submit their membership applications to Edith Davis of Blue Cross. Note that health insurance premiums were five cents per day.
Lt. E.H. St. Clair of Roanoke is shown in the cockpit of his flying fortress, "The Roanoke Magician", in England. He was a veteran of over 30 combat attacks and a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Roanoke All-Stars semi-pro baseball team. Front row, left to right: S. Robinson, M. Williams, R.F. Rice, Babe Easley, G. Hampton, H. Petey, Edward Jones, manager; Back row, left to right: Scrappy Brown, F. Boyd, G. Brown, R.R. McAsee, R. Wood, and P.R. Dawson.
Marble shooter Larry Vinson with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl O. Vinson.
Colored Division of the Norfolk & Western Veterans Association meeting in front of the Virginia Theatre.
James Pullen (center, in conductor's cap) assists Norfolk & Western Passenger Station employees with removal of a war veteran's remains from the baggage car of Train No. 23.
A class of Navy pilot cadets pose in front of a Douglas C-47 at Woodrum Field. Ground school was conducted at Roanoke College.
Roanoke Black Cardinals semi-pro baseball team. Front row, left to right: Palmer, Rice, Jones (manager), Dawson, Perry, Boyd; Back row, left to right: G. Brown, Craighead, C. Brown, and Williams.
Captain Julian S. Wise, with some equipment used by the Roanoke Life Saving and First Aid Crew, gives a presentation to a civic group at the Hotel Roanoke.
Norfolk & Western Band in new uniforms. Kneeling at left is the director, L. Christensen.
The first "control tower" at Woodrum Field, an 8-foot square shed built on top of the Cannaday home, could be accessed by going onto the roof.
The Cannaday home with the control tower on top.
Class of Navy aviation cadets in front of a C-47 at Woodrum Field.
Congressman Clifton Woodrum, Sr. stands in front of his Fairchild 24. Woodrum soloed in 1942
Woodrum Field with the Cannaday home and control tower.
The "funeral procession" for "Johnny Non-Voter" on Jefferson Street in route to the municipal building. The funeral was a promotion by the Roanoke Junior Chamber of Commerce as a means to get Roanokers to vote in the Democratic primaries for Congress.
Famous aviator, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker (left foreground), who was president of Eastern Airlines, came to Roanoke for Eastern's inaugural flight to Woodrum Field. He was greeted by business leaders and others.
The congregation of Mt. Zion AME Church.
Roy Kinsey, Jr., John Payne, and Bob Kinsey on the day the Mill Mountain Star was lit.
Roy Hall and his band with Roy Rogers. Left to right: Wayne Watson, Tommy Magness, Roy Hall, Roy Rogers, Woody Mashburn, Bill Brown, and Clayton Hall.
Lester Kelly in Engine 10, a 1940 Dodge fire truck at the Williamson Road Station. The Williamson Road Station was annexed into the city on 1 January 1949
Fireman drafted into military service at Fire Station No. 1.
Firemen at Fire Station No. 1. Left to right: Earl Hawkins, Charles Nolley, James Nichols, William Barker, Edward Barker, Ernest Buford, Daniel Sink, Leonard Black, Maynard Peters, Eslie Knowles, and Earnest Ferguson.
Starkey Baseball Team. Front row, left to right: Randolf Reed, Joe Starkey, Edgar Musgrove, A.R. Meador, Jr., Edward Burris; Back row, left to right: John Slovensky, Minnix, Earnest Arthur, Junior Haislip, Clifton Meador, and David Mitchell. Bat boy on right is Dicky Meador.
Charles Harris at his home on Westover Avenue SW.
The Zoo Choo in operation at the Children’s Zoo on Mill Mountain. The official name was the Jaycee Star Liner as it was sponsored by the Roanoke Jaycees.
The Roanoke Valley in the 1950s
For permission to use, please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073.
Singer Marian Anderson was welcomed at the N&W Railway passenger station by Roanoke Mayor A. R. Minton. Joining him were Rev. William Simmons (fifth from right) and some members of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church.
This 1950s postcard shows the main entrance to the Children’s Zoo. The blocks spelling out the zoo’s name were added in 1954.
This early 1950s postcard shows the Noah’s Ark animal exhibit at the Children’s Zoo on Mill Mountain.
This postcard depicts Archie’s Lobster House and Town House.
In 1954, S&W Cafeteria moved from Jefferson Street to 16 Church Avenue in the former Greyhound Bus Terminal.
