Page 1 - A Narrative of the History of Roanoke Virginia

This is one person’s narrative of the Beginnings
and subsequent History of the City of Roanoke, Virginia
By Richard A. Mundy - 2017

Written from personal memories, handed down (from many) by oral tradition (from
historians, writers and genealogists) and extensive research. My Dad was an amateur
genealogist for basically all his life, as I have been, listening to his stories of family and
buildings, and events. While born in Botetourt County he lived in Roanoke from a young
age, was a prominent businessman and a well-liked gentleman.

Any errors in these articles are unintended and strictly the responsibility of the author.

IN THE BEGINNING…

(well, not that one, but a beginning none the less)

To really go back to the beginning, bare with me as I relate a kind of ‘beginning of time’
for our community. As a writer, I invoke the privilege called 'Poetic License' in the
following 'flight of fancy'.

The year is unknown, but it is pre-historical. Great inland seas covered much of the earth.
There was just such a sea in an area which is now called Virginia. As the sea slowly
receded, the tips of mountains first appeared, then seemed to grow larger, lower slopes
becoming visible, until finally, the valley was dry and exposed to the sky.

Eons later there were age ages, and during the last Glacial Ice Age, much of the North
American continent was covered with ice. As the climate gradually warmed, the melting
of the ice created many lakes and rivers. Except this water was fresh water. These waters
washed away much of the salt left by the inland seas, leaving only trace deposits of the
old sea’s salt here and there. The water carried down rich soil from the mountains and
then it too ebbed away, leaving a fertile land. Grasses, flowers and trees grew in time, and
centuries passed. There were no humans there to note the changes.

Many animals came to those salt marshes, to drink in the abundant fresh water and lick
the salt deposits. The animals ranged from water-rats, which were almost as big as a calf
to giant Mastodons. In between were the others, wolves, caribou, elk, and deer, as well as
saber-toothed tigers, deadly predators, even to the Mastodon.

In the passage of time the growl of the bear, the yelp of the fox, the roar of the wolf and
the heavy tread of the buffalo sounded in the air. These animals made narrow trails to the
great salt lick and to the river and springs nearby. These early trails were short, leading
from den or lair to the lick. Soon the trails lengthened as the animals came from greater
distances to the lick as they moved from summer to winter quarters.

Then human life came to the valley. Native Americans, we familiarly call Indians,
discovered the fertile spot, with its abundant game, the precious supply of salt, and near

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