Downtown in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Wigmore Building
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 29, 2021
1. The Wigmore Building Marker c.1880-1921
Inscription.
The Wigmore Building. .
c.1880-1921. At the turn of the 20th century Market Street was still a street of private residences. The street, however, was beginning to change as downtown Roanoke began to expand. Homeowners moved out and businesses began to occupy the former homes. By 1908 the homes at 307 and 309 Market Street were vacant. Between 1908 and 1921 the structures at 305, 307 and 309 were converted to commercial duplexes with residences being located above the first floor businesses. ,
c.1921-2002. The current building was erected circa 1921. Between 1921 and 1975 the building was occupied by various tenants including Jamisons, Nunn Furniture Co. and Kroger. By 1977 the market area had become blighted and the building housed the largest of four area adult bookstores. International Realty and Development Corporation purchased the building in 1977. The first floor was renovated in 1979. The final restoration occurred between 2001 and 2002, when the second floor was converted to professional offices.
c.1880-1921
At the turn of the 20th century Market Street was still a street of private residences. The street, however, was beginning to change as downtown Roanoke began to expand. Homeowners moved out and businesses began to occupy the former homes. By 1908 the homes at 307 and 309 Market Street were vacant. Between 1908 and 1921 the structures at 305, 307 and 309 were converted to commercial duplexes with residences being located above the first floor businesses.
c.1921-2002
The current building was erected circa 1921. Between 1921 and 1975 the building was occupied by various tenants including Jamisons, Nunn Furniture Co. and Kroger. By 1977 the market area had become blighted and the building housed the largest of four area adult bookstores. International Realty and Development Corporation purchased the building in 1977. The first floor was renovated in 1979. The final restoration occurred between 2001 and 2002, when the second floor was converted to professional offices.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
Location. 37° 16.249′ N, 79° 56.353′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It is on Market Street
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Southeast south of Kirk Avenue Southeast, on the right when traveling south. Markers are mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, beside the 309 & 307 Market Street entrances. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 309 Market Street Southeast, 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.
Regarding The Wigmore Building. Contributing property in Roanoke City Market Historic District, National Register of Historic Places #83003312.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 29, 2021
2. The Wigmore Building Marker c.1921-2002
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 29, 2021
3. The Wigmore Building Marker c.1880-1921
(looking southwest at south building faηade)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 29, 2021
4. The Wigmore Building Marker c.1921-2002
(looking northwest at north building faηade)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 29, 2021
5. The Wigmore Building Facade
(markers visible in background, mounted on both sides of building center)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 29, 2021
6. The Wigmore Building
(looking northwest from across Market Street)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 460 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 5, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