The Times-World Building on Campbell Avenue.
During her visit to Roanoke, Sheena visited local businesses. Here the “Queen of the Jungle” (center) is at the Harris & Huddleston Super Market on Pollard Street in Vinton. William Harris (left) and Warren Huddleston (right) pose with her.
Postcard depicting the "Willy the Whale" exhibit at the Children's Zoo on Mill Mountain.
Aerial view of Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
The Everly Brothers perform at Lakeside Amusement Park,
A view of the midway at Lakeside Amusement Park.
Postcard depicting Lewis-Gale Hospital when it was located at the corner of 3rd Street and Luck Avenue.
A montage of attractions at Lakeside Amusement Park.
The Howard Johnson's Restaurant opened in January 1952 on Route 11 east of Roanoke.
A billboard for Piedmont Airlines atop storefronts in the 500 block of South Jefferson Street Piedmont was one of the main air carriers serving the Roanoke Valley during the 1950s. The company was headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC.
Lee-Hy Auto Court was located on Route 11 west of the Roanoke City limits.
Riverside School was located on Riverdale Road SE. The school closed in 1952.
Roy Minnix poses in front of his new 1951 Chevrolet in Belmont Park.
Bradford’s Seafood Restaurant was located at 2523 Franklin Road, SW.
Roy Kinsey (fourth from right) and his employees pose in front of the Roy C. Kinsey Sign Company at 22 Wells Avenue, NE.
Members of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity stand in front of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Rev. William Simmons, the church’s pastor, is fifth from right.
Davidson's Esso was located at the intersection of Williamson Road and Peters Creek Road. The station was owned by C.R. Davidson.
Bart Galbraith is in the shop of his Virginia Armature Company at 314 Salem Avenue SW.
The Roanoke Valley in the 1950s.
Participants in Vacation Bible School at Melrose Baptist Church. 390 children were enrolled.
Judy Holladay was crowned as Salem's Sesquicentennial Queen.
B.E. Conner Market was located at 3676 Colonial Avenue SW. It was owned and operated by Bob Conner.
Roy and June Holcomb (center right) and the employees of State Office Supply. The Holcombs were the owners of the store located at 511 S. Jefferson Street.
A view of Campbell Avenue looking west from Williamson Road.
Participants in Vacation Bible School at Belmont Baptist Church.
Kroger formerly located at the corner of 9th Street and Bullitt Avenue SE.
The 2,000-seat amphitheater in Sherwood Burial Park.
Construction of the Sherwood Burial Park amphitheater.
The Roanoke Drag Strip at Starkey Speedway. The dragstrip opened in June 1958
The Colony House Motor Lodge is located at 3560 Franklin Road.
Lakeside Amusement Park. The Wildcat roller coaster was replaced by the Shooting Star in 1968.
A circular of information including location, railroad facilities, business interests, manufacturing prospects, water power, mineral wealth, fertile lands, healthful climate, social, moral, religious and educational advantages.
Salem, Virginia: Its Advantages and Attractions
A circular of information on Salem as a place of residence, business, investment, and manufacturing.
Date of Birth: January 26, 1828 Mayor from July 1, 1885 to June 30, 1886 Other offices held: Missouri State Legislature, 1860-1862 Date of Death: November 28, 1903
Samuel Griggs Date of Birth: April 1827 Mayor, Town of Big Lick: July 1, 1876 to June 30, 1878 Date of Death: June 21, 1903
Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries
Lucy Addison High School, stage performance
Roanoke Public Libraries Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries
Lucy Addison High School, young woman posing
Public Libraries Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use.
Lucy Addison High School, young woman posing.
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2073 for permission to use
Lucy Addison High School, young woman posing, "August 1956, Mary.”
Lucy Addison High School, “Ruth Robinson” posing
Lucy Addison High School, portrait of a young woman
Lucy Addison High School, “Lou Robin Roseboro.”
Lucy Addison High School, “Connie Isabel.”
Lucy Addison High School. Couple in formal attire.
Lucy Addison High School, three young women posing
Lucy Addison High School, two young women posing
Lucy Addison High School, Group of young women
Lucy Addison High School, Young women dancing
Lucy Addison High School, group of students
Lucy Addison High School, Student leaving school
Lucy Addison High School, Group of students
Lucy Addison High School, Graduation Photograph "Mary Brandon"
Lucy Addison High School. Majorettes at school.
Lucy Addison High School. Majorettes at Victory Stadium.
