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

Hotel Roanoke

The David R. and Susan S. Goode Railwalk

Photographed by Kevin W., December 28, 2008

1. Hotel Roanoke Marker

Inscription.

Hotel Roanoke. The David R. and Susan S. Goode Railwalk. Roanoke’s “Grand Old Lady” stands on the hill overlooking downtown Roanoke. Styled to appear like an old English inn, it was the grand hotel for Roanoke since it opened in 1882. The Hotel was located near the new Union Station and a treat for passengers just off the smoky, sooty trains., The Hotel quickly became known for its fine dining and amenities. The Hotel Roanoke was THE place Roanokers would eat for occasions, banquets, and wedding receptions. It was simply “the Hotel,” no explanation needed., The railroad also constantly held events, meetings and dinners at the Hotel for employees, visitors, and dignitaries. Not blessed with the scenic setting of the Greenbrier on the Chesapeake and Ohio, but renown for its services as well, the Hotel went through its trials and tribulations through the years, but not once, until December 1989 were the doors closed. Over the years, the original structure changed its looks and accommodations, but would not stray far from its original styling., The Hotel, original General Office Building and Union Station were all styled to make a family of railroad-owned buildings., In 1982, Norfolk and Western merged with the Southern Railway to form the Norfolk Southern Corporation. NS concentrated on their primary business, operating their railroads, and were less interested in being in the hotel business. When the headquarters was moved from Roanoke to Norfolk in the 1980s, it marked the end of an era in many ways. The Hotel was given to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)., Virginia Tech and the City collaborated on a new partnership. Tech remodeled the Hotel, the City built a conference center. It continues to be “the Hotel” for Roanokers and now serves more patrons than ever since it reopened in 1995., Connecting the Hotel with downtown Roanoke is the Market Square Walkway with a viewing area over the NS mainlines. There are a number of informative panels with historical information available in the walkway.

Roanoke’s “Grand Old Lady” stands on the hill overlooking downtown Roanoke. Styled to appear like an old English inn, it was the grand hotel for Roanoke since it opened in 1882. The Hotel was located near the new Union Station and a treat for passengers just off the smoky, sooty trains.

The Hotel quickly became known for its fine dining and amenities. The Hotel Roanoke was THE place Roanokers would eat for occasions, banquets, and wedding receptions. It was simply “the Hotel,” no explanation needed.

The railroad also constantly held events, meetings and dinners at the Hotel for employees, visitors, and dignitaries. Not blessed with the scenic setting of the Greenbrier on the Chesapeake & Ohio, but renown for its services as well, the Hotel went through its trials and tribulations through the years, but not once, until December 1989 were the doors closed. Over the years, the original structure changed its looks and accommodations, but would not stray far from its original styling.

The Hotel, original General Office Building and Union Station were all styled to make a family of railroad-owned buildings.

In 1982, Norfolk and Western merged with the Southern Railway to form the Norfolk Southern Corporation. NS concentrated on their primary business, operating their railroads,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

and were less interested in being in the hotel business. When the headquarters was moved from Roanoke to Norfolk in the 1980s, it marked the end of an era in many ways. The Hotel was given to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).

Virginia Tech and the City collaborated on a new partnership. Tech remodeled the Hotel, the City built a conference center. It continues to be “the Hotel” for Roanokers and now serves more patrons than ever since it reopened in 1995.

Connecting the Hotel with downtown Roanoke is the Market Square Walkway with a viewing area over the NS mainlines. There are a number of informative panels with historical information available in the walkway.

Erected 2007.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 37° 16.387′ N, 79° 56.391′ 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 (within shouting distance of this marker); Norfolk and Western Passenger Station (within shouting distance of this marker);

Hotel Roanoke and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., December 28, 2008

2. Hotel Roanoke and Marker

The Market Square Walkway, mentioned on the marker, is seen to the right in this photograph.

Today's Rail Traffic (within shouting distance of this marker); North Jefferson Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Norfolk & Western General Office Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Roanoke Shops (about 300 feet away); N&W General Office Building-South (about 300 feet away); First National Bank (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 about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Paid Advertisement

sectionhead>More about this marker. All pictures are Norfolk and Western Railway photos provided for the marker from the collection of Kenneth L. Miller.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2009, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,253 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 12, 2009, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.