Mill Mountain Park in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Roanoke Star
Photographed by AGS Media, November 17, 2008
1. The Roanoke Star Marker
Sits adjacent to the Star itself.
World's largest man-made star. Erected in 1949 as a symbol of the progressive spirit of Roanoke, Star City of the South.
Height of steel structure - 100 ft.
Height of star - 88 1/2 ft.
Weight of star - 10,000 lbs.
Weight of steel structure - 60,000 lbs.
Weight of concrete base - 500,000 lbs.
Depth of base - 6 1/2 ft.
Length of neon tubing - 2,000 ft.
Current consumed - 17,500 watts
Height above sea level - 1,847 ft.
Height above city - 1,045 ft.
Visibility from the air - 60 miles
Several possible color combinations
Illuminated every night till 12.
Erected by Roanoke Merchants Association, Roanoke Chamber of Commerce.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.
Location. 37° 15.057′ N, 79° 55.948′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Mill Mountain Park. It can be reached from Prospect Road Southeast 0.7 miles north of Mill Mountain Parkway/J P Fishburn Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: M. Carl Andrews Overlook (within shouting distance of this marker);
this page online
More about this marker. The Roanoke Star sits at the summit of Mill Mountain Park. Parking area is located at the end of Prospect Road SE, past the Mill Mountain Zoo, approximately 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from where Prospect intersects with Mill Mountain Parkway / J P Fishburn Parkway.
The marker, like the Roanoke Star itself, overlooks the independent city of Roanoke. The view is spectacular.
Regarding The Roanoke Star. The Roanoke Star is a prominently visible landmark, even in the day, but especially at night. It is listed with the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is a Virginia Historic Landmark. It is also commonly known as the
Photographed by AGS Media, November 18, 2008
2. The Roanoke Star atop Mill Mountain Park
Additional keywords. Mill Mountain Park
Photographed by AGS Media, November 17, 2008
3. The Roanoke Star at night
Photographed by AGS Media, November 17, 2008
4. View of downtown Roanoke at night, from Mill Mountain
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 16, 2015
5. The Roanoke Star
Additional markers at the site recognize the Roanoke Star as a member of the National Register of Historic Places, and acknowledge the Woman's Club of Roanoke for providing the landscaping.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 16, 2015
6. The Roanoke Star During the Day
Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,470 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 4. submitted on May 4, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. 5, 6. submitted on April 20, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 7. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