Lucy Addison High School. School Band and Majorettes on parade through Gainsboro Neighborhood.
Lucy Addison High School. School Band and Majorettes on parade through Downtown Roanoke.
Lucy Addison High School. Majorettes. on parade near St. Andrews Catholic Church.
Lucy Addison High School. Majorettes. School Band and Botetourt County School Bus.
Lucy Addison High School. Majorettes. Students at a school function in the school’s gymnasium.
Lucy Addison High School. Students at a school pep rally in the school’s gymnasium.
Lucy Addison High School. Group of female students in gym clothes.
Lucy Addison High School. Group portrait of female students outside.
Lucy Addison High School. Group portrait of students in formal attire.
Lucy Addison High School. Group portrait of male students in formal attire.
Young couple in formal attire. “Byron Morris and Carolyn C. Patterson.”
Lucy Addison High School. School Choir.
Lucy Addison High School. Music teachers playing piano. “Finny and Powell.”
Lucy Addison High School. Cheerleaders.
Lucy Addison High School. Dancer. “Joann Smith.”
Lucy Addison High School. Students dancing. “Carolyn Law and Louis Claytor.”
Lucy Addison High School. Dancers. “Olivia Skipper and Carolyn Carpenter.”
Lucy Addison High School. Group portrait of female students in formal attire.
Lucy Addison High School. Students in Home Economics Class.
Gainboro Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries
Lucy Addison High School. Students gathered around a food cart.
Lucy Addison High School. Students in Shop Class.
Lucy Addison High School. “Track meet, Lynchburg, VA.”
Lucy Addison High School. Basketball game.
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853. 2073 for permission to use.
Lucy Addison High School. Cheerleaders. "Addison Middle School."
Lucy Addison High School. Football team.
Lucy Addison High School. Two football players and a young woman.
Lucy Addison High School. Students attending a school function in the school's gymnasium.
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.873.2073 for permission to use.
Lucy Addison High School. Football player.
Lucy Addison High School. Girls' basketball.
Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries.
Lucy Addison High School. Girls' basketball. 1956.
Lucy Addison High School. Football game at Victory Stadium.
Lucy Addison High School. Two young women posing with a child.
Lucy Addison High School. Portrait of a group of young women.
Lucy Addison High School. Burrell Memorial Hospital School of Practical Nursing student.
Lucy Addison High School. Staff. "Homecoming. Sorrell."
Gainsboro Branch of Roanoke Public Libraries,
Lucy Addison High School. Burrell Memorial Hospital School of Practical Nursing graduate.
Lucy Addison High School. Art class projects.
Marguerite Belafonte, wife of Harry Belafonte, signing autographs. April 7, 1959.
Lucy Addison High School. Three young women.
Lillian Paxton (wife of Dr. Paxton?) February 1954.
Two unidentified women and an unidentified man drinking tea.
A woman and a man with a stack of books.
Two men and two women in formal attire sitting at a table.
Group of young adults celebrating. "Claytor, Olivia Skipper (second from right.)"
Group portrait, men wearing boutonnieres and women wearing corsages.
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.2703 for permission to use.
Two men and a woman in conversation in a library.
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853.273 for permission to use.
Group portrait, in front of the Gainsboro Library.
Group portrait, in front of the Robert C. Ogden Auditorium at Hampton University
Please contact the Virginia Room at 540.853,2073 for permission to use.
Group photograph of five women wearing corsages.
Two young women drinking Coca-Cola at Lucy Addison High School. "Angel Law."
Young woman posing in front of Lucy Addison High School.
Young woman posing at Lucy Addison High School. August 1956.
Young woman posing at Lucy Addison High School. "Diana." October 25, 1956.
Young woman posing at Lucy Addison High School. "Janet." 1956.
Young woman posing at Lucy Addison High School. 1957.
Young woman posing on a stage. February 6, 1957.
Lucy Addison High School, Group of young women posing outside of the school with a car.
Portrait of a Young Woman Outside Building. February of 1956.
Grandin Court Student Cowboy group photo
Portrait of Grandin Court Teacher / Staff
Shenandoah Life Insurance Company, formerly located at 2301 Brambleton Avenue.
Looking south on Jefferson Street from Franklin Road. Visible are John Norman Clothing, the Park Theatre, State Office Supplies and Gifts, the Coulter Building, People's Drugstore and the Patrick Henry Hotel.
