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

The Virginian Railway Roanoke Passenger Station

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 24, 2021

1. The Virginian Railway Roanoke Passenger Station Marker

Inscription.

The Virginian Railway Roanoke Passenger Station. . , The Virginian Railway Roanoke Passenger Station is a project of and owned by Roanoke chapter, National Railway Historical Society., Long known as Roanoke's "Other" railroad, the Virginian was also later in coming to the area. One of two major railroads constructed in the 20th Century, the Virginian's roots were in the hills of West Virginia and the Deepwater Railway. In 1902, self-made millionaire Henry Huttleston Rogers became involved in the railroad business, helping acquire the Deepwater, and two years later formed the Tidewater Railway to ultimately connect with the Deepwater providing a "mine to market" railroad to Norfolk. Rogers financed the construction of the roads from his own fortune. The Rogers era was known for "nothing but the best" and our Roanoke station is an example of that thinking. Sadly, Rogers only barely saw the completion of his railroad, with a single tour of the completed line on April 4-7, 1909. Just over two weeks later, on April 18, 1909, Rogers passed away at his home in New York at age 69, never seeing the full development of the Virginian., The Roanoke station was built in 1909-1910 as a showpiece of the Virginian Railway in Roanoke. The design was unique to the Virginian and served the railroad's passenger service until the last run on January 29, 1956. The station was used as offices until merger with the Norfolk and Western on December 1, 1959. It was leased out to a private concern until the evening of January 29, 2001, 45 years to the day of the last passenger service on the Virginian. A fire nearly destroyed the building that night, but it would rise like a Phoenix from the ashes with restoration completed in 2016. The station served as the most visible part of the Virginian in Roanoke during the days of passenger services and has been restored to its former grandeur with faithful effort from many people., The Station is dedicated is dedicated to those former Virginian employees and all others who helped make the saving and restoration of the Virginian Railway Station possible., Norfolk Southern Corporation . Friends of the Virginian Railway . Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society . Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation

The Virginian Railway Roanoke Passenger Station is a project of and owned by Roanoke chapter, National Railway Historical Society.

Long known as Roanoke's "Other" railroad, the Virginian was also later in coming to the area. One of two major railroads constructed in the 20th Century, the Virginian's roots were in the hills of West Virginia and the Deepwater Railway. In 1902, self-made millionaire Henry Huttleston Rogers became involved in the railroad business, helping acquire the Deepwater, and two years later formed the Tidewater Railway to ultimately connect with the Deepwater providing a "mine to market" railroad to Norfolk. Rogers financed the construction of the roads from his own fortune. The Rogers era was known for "nothing but the best" and our Roanoke station is an example of that thinking. Sadly, Rogers only barely saw the completion of his railroad, with a single tour of the completed line on April 4-7, 1909. Just over two weeks later, on April 18, 1909, Rogers passed away at his home in New York at age 69, never seeing the full development of the Virginian.

The Roanoke station was built in 1909-1910 as a showpiece of the Virginian Railway in Roanoke. The design was unique to the Virginian and served the railroad's passenger service until the last run on January 29, 1956. The station was

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used as offices until merger with the Norfolk and Western on December 1, 1959. It was leased out to a private concern until the evening of January 29, 2001, 45 years to the day of the last passenger service on the Virginian. A fire nearly destroyed the building that night, but it would rise like a Phoenix from the ashes with restoration completed in 2016. The station served as the most visible part of the Virginian in Roanoke during the days of passenger services and has been restored to its former grandeur with faithful effort from many people.

The Station is dedicated is dedicated to those former Virginian employees and all others who helped make the saving and restoration of the Virginian Railway Station possible.

Norfolk Southern Corporation • Friends of the Virginian Railway • Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society • Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation

Erected by Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is January 29, 1956.

Location. 37° 15.589′ N, 79° 56.452′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Old Southwest. Marker is on Williamson Road Southeast just east of Jefferson Street Southeast, on the right when traveling

The Virginian Railway Roanoke Passenger Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 24, 2021

2. The Virginian Railway Roanoke Passenger Station

east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1402 S Jefferson St, 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. Virginian Railway Station (within shouting distance of this marker); St. John's Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away); Lynching in America / The Lynching of Thomas Smith (approx. half a mile away); Roanoke (approx. half a mile away); The Great Roanoke Fair & Mountain Park (approx. half a mile away); The Patrick Henry (approx. 0.6 miles away); A Colonial Ford (approx. 0.6 miles away); Holton Plaza (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.