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Roanoke, Virginia

Located in Independent City, Virginia, Roanoke was established in 1852. Roanoke was originally called 'Big Lick' for a salt lick that attracted animals. The Roanoke Star on Mill Mountain is the world's largest freestanding man-made star.
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Founded 1852 | Population 100,000 | Peak 100,000 (2024) | County Independent City

Top 10 Most Important Events for Roanoke, Virginia

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1852 Railroad Town: Norfolk & Western Railway hub.
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1882 Big Lick to Roanoke: Renamed from Big Lick when railroad arrives.
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1902 Economic Development: Roanoke grew through textile manufacturing.
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1907 Hotel Roanoke: Tudor-style railroad hotel becomes landmark.
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1987 Roanoke Star: World's largest freestanding man-made star on Mill Mountain.
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Latest News in Roanoke

Jan 1, 1970
Dad And Son Charged With 216 Counts Of Incest, Pay The Price
A father and son in West Virginia has been charged with over 216 counts of incest, sexual assault and sexual abuse that involved t…
Jan 1, 1970
Pennsylvania Mom Speaks Out After Sons Confederate Flag Shit Gets Him Sent
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — In a small Pennsylvania town back in early February 2016, a mother’s frustration boiled over when her te…
Jan 1, 1970
Virginia First State Functionally End Veteran Homelessness
Richmond, Virginia – On January 27, 2016, Virginia made history as the first state in the nation to functionally end veteran hom…
Jan 1, 1970
Former Dem Sen Webb I Wont Vote Hillary Clinton Video
Washington, D.C. – In a surprising turn during the 2016 presidential buildup, former Democratic Senator Jim Webb announced o…

Complete Historical Timeline

1852 Transport
Railroad Town
1882 Culture
Big Lick to Roanoke
1902 Industry
Economic Development
1907 Architecture
Hotel Roanoke
1987 Culture
Roanoke Star

Did You Know?

1
Roanoke was originally called 'Big Lick' for a salt lick that attracted animals.
2
The Roanoke Star on Mill Mountain is the world's largest freestanding man-made star.
3
Roanoke is the largest city on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
4
Roanoke is located in Independent City, Virginia.
5
Roanoke was founded in 1852.

Famous People from Roanoke, Virginia

JM
John C. Mather
Astronomer, Physicist · Born Aug 7, 1946 · Age 79
HL
Henrietta Lacks
Homemaker, Farmworker · Born Aug 1, 1920 · Died Oct 4, 1951 (age 31)
JP
John Payne
Screenwriter, Actor · Born May 23, 1912 · Died Dec 6, 1989 (age 77)
LB
Lynn Bari
Actor, Film Actor · Born Dec 18, 1913 · Died Nov 20, 1989 (age 75)
LJ
Louis A. Johnson
Lawyer, Politician · Born Jan 10, 1891 · Died Apr 24, 1966 (age 75)

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