Downtown in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Welcome to Historic Roanoke City Market
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022
1. Welcome to Historic Roanoke City Market Marker
The Historic Roanoke City Market (aka the Farmer's Market) is the oldest continuously operating open-air market in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It opened in 1882, when licenses were issued to 25 area Hucksters (vendors).
The first City of Roanoke Charter formally authorized a municipally-owned market in 1884. The Farmer's Market consisted of outdoor vendors and vendors located inside the first City Market Building which was completed in 1886. A fire destroyed the original building and it was replaced by the current building in 1922. After serving as an indoor market for many years, the City Market Building was renovated into a food court in the mid 1980s.
Farmer's Market vendors offer an amazing selection of locally grown plants, fresh fruits, and vegetables plus local meats, baked goods and more. You'll also find artisans with jewelry, soaps, and many more unique handcrafted items.
Erected by Downtown Roanoke, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.
Location. 37° 16.302′ N, 79° 56.345′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia.
this page online
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: Roanoke City Market (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wigmore Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Colonial National Bank Building (about 400 feet away); First National Bank (about 500 feet away); Today's Rail Traffic (about 500 feet away); a different
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022
2. Welcome to Historic Roanoke City Market Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Norfolk and Western Railway (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); Roanoke - A Railroad Town (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); Operation Fast Freight (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Finest Steam Passenger Locomotive (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); Power Behind the Nation (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); Roanoke Shops (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . .
1. Local History: Historic Roanoke City Market. Visit Roanoke website entry:
Started in 1882, it has become an anchor for the railroad boom town and an iconic experience in Virginias Blue Ridge. (Casey L. Higgins, Virginia's Blue Ridge tourism bureau, posted Aug. 16, 2019) (Submitted on October 28, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. The Building.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022
3. Roanoke City Market Building
Brief history of the City Market Building, with details about tiled floor mosaics at its four entrances depicting a facet of Roanoke's past. (Submitted on October 28, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 422 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 27, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
