Page 31 - A Narrative of the History of Roanoke Virginia

New information about the history of Roanoke
Big Lick to Roanoke from 1874-Part Seven B

Hotel Roanoke

By Richard Mundy Sources:refer to New Research Sources-previously posted

THE EPITOME OF THE NEW SOUTH

A sidebar: In certain spaces in the previous installment (Seven A), this one (Seven
B), and the subsequent one (Eight) I have made various statements that are strictly
my opinions, ideas, observations and comments which are solely my own and not
necessarily supported by anything but my own personal insights.

While I do take comfort in the fact that my eyesight tends to be 20-20 in hindsight,
I do yield to the suggestion that I am merely stating which to many would be the
obvious with relation to the outcome of certain comments. So be it. (There are
others that might dispute that).

Having previously established the importance of Railroads (particularly the N&W)
and Roanoke, this installment will chronicle the ideas, implementation and
overview of one of the finest hotels to be created as part of the New South.
A variety of early and more recent photographs accompanying this post, showing
the chronology and evolution of the Hotel from the initial iteration to the present.

Among the various factors which Kimball, Clark and the N&W believed to
contribute to the advertisement of a city and its key industries, and the favor with
which it is regarded by the public generally, the advantages possessed in the
character of its hotel facilities is to them of highest importance. They viewed the
hotel as a physical representation of the quality and character of the company and
the city. In this respect, the city of Roanoke can claim the distinction of having, in
the Hotel Roanoke, an institution which ranks among the best in the land, and
which has been identified with the progress of the city throughout its entire history.

After Kimball combined two of his railroads into the Norfolk and Western Railroad,
he built his vision of a comprehensive community with the Hotel Roanoke as its
grand centerpiece. Travelers coming to the city or breaking a tiring rail journey
made the Hotel Roanoke their haven. The building of the Hotel, named The
Roanoke, was to be a fulfillment of the N&W’s view of its quality, character and
importance in the grand scheme of things.

A small knoll, actually a wheat field, just north of the tracks and main city area as
well as near the newly constructed N&W general offices, was chosen as the
building site for the construction of the Hotel.