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History

Strange Days of Roanoke: The Women of Hill Crest Hall

In the 1920s and ’30s, a female dormitory at Viscose was the center of life for hundreds of workers.

Then and Now: Colonial American National Bank

Once part of a prominent Roanoke Valley banking legacy dating back to 1910, the Vinton building continues its financial roots today as a Truist Bank location.

Strange Days of Roanoke: Catawba and the White Death

For six decades, the Catawba Sanatorium treated patients ravaged by tuberculosis.

Then and Now: Lucy Addison High School

Roanoke’s first Black high school, Lucy Addison High, is now being reinvented as a Community Empowerment Center.

Strange Days of Roanoke: Roanoke’s Miracle Worker

Dr. E. G. Gill was a tireless humanitarian who put Roanoke at the epicenter of sight preservation.

Mount Regis Sanitorium

Mount Regis, once a tuberculosis sanitorium starting in 1914, became an addiction treatment center before the original building was destroyed by fire in 2016.

Strange Days of Roanoke: The Liberty Bell in Roanoke

In 1895, America’s sacred relic went on a national tour to reconcile the nation.

Be Our Valentine!

In February 1962, Roanoke’s quirky, 600-pound valentine made global headlines when it was delivered to astronaut John Glenn’s front yard, signed by over 3,000 locals.

Rooted in Roanoke

Don Pullen, a Roanoke native, rose to jazz legend status with his innovative style and lasting impact on the genre.

Roanoke’s First Auditorium

Once a bustling hub for music, speeches and gatherings—including a visit from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt—Roanoke’s historic auditorium lives on in memories, its former site now a quiet parking lot.

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Hill Crest Hall opened in 1922 and housed up to 250 females who worked at the Viscose plant in Southeast Roanoke.

Strange Days of Roanoke: The Women of Hill Crest Hall

In the 1920s and ’30s, a female dormitory at Viscose was the center of life for hundreds of workers.
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Then and Now: Colonial American National Bank

Once part of a prominent Roanoke Valley banking legacy dating back to 1910, the Vinton building continues its financial roots today as a Truist Bank location.
Patients slept on open verandas, regardless of temperature, due to the perceived benefit of inhaling fresh air.

Strange Days of Roanoke: Catawba and the White Death

For six decades, the Catawba Sanatorium treated patients ravaged by tuberculosis.
e9f7947a-1c6f-11f0-834a-12163087a831-MJ_WebBanners_withoutText12

Then and Now: Lucy Addison High School

Roanoke’s first Black high school, Lucy Addison High, is now being reinvented as a Community Empowerment Center.
The Gill Memorial Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat Hospital, shown here, opened in 1928. Ewald Pharmacy was near the front entrance.

Strange Days of Roanoke: Roanoke’s Miracle Worker

Dr. E. G. Gill was a tireless humanitarian who put Roanoke at the epicenter of sight preservation.
955d4700-f2eb-11ef-9e9b-12163087a831-MA_WebBanners_withoutText18

Mount Regis Sanitorium

Mount Regis, once a tuberculosis sanitorium starting in 1914, became an addiction treatment center before the original building was destroyed by fire in 2016.
George Davis took this photo of the Liberty Bell during its stop in Roanoke. Hotel Roanoke is in the background.

Strange Days of Roanoke: The Liberty Bell in Roanoke

In 1895, America’s sacred relic went on a national tour to reconcile the nation.
Roanoke Mayor Wick Anderson stands at the microphones as he presents Roanoke’s valentine to Annie Glenn (third from left).

Be Our Valentine!

In February 1962, Roanoke’s quirky, 600-pound valentine made global headlines when it was delivered to astronaut John Glenn’s front yard, signed by over 3,000 locals.
4cc29e14-b713-11ef-9749-12163087a831-JF_WebBanners5

Rooted in Roanoke

Don Pullen, a Roanoke native, rose to jazz legend status with his innovative style and lasting impact on the genre.
59dc19d2-b6f9-11ef-8e3a-12163087a831-JF_WebBanners_WithoutText10

Roanoke’s First Auditorium

Once a bustling hub for music, speeches and gatherings—including a visit from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt—Roanoke’s historic auditorium lives on in memories, its former site now a quiet parking lot.
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