Looking west on Campbell Avenue from 1st Street. Visible are Leggett's, George T. Hitch Jewelers, Singer Sewing Machines, Beckner's and Easter's.
A view of the pond in Elmwood Park. The Terry House is visible on the hill.
The pond in Elmwood Park. The Greyhound Bus Station is visible in the background.
Looking north on Jefferson Street. Visible are State Office Supply and Gifts, Hammond's Printing & Litho Works, Johnnie's Steakhouse, Jefferson Theatre, Heironimus, Sidney's and Thornton & Creasy Drugs.
Looking north on Jefferson Street from Franklin Road. Visible are State Office Supply and Gifts, Hammond's Printing & Litho Works, Johnnie's Steakhouse, Jefferson Theatre, Heironimus, Sidney's and Thornton & Creasy Drugs.
The Norfolk & Western Pocahontas passenger train, possibly on its last excursion. The passenger train ran from November 1926 through May 1971.
Passengers aboard the Norfolk & Western Pocahontas, possibly on its last excursion. The passenger train ran from November 1926 through May 1971.
Norfolk & Western GP9 #516 locomotive pulling the Pocahontas near the N&W shops.
Overlook once on Mill Mountain in front of Rockeldge Inn seen at dusk.
A view of the Jefferson Theatre and Heironimus on Jefferson Street.
Norfolk & Western employees stand in the doorway of the Pochontas, possibly on its last excursion. The passenger train ran from November 1926 through May 1971.
Looking north on Jefferson Street at the Franklin Road intersection. Visible at left is the Elks Lodge and the Elmwood Diner. Also visible is Hammond Printing and Litho Works.
Looking north on Jefferson Street at the Church Avenue intersection. Visible are The Sportsman Restaurant, Bernard's Menswear, Thomas McAn Shoes, Kann's Apparel, Hoffheimer's Shoes, Holiday's Shoe Store and the American Theatre.
Looking south on Jefferson Street. Visible are Holiday's Shoe Store, Hoffheimer's Shoes, Kann's Apparel, Thomas McAn Shoes, The Sportsman Restaurant and Heironimus.
Looking west on Church Avenue from Jefferson Street. Visible are the Sportsman Restaurant, Parker Photo Studio, Junior Achievement of the Roanoke Valley, Kaybee Store and Moskin's Store.
Looking west on Franklin Road from Jefferson Street. Visible are the Knights of Pythias building, Star Barber Shop, Roanoke Valley Heart Association, GAC Finance, Riley's Cafe, Thornton & Creasy Drugs, and Holdren's
Looking north on Jefferson Street. Visible are Heironimus, The Sportsman Restaurant, Thomas McAn Shoes, Kann's Apparel, Hoffheimer's Shoes, Holiday's Shoe Store and the American Theatre.
Bus depot, formerly located at 16 West Church Avenue.
Window display for Revlon's Ultraviolet line of cosmetics at Heironimus.
The display depicted in this photograph was designed by Francis Marion Wilkinson, nicknamed "Chick", who was employed as a display manager for Heironimus in the 1930s and 1940s.
Window display at Heironimus promoting war bonds, featuring Poland after it was invaded by the Nazis in World War II.
Window display at Heironimus chronicling the history of Norfolk & Western Railway during Roanoke's Golden Jubilee 50th Anniversary.
Window display at Heironimus for Hara-Kiri robes. Sign reads, "Newest, most popular in Hon. Japanese fashion apparel...authentic ceremonial Hara-robe."
Christmas window display at Heironimus utilizing the editorial written by Virginia O'Hanlon to the New York Sun on 21 September 1897 asking 'Is there a Santa Claus?'. The editorial prompted the reply of one of the paper's editors, Frances Church, to respond, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus". The editorial would become part of popular Christmas folklore.
Window display at Heironimus advertising Revlon's Ultaviolet line of cosmetics.
Heironimus Christmas parade float encouraging children to "Go on the air with Santa" on WSLS.
Christmas window display for children's art supplies at Heironimus.
Window display at Heironimus for Calexico Colorama clothing collection at Heironimus. Sign reads, " Calexico Colorama our color-drenched collection of California fashion by Air - Assembled in our newly decorated pation shop, 2nd floor".
Floor displays at Heironimus for the Calexico Colorama clothing line.
Window display at Heironimus promoting war bonds, featuring Luxembourg.
A view inside the children's department at Heironimus.
Window display at Heironimus promoting products made from California redwoods.
