First Train to Big Lick

Photographed by Kevin W., December 28, 2008

1. First Train to Big Lick Marker

Inscription. Nearby, on Nov. 1, 1852, the first Virginia & Tennessee Railroad train arrived in Big Lick (now Roanoke), three years after the company had been incorporated. The track from Lynchburg, Virginia to Bristol, Tennessee, was completed in 1856. In 1870, the railroad combined with the Southside and the Norfolk & Petersburg railroads to form the Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio Railroad, which became the Norfolk & Western Railroad in 1881. During the 1880s, Roanoke became a rail center. Numerous railroad facilities were located here, including locomotive and rail car manufacturing plants, roundhouses, a large freight yard, a passenger station and the headquarters of Norfolk & Western (1881-1982).

Erected by Norfolk Southern Roanoke Employees.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1882.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 37° 16.39′ N, 79° 56.472′ W. Marker was in Roanoke, Virginia. It was in Downtown. It was on Norfolk Avenue SE west of S. Jefferson Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Roanoke VA 24011, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the Mountain Region

and in Southwest Virginia.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location

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: Norfolk & Western General Office Building (within shouting distance of this marker); North Jefferson Street (within shouting distance of this marker); N&W General Office Building-South (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First National Bank (about 300 feet away); Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge (about 400 feet away); Hotel Roanoke (about 400 feet away); The Market Square Walkway (about 500 feet away); Norfolk and Western Passenger Station (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.

Additional commentary.
1. This Marker is No Longer Here
There is now a Amtrak platform here.

— Submitted June 15, 2023, by Clifton Wilson of Roanoke City, Virginia.

Photographed by Kevin W., December 28, 2008

2. First Train to Big Lick Marker

The former Norfolk and Western General Office Building is in the background. The marker is just to the left of the second bollard from the left.

Photographed by Kevin W., December 28, 2008

3. First Train to Big Lick Marker

It is hard to see, to the right of the flatcar.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2009, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,474 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 12, 2009, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.