Mill Mountain Park in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Honoring J. B. Fishburn
1865 - 1955
Pioneer citizen, Publisher, Banker, Businessman and Philanthropist, he watched the tiny hamlet of Big Lick grow into the thriving town and city of Roanoke. He founded the Times-World Corporation, helped organize the First National Exchange Bank of Virginia and participated in numerous business and industrial ventures, ever keeping in mind the recreational needs of the people.
Through his generosity and vision, he and his family contributed Mill Mountain, South Roanoke, Wasena, Lakewood and Norwich parks to the City and Fairystone State Park to the Commonwealth of Virginia. In a final bequest, he willed his lovely home and grounds "Mountain View" to the City for its park and recreational headquarters.
It was his dream to link the Blue Ridge Parkway with Mill Mountain, thus enabling Parkway visitors to share with local citizens the matchless view and to create here a great park for posterity.
In his memory and in appreciation for his many gifts, this scenic road joining the park and the city was gratefully dedicated as
May 17, 1971
Erected 1975 by the City of Roanoke with landscape planting by Magic City Garden Club.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
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Location. 37° 14.591′ N, 79° 56.237′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Mill Mountain Park. It is at the intersection of Mill Mountain Spur Southeast and JB Fishburn Parkway Southeast, on the right when traveling north on Mill Mountain Spur Southeast. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2436 Mill Mountain Spur SE, Roanoke VA 24014, 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 distance of this marker: Red Wolf (approx. Ό mile away); Black Bear Recovery (approx. Ό mile away); Bald Eagle (approx. Ό mile away); Northern Lynx (approx. 0.3 miles away); Red Panda (approx. 0.3 miles away); Burmese Python (approx. 0.3 miles away); Myotonic Goats (approx. 0.3 miles away); American Guinea Hog (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