The display depicted in this photograph was designed by Francis Marion Wilkinson, nicknamed "Chick", who was employed as a display manager for Heironimus in the 1930s and 1940s
Window display at Heironimus promoting war bonds, featuring Czechoslovakia.
Window display at Heironimus dedicated to the history of Virginia College.
Floor displays at Heironimus for McGregor Menswear
View of the fabric department of Heironimus.
View of the housewares department of Heironimus decorated with a fairy tale motif.
Exterior of Heironimus decorated for Christmas.
Throngs of Christmas shoppers at Heironimus.
A crowd gathers in front of Heironimus on Campbell Avenue to watch the Roanoke Christmas parade.
The children's department at Heironimus decorated for Christmas.
Slavery as America’s Peculiar Institution: An Economic, Social Psychology and Value Relative Analysis
This presentation was given as part of the Kegley Lecture Series at the Historical Society of Western Virginia by Dr. Reginald Shareef.
All rights reserved by the Historical Society of Western Virginia.
Smithy & Boynton, Architects & Engineers Scrapbook
The collection consists of one scrapbook that documents the activities of the firm, its leaders, and its employees from 1980 through 1992. It includes ephemera and newspaper articles related to projects the firm was involved in designing or engineering. A digital version of the scrapbook was created and should be primarily consulted by researchers.
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part I: 1763 Thomas Wright of Bedford County, Virginia, His Wife Mary (___) Wright, and Their Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia is a multipart project. Each part will discuss a separate Wright family, beginning with the oldest known ancestor of that line.
No known restrictions. Virginia Room copy fees apply.
Other Wright Family histories by Robert N. Grant are available in print in the Virginia Room.
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part II: John Wright of Goochland County, Virginia, His Wife Judith (Easly) Wright, and Their Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XII: Harrison Wright of Rockbridge County, Virginia, His Wife Permelia (Watts) Wright, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XIII: Lewis Wright of Lynchburg, Virginia, His Wife Elizabeth (Hill) Wright, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XIV: 1877 Joseph Wright of Bedford County, Virginia, His Wife Ann (Hill) Wright, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XIX: Grief Wright of Bedford County, Virginia, His Possible Wife Sally (Candler) Wright, His Wives Nancy (___) Wright, and Leanna (Hanes) Wright, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XV: Augustine Wright of Amherst County, Virginia, His Wife Alice or Alcey (Ball) (Wright) Edmunds, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XVI: 1814 Parmenos Wright of Nelson County, Virginia, His Wife Elizabeth (___) Wright, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XVIII: Jesse Wright of Amherst County, Virginia, His Wives Susannah (Harper) Wright and Rachel (Welch) Wright, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XVII: Achilles Wright of Oldham County, Kentucky, His Wife Nancy (__) Wright, and His Descendants
Sorting Some of the Wrights of Southern Virginia Part XXIII: Edward Wright of York County, His Wife Joan (Evans) Wright, and His Descendants
Souvenir: A Brief Reflection of Points of Interest About Roanoke, Vicinity and Valley of Virginia
Issued as a promotional souvenir for the German Baptist Association Annual Conference.
The Virginia Bridge and Iron Works began in 1888 as the American Bridge Works, changing its name in 1893. Other branch plants were located in Memphis, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia. The Roanoke Branch was involved in hundreds of bridge projects throughout the state and some commercial buildings. After World War II, the plant was purchased by the American Steel Company. The plant closed in the early 1960s.
The Jefferson Apartments were built in 1912 on South Jefferson Street. The apartments existed for several decades before being razed in the late 1990s. The site of the apartment building was occupied by a house that was moved across Mountain Avenue to create the lot for the apartment building to be erected.
The Roanoke Times was the first daily paper in Roanoke, having been started by M.A. Claytor in 1886. In 1909, the Times was purchased by J. B. Fishburn, Edward L. Stone, and W.S. Battle and became the Roanoke Times, Incorporated. The Times building, shown here, was built in 1914.
The Calvary Baptist Church on Campbell Avenue had as its early sanctuary this beautiful building which was located directly across the street from the present-day facility. Needing more space for the growing congregation and with the completion of the new sanctuary, this sanctuary (built in 1894) was razed in 1931.
This interior view of the Martha Washington Candies store shows what the company considered its “Southern Factory.” Martha Washington Candies Roanoke franchise was started by W.G. Baldwin at 310 S. Jefferson Street in 1914. Mr. Baldwin was of the famed Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency.
