On Wells Avenue Northeast east of North Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling east.
Older than the new City of Roanoke developing to its south, Gainesborough ("Old Lick") was growing as a racially-diverse neighborhood that was the center of the African-American community by the 1890s. Businesses serving the community were . . . — — Map (db m142996) HM
On Centre Avenue Northwest west of Henry Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west.
Across the street from this spot stood the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad Depot. The boundaries of the town of Big Lick were set out in the 1874 charter as, “commencing at this point and extending therefrom one-half mile north, east, . . . — — Map (db m150293) HM
On Gilmer Avenue Northwest just west of 4th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west.
Attorney & counselor, social activist, seeking to end racial discrimination, segregation and Apartheid in America. For over six decades (1934 - 36, 1939 - 98) Oliver Hill litigated cases in Virginia to secure, defend, protect, and preserve equal . . . — — Map (db m172312) HM
On Wells Avenue Northeast east of North Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling east.
Some of the most significant contributions made by Northeast and Northwest residents were in the advancement of civil rights.
A. J. Oliver was a 19th century pioneer in law and the first black attorney in Roanoke. Born during the Civil War, he . . . — — Map (db m143000) HM
On Wells Avenue Northeast east of North Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling east.
Today's Gainsboro neighborhood and the surrounding area has been referenced by many names over the years. The first settled area was known as Big Lick in the 1800s, named after the large salt marsh near the Great Road. In 1835, the settlement was . . . — — Map (db m142994) HM
On Wells Avenue Northeast east of North Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling east.
Gainesborough to Big Lick to Roanoke The early settlement of Roanoke started along the Big Lick, a large salt marsh that attracted animals and hunters to the Roanoke Valley. The earliest roads through the valley followed Native American . . . — — Map (db m142993) HM
On Wells Avenue Northeast east of North Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling east.
Segregation in the early 20th century kept black doctors and nurses from working in the white hospitals of Roanoke, and black citizens were denied treatment in these facilities.
By 1914, a committee of doctors led by Isaac Burrell and . . . — — Map (db m142999) HM
On Henry Street Northwest north of Loudon Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling north.
African-American Commercial Center Henry Street, also known as First Street, N.W., served as the commercial and entertainment center for African-Americans in Roanoke during the first half of the 20th Century. During the days of Jim Crow . . . — — Map (db m134600) HM
Near Shenandoah Avenue NE west of Williamson Road NE, on the right when traveling west.
The Hotel Roanoke was built in 1892 by the Norfolk and Western Railroad. Over the next century, despite fire and depression, it became the city's social center. The Tudor Revival building became a beloved landmark for thousands of visitors. Its . . . — — Map (db m105087) HM
Near Wells Avenue NE at Commonwealth Avenue NE, on the right when traveling east.
The Hotel Roanoke was built in 1892 by the Norfolk and Western Railroad. Over the next century, despite fire and depression, it became the city's social center. The Tudor Revival building became a beloved landmark for thousands of visitors. Its . . . — — Map (db m14960) HM
On Wells Avenue NW east of Henry Street NW, on the right when traveling east.
Alexander A. Terrell organized the Hunton Life Saving and First Aid Crew in Dec. 1941, shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The crew, reputed to have been the first all-black volunteer rescue squad in the United States, was originally . . . — — Map (db m166880) HM
On Wells Avenue Northeast east of North Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling east.
The first known school in the area for African-Americans was the 1872 Old Lick Colored School, located in a modest log building on Diamond Hill, where the Civic Center now stands. Other schools for blacks included the Gainsboro School (at Gainsboro . . . — — Map (db m142998) HM
On North Jefferson Street near Shenandoah Avenue Northeast, on the left when traveling north.
[Main plaque] Norfolk & Western Railway offices constructed in 6 months with 22 fireproof vaults after original building burned.
[Secondary plaque] Eight Jefferson Place is on the National Register of Historic Places and the . . . — — Map (db m208595) HM
On Gilmer Avenue Northwest just west of 4th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west.
Oliver White Hill Sr., Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree, worked to dismantle Jim Crow laws in the United States. Over his nearly seven-decade career as a civil rights attorney, Hill challenged inequities in education, employment, and public . . . — — Map (db m140530) HM
On Henry Street at Loudon Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Henry Street.
Oscar Micheaux, renowned leading creator of African American "race films" between 1919 and 1948, produced up to six full-length films in Roanoke between 1922 and 1925. The Strand Theatre housed the Micheaux Film Corporation from 1923 to 1925, while . . . — — Map (db m103847) HM
On Wells Avenue Northeast east of North Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling east.
Social organizations and activities unified the community and boosted black leaders' influence. The Roanoke Chapter of the NAACP was founded in 1916. Other organizations included the Freemasons, the Association of Colored Railway Trainmen . . . — — Map (db m142997) HM
On Wells Avenue Northeast east of North Jefferson Street, on the left when traveling east.
In addition to religious activities, the churches in Northeast and Northwest were instrumental in providing community leadership, childhood education, and information on public and social issues. By 1900, there were nine black churches in the area, . . . — — Map (db m142995) HM
