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

Norfolk and Western Passenger Station

The David R. and Susan S. Goode Railwalk

Photographed by Kevin W., December 28, 2008

1. Norfolk and Western Passenger Station Marker

Inscription.

Norfolk and Western Passenger Station. The David R. and Susan S. Goode Railwalk. Across the tracks and east is N&W’s last passenger station, now home to the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau and O. Winston Link Museum., The little town of Big Lick changed its name to Roanoke in 1881. In the summer of 1882, the N&W completed a Union Station located between the tracks of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad (to the north) and the N&W (to the south) located approximately in front of the Hotel Roanoke. The pressed brick station, two buildings under one roof, was styled to coordinate with the other railroad-owned buildings here., A replacement station, located on the site of the present depot opened June 29, 1905 (see below). This refers to the vintage postcard of the 1905 Union Station, In early 1941 remodeling was planned but war stopped progress. With war ending in 1945, remodeling came back to the surface. Architect Allmon Fordyce of Raymond Lowey and Associates of New York provided plans for a modernistic remodeling. However, with steel and other materials in short supply after World War II, construction did not begin until February 1948. The restyled building opened April 1, 1949., The building became office space with the end of passenger service in 1971. IN 1991, the concourse was removed to allow clearance of double stacked container trains. Today the building has been remodeled beautifully, mimicking some of the original features. The original schedule board has been restored to represent the schedules of June 3, 1956, the date O. Winston Link took his self portrait has a traveler next to the board. At track level, galleries house several hundred of Link’s steam era photos taken on the N&W., Link’s work, mostly at night, is a masterpiece of synchronized flash photos of trains and people, all carefully posed, depicting a vanished American era. The photos Link made on the N&W between 1955 and 1960 are highly acclaimed and known world wide. The Museum is a world class experience and opens daily, excepting some holidays.

Across the tracks and east is N&W’s last passenger station, now home to the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau and O. Winston Link Museum.

The little town of Big Lick changed its name to Roanoke in 1881. In the summer of 1882, the N&W completed a Union Station located between the tracks of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad (to the north) and the N&W (to the south) located approximately in front of the Hotel Roanoke. The pressed brick station, two buildings under one roof, was styled to coordinate with the other railroad-owned buildings here.

A replacement station, located on the site of the present depot opened June 29, 1905 (see below). This refers to the vintage postcard of the 1905 Union Station

In early 1941 remodeling was planned but war stopped progress. With war ending in 1945, remodeling came back to the surface. Architect Allmon Fordyce of Raymond Lowey and Associates of New York provided plans for a modernistic remodeling. However, with steel and other materials in short supply after World War II, construction did not begin until February 1948. The restyled building opened April 1, 1949.

The building became office space with the end of passenger service in 1971. IN 1991, the concourse was removed to allow clearance of double stacked container trains. Today the building

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has been remodeled beautifully, mimicking some of the original features. The original schedule board has been restored to represent the schedules of June 3, 1956, the date O. Winston Link took his self portrait has a traveler next to the board. At track level, galleries house several hundred of Link’s steam era photos taken on the N&W.

Link’s work, mostly at night, is a masterpiece of synchronized flash photos of trains and people, all carefully posed, depicting a vanished American era. The photos Link made on the N&W between 1955 and 1960 are highly acclaimed and known world wide. The Museum is a world class experience and opens daily, excepting some holidays.

Erected 2007.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is February 12, 1948.

Location. 37° 16.387′ N, 79° 56.369′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It is on Norfolk Avenue SE west of Market Street SE, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Roanoke VA 24011, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region

and in Southwest Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Market Square Walkway (here, next to this marker); Today's Rail Traffic (a few steps from this marker); Hotel Roanoke

Photographed by Kevin W., December 28, 2008

2. Norfolk and Western Passenger Station Marker

This marker is mounted on a railroad axel and wheel assembly.

(within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Roanoke Shops (within shouting distance of this marker); North Jefferson Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Hotel Roanoke (about 400 feet away); Norfolk & Western General Office Building (about 400 feet away); N&W General Office Building-South (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.

Other markers no longer nearby. Norfolk and Western Railway (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Roanoke - A Railroad Town (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Operation Fast Freight (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Finest Steam Passenger Locomotive (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Power Behind the Nation (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Roanoke Shops (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Kevin W., December 28, 2008

3. Norfolk and Western Passenger Station Marker

1905 Union Station from a vintage postcard.