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Then and Now

Then and Now: Vinton’s Historic Gish Mill

From a 1797 grist mill to future dining and apartments, Vinton’s historic site endures.

Then and Now: A Downtown Original

For almost a century, this Roanoke structure has evolved from warehouse to headquarters while remaining a constant along I-581.

Then and Now: Roanoker Motor Lodge

In the 1950s, the Roanoker Motor Lodge was a popular Williamson Road motel.

Then and Now: Fire Station One

A former downtown firehouse now houses a popular restaurant, as well as a boutique hotel and furniture showroom.

Then and Now: Botetourt Hall

The former Hollins University dining hall has transformed into a multi-use space for student activities.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lutheran Orphanage

The site for Andrew Lewis Middle School was once home to Salem’s historic Lutheran Orphanage, serving children for over a century.

Current Issue

Vinton’s Historic Gish Mill

Then and Now: Vinton’s Historic Gish Mill

From a 1797 grist mill to future dining and apartments, Vinton’s historic site endures.
8a8ec91c-05d1-11f1-a147-1248ae80e59d-MA_WebBanners10

Then and Now: A Downtown Original

For almost a century, this Roanoke structure has evolved from warehouse to headquarters while remaining a constant along I-581.
b3596482-dab7-11f0-b539-1248ae80e59d-JF_WebBanners14

Then and Now: Roanoker Motor Lodge

In the 1950s, the Roanoker Motor Lodge was a popular Williamson Road motel.
6a0605ec-aab5-11f0-9fa1-1248ae80e59d-ND_WebBanners13

Then and Now: Fire Station One

A former downtown firehouse now houses a popular restaurant, as well as a boutique hotel and furniture showroom.
14560cb2-79de-11f0-a214-1248ae80e59d-SO_WebBanners13

Then and Now: Botetourt Hall

The former Hollins University dining hall has transformed into a multi-use space for student activities.
db2b404a-79df-11f0-a5b2-1248ae80e59d-JA_WebBanners14

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.
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.
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.
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.
841e1c84-9239-11ef-a5c1-12163087a831-ND_WebBanners15

Lutheran Orphanage

The site for Andrew Lewis Middle School was once home to Salem’s historic Lutheran Orphanage, serving children for over a century.
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The House on the Hill

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April 28, 2015
The Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival attracts about 20,000 visitors annually — a boon to the local economy.
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Flower farms are finding new ways to keep our community beautiful.

May 1, 2023