Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Roanoke Star
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. Marker 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Endangered Species: The Roanoke Logperch (approx. 0.4 miles away); American Viscose Corp. (approx. 0.6 miles away); History of Evan Mill and Crystal Spring (approx. 0.7 miles away); Big Lick Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Great Roanoke Fair & Mountain Park (approx. ¾ mile away); The Virginian Railway Roanoke Passenger Station (approx. ¾ mile away); Virginian Railway Station (approx. 0.8 miles away); A Colonial Ford (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.
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 Mill Mountain Star.
Additional keywords. Mill Mountain Park
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,880 times since then and 52 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. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.