Get to Know The Community:

Roanoke was established in 1838 as a town for those traveling out west. It soon became a railroad town, being the headquarters of Norfolk and Western. Roanoke was an important city because it was a staging ground for materials going to and from the frontier. It also is the hub for coal as it travels from Kentucky and West Virginia. The railroad changed the charter of the city to what it is today.

Developed by the Belmont Fallon land company 3/4 of the homes were built between 1890 and 1950 to a well-off middle class working population. It was built to house workers of large factories north of the site.

Roanoke was at the front line of the US exploring the frontier. the railroad became the staging ground for materials going to and from the frontier. The city was founded in 1881 known as the “shops.” In the 1930’s the Norfolk and Western employed more that 6,000 people and was known as the Detroit of the rail industry for its speed in which they were able to build steam engines and rail cars. The J-Class is the most advanced steam engine ever built - equivalent to the Saturn V rocket. From 1927-1953 shop built every steam engine for Norfolk and Western

The American Viscose plant was established in 1917. The growth to the plant due to a product called Rayon, better known as artificial silk. The factory sat on 212 acres of land and by 1928 had more that 5.5 thousand workers, mostly women at 58%, because of the war. The factory produced 35% of all US production 12-13 million pounds of rayon.

All amenities and leisure at the factory - food (including dining hall), shopping, gym, and dorm for single women and a dormitory for girls. Located on 9th Street, the dormitory included a cafeteria, bakery, library, gymnasium, and laundry. The company also built a swimming pool, tennis courts, a skeet range, and a bowling green on the complex. Employees were active in the company's social club with dances, annual picnics, checker tournaments, parade floats and Christmas parties as well as sports teams. When the factories shut down it led to the decay of the community.

During the 80’s, interstate 581 was built, further cutting off the community from downtown Roanoke.

The community was redlined in mid-century after the closing of the two factories.

because of the lack of resources, and jobs redlining the community further negatively impacted the community.