Construction of Shenandoah Hospital commenced in 1912, opening the next year. The hospital was located on West Campbell Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets. Dr. J.H. Dunkley was president and assisted by Dr. Ira Huff, Dr. W.S. Slicer, Dr. J.T. Hughes, and Dr. L.G. Richards. The hospital also had an 11-room house for nurses and doctors.
The top image is of the Central YMCA and the bottom image is of the Railroad Department YMCA. The Railroad YMCA opened on November 10, 1903. The Young Men’s Christian Association began in Roanoke in 1883.
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.
The postcard image shows what the vista would have looked like over a century ago atop the famous Mill Mountain Incline. In the bottom foreground is the back side of the old Roanoke Hospital, and in the top distant background one can see the former Roanoke Fairgrounds.
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.
unknown
This card shows how Jefferson Street had changed over the years. This view looks north down Jefferson Street from Mountain Avenue, showing a variety of commercial buildings, apartments and hotels.
The Masonic Temple was located on the northwest corner of 1st and Kirk Street. In 1915, the street level was occupied by Reams, Jones and Blankenship furniture store. The store’s slogan was “Marry the girl – we’ll furnish the home.”
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 address was 811 E. Main Street in Salem.
J.H. Marsteller created ornate marble monuments and headstones. This card was produced for Marsteller in 1907, showing on the left the exhibit of Marsteller at the 1907 Jamestown Exhibition’s Timber and Mineral Building. The image on the right shows Marsteller’s place of business in Roanoke on 21 Campbell Avenue SE, which was built in 1897 as the left half of the building with the right half and additional third floor being added in 1905. It was sold to Nelson Hardware in 1916. In the 1960’s it was the Gulf Mills Discount Department Store. It has since been razed for the Market Square parking garage and Orvis store.
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.
Belmont Baptist Church was organized on October 17, 1901. They dedicated their second sanctuary in Southeast Roanoke in 1904. Belmont Baptist continues to worship in the sanctuary depicted on this card.
Elva wrote to Albert Reinhold on the back of this card the following: “Received your postal from Washington, thank you so very much. Tell your dear mother that I will write to her tomorrow. This is a perfectly grand day to take a walk. Wish you were here to go with me.” The falls and mill dam were located where the current Carvins Cove reservoir dam is located today.
A member used this card to celebrate her new church sanctuary: “Our new church cost $15,000, pipe organ $2,650, pews $1,100. Expect to dedicate third Sunday in April.” Unfortunately, the church was badly damaged by a fire in 1917, but recovered.
The history of Hollins University actually begins in New York with Joshua Bradley, a Baptist minister. Bradley purchased the property of the defunct Roanoke Female Seminary in 1842 for the purpose of forming an education union to “conduct an institution for all denominations.” This card shows how Hollins looked a century after Bradley’s purchase.
The Belmont section of Roanoke, long-served by the Christian Church there, began as a 40-home development around 1889. The Belmont School opened in 1893 and soon followed street car service (1905), the city’s first automobile fire steamer (1911), and jitney buses (1921).
This card’s description reads, “One of the bedrooms of the Roanoke Sanitarium, Inc. – Institution for the treatment of Nervous and Mental Diseases, Drug and Alcohol Addictions.”
The St. Charles Hospital was located at 533 Mountain Avenue. It opened in March of 1913 under the direction of Dr. J.C. Burke. The hospital closed in 1934, and the building was converted into apartments.
The “new” bridge shown here was built in 1908, replacing an older one. The bridge was part of an extensive landscape plan developed for the campus at the time that consisted of gardens, boardwalks, bridges and recreational areas.
Early in Hollins’ history, social life for the students was very structured and limited. For example, in 1925 students could receive “gentlemen callers” only on weekend nights and Sunday afternoons. Dates off campus required a chaperone and parental permission, although seniors could accompany first year students on the buses to Roanoke.
The sulphur spring on the Hollins campus was discovered in the early 1800s in the bed of Carvins Creek. The message on this card boasted, “Its water has wonderful curative powers, and many prominent men, among them President Andrew Jackson and General Lafayette, have enjoyed it.”
When this postcard was sent, Hollins students were on a reinvigorated academic schedule that covered six days. Students could no longer attend for two years and get an “Academic Certificate.” They now must complete all four years. These academic changes were the results of the school’s visionary president, Matty Cocke, who served from 1901 until 1933. “Hollins with its comfortable special courses is no more; we have become a more exact college,” noted a student reporter in 1909.
