Old Southwest in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Dr. Elbyrne Grady Gill
(1891-1966)
Dr. Elbyrne G. Gill, a native of Bedford County, opened the Gill Memorial Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in this block in 1926. Through the hospital, one of the first of its specialty in VA. Gill hosted annual congresses that offered postgraduate courses for eye, ear, nose, and throat specialists. By featuring renowned faculty, including current and future Nobel laureates, these conferences attracted physicians from across the U.S. Gill, a charter member of the Roanoke Lions Club, served a term as president of Lions International in 1943-44. In 1957, he opened the first eye bank in western VA. A leader in Roanoke's civic life, Gill chaired the local board of health for 25 years.
Erected 2025 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-186.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 37° 16.048′ N, 79° 56.441′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Old Southwest. It is
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 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 (a few steps from this marker); St. John's Episcopal Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); U.S.S. Roanoke (about 300 feet away); The Patrick Henry (about 400 feet away); A Brief History of Elmwood Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Boxley Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Holton Plaza (approx. 0.2 miles away); 412 Jefferson St., SE (approx. 0.2 miles away).
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 26, 2026
3. The Vistar Eye Center stands across the street.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
