Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

McNeil Drive

Photographed by Kevin W., November 23, 2007

1. McNeil Drive Marker

Inscription. McNeil Drive is named in honor of Samuel P. McNeil, the leading sponsor and founder of WBRA and educational television of Roanoke and Southwest Virginia. Mr. McNeil served as Chairman of WBRA for 25 years from its beginning in 1966 until he retired in 1992. He was a co-founder of the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also served as Chairman of the Roanoke City School Board from 1970 to 1976.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Education • Religion & Religious Structures • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1966.

Location. 37° 14.812′ N, 79° 58.31′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Virginia Western Community College. It is at the intersection of Colonial Avenue Southwest (Virginia Route 720) and McNeil Drive, on the left when traveling east on Colonial Avenue Southwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1201 McNeil Dr SW, Roanoke VA 24015, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Virginia Western Community College (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia Western Community College Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fishburne Park Flagpole (approx. half a mile away);

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The Coffee Pot (approx. 1.1 miles away); A Colonial Ford (approx. 1.3 miles away); Fire Station No. 7 (approx. 1.3 miles away); Arthur Taubman (approx. 1.4 miles away); Roanoke Memorial Bridge (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.

Additional commentary.
1. About Blue Ridge PBS
Blue Ridge PBS is comprised of WBRA-TV/DT in Roanoke, WSBN-TV/DT in Norton, and WMSY-TV/DT in Marion, VA. Founded in 1967, it is the sole public multimedia enterprise serving 2.5 million individuals in portions of five states.

The station's 26,000 square-mile coverage area includes southwestern Virginia and bordering counties in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and North Carolina.

As the region's storyteller, Blue Ridge PBS offers informational, educational and cultural programming, along with an award-winning local production team devoted to regional issues and interests.

Over 200,000 schoolchildren and their teachers benefit from the station's education services that provide a safe, trusted environment for innovative on-air and online learning.

Photographed by Kevin W., November 23, 2007

2. McNeil Drive Marker
— Submitted November 27, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,515 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.