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

Claytor Memorial Clinic

Photographed by Stephen Escalera

1. Claytor Memorial Clinic Marker

Inscription. Dr. John B. Claytor Sr. opened the Claytor Memorial Clinic here in honor of his late wife, Roberta, in 1948. Situated in a vibrant Black community, this was one of the first Black, family-owned medical clinics in Southwest Virginia. Urban Renewal, under which the City of Roanoke demolished numerous homes, businesses, and churches between 1955 and the 1990s, hollowed out this and other Black neighborhoods. The city, using eminent domain, planned to acquire the Clinic and other Claytor buildings in the 1970s but never did so, leaving the properties in limbo for years. In 2001 the Claytors initiated legal action that helped inspire limitations on redevelopment authorities and eminent domain.

Erected 2023 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-179.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.

Location. 37° 16.612′ N, 79° 56.485′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Gainsboro. It is on Old Gainsboro Rd NW north of Gilmer Avenue NW, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 413 Old Gainsboro Rd NW, Roanoke VA 24016, 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

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distance of this marker: Gainsboro Branch Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Gainsboro Branch of the Roanoke City Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward Richard Dudley III (1911-2005) (within shouting distance of this marker); Hunton Life Saving And First Aid Crew (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Influence of Churches in Gainsboro (about 700 feet away); A Once-Vibrant African American Community (about 700 feet away); Social and Cultural Life (about 700 feet away); Evolution of a Neighborhood Name (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2026, by Stephen Escalera of Roanoke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on April 13, 2026, by Stephen Escalera of Roanoke, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.