The Main Building is one of the oldest structures on the campus. The building was erected in between 1861 and 1863. The day the building was started was the same day Virginia seceded from the Union. With the onslaught of the Civil War, construction was often delayed, and the builder, David Deyerle, was not fully paid until 1882 due to the economic collapse of the South. Total cost for Main was $20,000.
The 1920s saw the emergence of student leadership in the affairs of the college. In 1920 a student forum was organized for the purpose of providing input on a variety of issues. One reoccurring issue was dress. Could students wear short skirts, rolled hose, and French heels in lab classes? Students judicial and executive councils merged into a legislative committee in 1928.
The West Building was totally rebuilt in 1890. The left wing contained the infirmary, doctor’s office and faculty living quarters, and the right wing contained two large halls for Hollins’ two early literary societies. The portico, completed in 1900, was done to echo that of the Main Building.
The Little Theater was created largely through the spirited giving of Hollins students who, in the 1920s, raised $45,000 toward the total cost of $65,000 for the structure. The theater was built in 1924, replacing an old auditorium that was in the basement of the school’s library. The theater contained 540 orchestra and 240 balcony seats.
Construction on East Building began in 1856 and was completed two years later. The East Building, complimenting Main and West, completed the quadrangle courtyard. According to early Hollins historians, East was designed to imitate in appearance the resort hotels popular during that era at many of Virginia’s sulphur springs.
Presser Hall was erected in 1925, a gift of Theodore Presser, music publisher. Presser was a music professor at Hollins from 1880 until 1883. Unfortunately, Presser died before the building was completed. At the time of its dedication, the structure’s final cost was $56,000.
The Bradley Chapel was built in 1883 but not named until the 1930s for Joshua Bradley. The chapel served as the center for campus religious activities. During the early years, Hollins students were expected to attend chapel services daily after supper.
The infirmary, constructed in 1910, was named for Susanna Cocke. Utilizing Georgian and Federal architecture, the infirmary was actually the first building included in part of new quadrangle on the southeast section of the campus.
The Virginia Building of Catawba Sanatorium was constructed in 1913, four years after the Catawba Sanatorium opened. The original property for the sanatorium had been the Red Sulphur Springs.
When Catawba Sanatorium opened in 1909, it consisted of 42 beds located primarily in the old hotel that served the sulphur springs resort area. The sanatorium would expand in both buildings and number of patients significantly over the next few decades.
By 1937, Catawba Sanatorium was serving some 340 patients and the grounds totaled over 1100 acres, almost double the acreage contained in the original purchase. The many pavilions, such as the one above, were named for Virginia governors.
Catawba Sanatorium became in many ways a self-sustaining community. For many years, the sanatorium operated its own dairy farm. The number of patients and employees were such that the area soon had its own post office, school, chapel, and other amenities.
Catawba Sanatorium developed its own nursing school to train healthcare professionals in the treatment of tuberculosis. Between 1912 and 1954, Catawba School of Nursing graduated 258 Certified Tuberculosis Nurses.
This view of the women’s quarters shows the west end of the lean-to with lounging room in the center. Catawba ceased accepting tuberculosis patients on January 1, 1972. When it did, records indicated that some 25,000 tuberculosis patients had received treatment at Catawba Sanatorium during its 63 years of operation. Since 1972, Catawba Hospital has served patients with mental illness.
Enon Baptist Church is one of the oldest Baptist churches in the Roanoke Valley. Built in 1855 across from the entrance of present-day Hollins University, the church was established by Charles Cocke, president of Hollins Institute.
One of the most prominent geographical features in the Roanoke Valley is Twelve O’Clock Knob with an altitude of 2,707 feet. According to local tradition, the mountain received its name prior to the Civil War when slaves, working west of Salem, determined it to be noon and time for lunch when the sun was just at a point directly over the mountain.
Exactly what road this might be cannot be determined. Historic records, however, show that interest in building a road from Salem across Twelve O’Clock Knob to Back Creek and then up Bent Mountain dated back to 1840.
The official arrival of the Norfolk and Western Railroad (later Railway) into the Roanoke Valley occurred on June 18, 1882, when an N&W locomotive steamed into the newly-named Town of Roanoke. With the coming of the railroad, the population and commercial activity of the Roanoke Valley began to boom.
This camp was originally constructed in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1941, it became an Army mechanical training camp. From 1943 until 1946, the camp housed 150 German POWs who worked in nearby orchards. Today, the camp is owned and operated by the Roanoke Valley Baptist Association as a retreat center.
