Gainsboro in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad Depot

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 3, 2019

1. Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad Depot Marker

Inscription. Across the street from this spot stood the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad Depot. The boundaries of the town of Big Lick were set out in the 1874 charter as, “commencing at this point and extending therefrom one-half mile north, east, south and west.”

Erected 1962 by Norfolk and Western Railway.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 37° 16.432′ N, 79° 56.587′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Gainsboro. Marker is on Centre Avenue Northwest west of Henry Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Roanoke VA 24016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oscar Micheaux (about 400 feet away); Commerce or Second Street Crossing (about 400 feet away); Warehouse Row (about 500 feet away); Today's Locomotives (about 500 feet away); Henry Street Business District (about 500 feet away); Virginia Museum of Transportation / Norfolk and Western Freight Station (about 500 feet away); Jupiter Missile (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.

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1. Great American Stations: Roanoke, VA (RNK). The Big Lick depot, which was located near the present-day intersection of Gainsboro Rd. and the railroad tracks in downtown, attracted some commercial activity, but at the time of the Civil War, the settlement only boasted about a dozen commercial and residential buildings and a tobacco factory. During the war, Union forces attacked the railroad numerous times to disrupt supply lines. In April 1865, they burned the Big Lick depot and destroyed the tracks. (Submitted on May 22, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad (Wikipedia). Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad (AM&O) was formed in 1870 in Virginia from 3 east-west railroads which traversed across the southern portion of the state. The AM&O went into receivership after the U.S. Financial Panic of 1873. In 1881, the AM&O was sold at auction. A link was established between Lynchburg and Salem on the old AM&O at the tiny community of Big Lick on the Roanoke River, which soon became the city of Roanoke and a major office and shops location. (Submitted on May 22, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Roanoke, Virginia (Wikipedia). The AM&O was renamed Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W). As the N&W brought people and jobs, the Town

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 3, 2019

2. Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad Depot Marker

of Roanoke quickly became an independent city in 1884. In fact, Roanoke became a city so quickly that it earned the nickname "Magic City". (Submitted on May 22, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Former Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad Depot site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 3, 2019

3. Former Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad Depot site

(view across Centre Avenue Northwest from marker)
Historic Hotel Dumas on hill in background

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 268 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on May 22, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.