Historical Markers in
Roanoke County, Virginia

100th Anniversary of Hanging Rock 1936 F-20 McCormick Deering Farmall Tractor 1952 Squad Wagon A Colonial Ford A Once-Vibrant African American Community American Viscose Corp. Amoco Oil ARA III Tank Car AMOX #9465 Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad Depot Audie Murphy Monument Battle of Hanging Rock Big Lick Presbyterian Church Boxley Building Burrell Memorial Hospital Buzzard Rock Native American Settlement Catawba Sanatorium Celanese Porter Fireless #1 Chesapeake Western ALCO T-6 Diesel-Electric #10 Chesapeake Western DS-4-4-660 #662 Childhood Home of Oliver White Hill, Sr. Civil Rights Trailblazers Colonial Mansion Site Colonial National Bank Building Commerce or Second Street Crossing Depressed Center Flatcar APWX #1002 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge Dr. William Fleming Endangered Species: The Roanoke Logperch Evolution of a Neighborhood Name Fire Station No. 1 First National Bank First Train to Big Lick Fishburne Park Flagpole Fort Lewis Frederick J. Kimball Memorial Fountain From Frontier to Urban Community... A Gainsboro Prelude George Morgan Jones Graham-White Manufacturing Company Greene Memorial Church Hanging Rock Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail Health Care and Medicine Henry Street Business District History of Evan Mill and Crystal Spring Hollins College Hotel Roanoke Hotel Roanoke Hotel Roanoke Hunton Life Saving And First Aid Crew James Alexander Tract Boundary Jupiter Missile Lee Highway Locomotive Parking Brakes McCausland Attacks McNeil Drive Mead Corporation Industrial Locomotive #200 Milestones in Education Mining Train Mount Moriah Baptist Church Norfolk & Western ALCO C630 Diesel-Electric #1135 Norfolk & Western ALCO RS-3 Diesel Electric #300 Norfolk & Western Class A #1218 Norfolk & Western Class CF Caboose #518302 Norfolk & Western Class G1 #6 Norfolk & Western EMD GP9 #521 Norfolk & Western EMD SD45 #1776 Norfolk & Western Freight Station Norfolk & Western General Office Building Norfolk & Western Railway Post Office Car Class M-1 #93 Norfolk & Western Safety Instruction Car #418 Norfolk and Western Passenger Station Norfolk Southern Research Car #31 North Jefferson Street Old Lutheran Church Oliver White Hill Sr. Oscar Micheaux Panama Canal Mule No. 686 Pennsylvania Railroad GE GG1 Electric #4919 Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Boxcar #2305 Roanoke Roanoke Roanoke City Market Roanoke County / Botetourt County Roanoke Life Saving and First Aid Crew Roanoke Milestones Roanoke Railway and Electric Company Roanoke Shops Roanoke Valley War Memorial Social and Cultural Life St. John's Episcopal Church The Battle of Hanging Rock The David R. and Susan S. Goode Railwalk The Great Roanoke Fair & Mountain Park The Hanging Rock Coal Trestle The Influence of Churches in Gainsboro The Market Square Walkway The Norwich Neighborhood The Patrick Henry The Roanoke Star The Virginian Railway Roanoke Passenger Station The Wigmore Building Today's Locomotives Today's Rail Traffic Torteras Village Indian Trail Trailer Train Flatcar #470534 and Sea-Land Containers Two Future Presidents In Wartime Retreat United Daughters of the Confederacy Monuments Virginia Central Porter Rod Driven Locomotive #3 Virginia Museum of Transportation / Norfolk and Western Freight Station Virginia Western Community College Memorial Virginian Class SA #4 Virginian GE EL-C Electric Locomotive #135 Virginian Railway Caboose #321 Virginian Railway Class C-10 Caboose #321 Virginian Railway Station Wabash E8A Diesel-Electric #1009 Warehouse Row Whitcomb 30DM31 Diesel Switcher
The first slave ship to arrive in the American colonies landed in Virginia in 1619. Virginia became a center of the transatlantic slave trade, and by 1860, Virginia had the largest population of enslaved people in the United States.
Virginia random facts
Roanoke County, Virginia has a rich history that dates back to the time of Native American settlements. The region was initially inhabited by the Roanoke tribe, who called themselves the Wiyot. In the 16th century, European explorers, including the infamous Sir Walter Raleigh, began to set foot in the area. It was during one of Raleigh's expeditions that he established the first English colony on Roanoke Island, just off the coast of what is now North Carolina. However, this colony famously vanished, giving rise to the legend of the "Lost Colony."

In the 18th century, as European settlers expanded westward, the area that is now Roanoke County became an important crossroads for trade. The Great Wagon Road, stretching from Philadelphia to the southern colonies, passed through the county, bringing economic opportunities and a diverse population. The region's abundant natural resources, including timber and waterways, attracted industries such as milling and ironworks, further contributing to its growth.

The 19th century brought significant changes to Roanoke County. The arrival of the railroad in the 1850s was a game-changer, transforming the county into a major transportation hub. With easy access to markets, industries such as textiles and tobacco flourished. The county's population continued to grow, and in 1838, the town of Salem was incorporated within its borders.

In the 20th century, Roanoke County experienced further development and urbanization. The city of Roanoke, which became independent from the county in 1884, saw the rise of industries like railroad construction and manufacturing. The area became known for its railroad yards and textile mills. Today, Roanoke County is home to a diverse economy, encompassing sectors such as healthcare, technology, and education. It offers a blend of natural beauty, historical sites, and modern amenities, attracting visitors and residents alike.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Roanoke County, Virginia.

  • 1838: Roanoke County is established in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
  • 1872: The town of Salem is incorporated within Roanoke County.
  • 1881: The Shenandoah Valley Railroad is extended to Roanoke, sparking economic growth in the county.
  • 1884: Roanoke County's first public school, Cave Spring Academy, is established.
  • 1942: The United States Army Air Corps opens the Roanoke Army Air Base in the county.
  • 1950s: Roanoke County experiences suburbanization and population growth.
  • 1968: The town of Vinton is incorporated within Roanoke County.
  • 1984: Roanoke County Economic Development Authority is formed to promote business growth.
  • 2001: The town of Vinton becomes an independent city, separating from Roanoke County.
  • 2004: Roanoke County celebrates its 175th anniversary.