Vinton Roller Mills, along Glade Creek, grew out of mills originally built by David Gish that pre-dated the Civil War. By the Twentieth Century, the remaining mill was owned and operated by James Bowie and produced three kinds of flour. By 1924, the operation was known as Vinton Milling Company.
Vinton Baptist Church began in 1892. The building shown in this postcard rendering is one constructed in 1924, replacing the original sanctuary of 1894.
The Vinton War Memorial is a tribute to the 29 men of Vinton who gave their lives in military service during World War II and Vietnam. The building, seen here, was dedicated in 1948 as a community center and remains such today.
This fine residence belonged to prominent businessman, J.C. Cook originally of Bonsack. Cook later moved to the Vinton area and owned the land on which the Vinton War Memorial was built.
This Methodist Church was an early sanctuary of the present-day Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church. The present sanctuary was built in 1963. The church was named for Paul and Sallie Thrasher, pioneer Methodists in the Roanoke Valley. The church traces its origins back to 1815.
The name “Hanging Rock” was given due to the rock formation’s appearance as projecting from the mountainside. In the area of Hanging Rock occurred one of only two Civil War engagements within the bounds of Roanoke County.
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.
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 used with any significance by destination travelers.
Camp Powhatan was located in the Natural Bridge National Forest Reserve. Scouting, having reached the States in 1910, has a long history in Roanoke County. The Blue Ridge Mountains Council, No. 599, is headquartered in Roanoke County, having merged in 1972 with the Piedmont Council.
This card reads, “From the crest of McAfee’s Knob, near Salem, at an altitude of 4,000 feet, and commanding a view of entrancing beauty. ‘Point of Rocks’ projects over the Valley far below. With nearly 2,000 feet of space beneath him, the visitor finds he does not have to travel thousands of miles to Yosemite Valley to grow dizzy on stupendous heights or to view men and horses dwarfed to pygmies in the depths below.” McAfee is one of the most photographed spots along the Appalachian Trail.
Lakeside was opened in 1920 by Robert Lynn, Sr., and featured a public swimming pool, roller coaster and one additional ride. The original 50-acre tract on which Lakeside was built was an orchard owned by John Bower.
In 1936, Lakeside was purchased by H.L. Roberts, and his family owned and operated Lakeside for the next fifty years. When the amusement park opened it was described as “the largest pool anyone had ever seen,” complimented by a beach of imported sand and a boardwalk.
Lakeside survived the Depression by offering low admission prices and cheap entertainment. During World War II, the USO provided servicemen complimentary tickets. There was even a movement in 1958 by nearby residents to constitute themselves as the town of Lakeside!
Like most public venues in the South, Lakeside was not integrated until 1964. At about this same time, park owners closed the pool, filled it over, and the park expanded.
This card shows how much the park had developed under the ownership of the Roberts family. This card advertises, “South’s Finest Swimming Pool, Joy Rides for Children and Adults, Beautiful Picnic Grounds.”
Lakeside was for many decades the most popular draw for Valley residents and tourists in the region. Offering rides, amusements, recreation, and concerts, Lakeside was complimented by Dixie Caverns, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and being at the intersection of present-day Routes 419 and 460.
Aunt Katherine wrote her nephew in Salisbury, Maryland, using this card, the following: “How would you like to go in bathing here? Uncle Frank and the boys are in now. It is fresh water. They have slides and swings and acting bars and every kind of exercise in the pool.”
Lakeside survived for over six decades, but the competition brought on by other more major theme parks took its toll. By 1983, the park was in financial trouble. Bought by Charles Fox in 1984, the park was struck by the Flood of 1985. The flood seemed to seal the fate of the park. Lakeside’s final day of operation was October 19, 1986. Today, the grounds of Lakeside are occupied by a shopping center.
This century-old view of Salem showed the development of the town since its inception in 1802 by James Simpson when he created 40 lots on 16 acres. The lots fronted one main road which Simpson named “Roanoke Street.” The lots were two sizes, rectangular (66 x 266 feet) and square (132 feet). Cross streets were originally named Limestone Street (later called Union Street), Water Street (later Broad Street), and Market Street.
This early street scene illustrates the stately residential developments that marked Salem’s development at the turn of the last century.
Water Street, later South Broad Street, was one of the earliest streets laid out in the 1802 plot of Salem. Water Street became the dominant center for Salem’s African-American community.
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.
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.
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!