Roanoke can refer to numerous locations throughout the United States. However, the single most prominent of these would be the city of Roanoke in the state of Virginia, which is the biggest of the municipalities that bear the name.
What Are Some Interesting Facts about Roanoke?
Here are some facts of potential interest:
- This Roanoke is an independent city. This means that it isn’t a part of a county. Furthermore, while an independent city has similar powers to a consolidated city-county, it is differentiated by the fact that there isn’t a county with even nominal existence. There are independent cities in other U.S. states. However, the overwhelming majority of them are situated in the state of Virginia.
- Technically, the city is named for indigenous people. In short, the Roanoke were an Algonquian-speaking people who lived in what is now North Carolina’s Dare County plus a part of the mainland. They lent their name to Roanoke Island and thus the Roanoke Colony. In turn, these inspired numerous other locations throughout the country.
- Roanoke isn’t a particularly populous city. As of the 2020 census, its population just cleared the 100,000 mark at 100,011 residents. Even if one includes the entire Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area, that is a total of 315,251 people. Despite this, Roanoke is the biggest city in the state that can be found west of Richmond, with the result that it is both a cultural and a commercial hub for much of Southwest Virginia and even parts of Southern West Virginia.
Natural Bridge
Due to mysterious Fort and colony that was left while the help was sent for and when they returned to the fort they were no were to be found all that was left was a carving that read Roanoke. It still was said they was lead to have been lead to cannibalism to surivial for the survival rate was not at all good. But no one was there no signs of life form it was if someone just blinked them all out of existence a mystery to this day as legend goes. And no one even wants to live near Roanoke they consider it bad luck and don’t question the its stories of the army the Fort the colony, the cannibalism or any other tales that have been spoken nor the Roanoke carved sign left for those that came to help those poor souls it claimed that cold winter when the legend began. Nor will I , it shall alway remain a mystery to this day Roanoke how powerful and bold it is the STATEMENT the message we will never know and perhaps we shouldn’t question something that is so powerful as this that can claim that many people its just as questionable as the Unknown Darkness of the Bermuda triangle something are BEST to just leave ALONE ….
Very interesting Cynyhia, thank you for sharing!
If it was cannibalism, there would be remains of one person.
Worked two years as a young reporter/columnist for The Roanoke Times. The historic Hotel Roanoke is still there and still worth an overnight visit. Downtown is within walking distance w/ lots of shops and restaurants. (Make at least one stop at The Texas Tavern, a small, lunch-counter type establishment where our nightside news staff went after 1 a.m. for slightly greasy chili and White Castle-sized hamburgers, only better.) Roanoke College is in adjacent Salem, along with a minor-league (Class A) baseball park. There was, and presumably still is, a summer-stock theater on a hilltop overlooking the Star City of the South (it used to have an illuminated star up there) and large civic center w/ diverse attractions. It’s also a home base for the N&W Railway — and lots of clean, well-maintained neighborhoods. Much more interesting place to stop than just one more roadside motel.
Thank you so much for the insightful comment Lee! I hope anyone who is planning on visiting Roanoke reads this.
One of the warmest cities on Earth. Sweetest people, beautiful and warm and the with a slight southern draw.
I have spent the better part of 42 years traveling in and around Roanoke. One of my children had a Mother still living in the area with family and relatives stretching back to Colonial times. My 18 year old has a Mother who has lived in Roanoke for 25 years having relocated from Colombia. She lives with her husband on one of the Mountains overlooking the City.
Roanoke is inextricably linked to nearby powerhouse Virginia Tech (Hokies), thereby having access to some of the brightest minds the world has to offer. Over my many years and visits Roanoke has not really capitalized on this talent instead, focusing on the overwhelming number number retirees (a lot of older woman) resulting from the Insurance and or Railroad businesses upon which the City expanded.
In the next twenty (20) years I believe this City will not escape massive expansion and commercialization.
I intend on continued enjoyment of Roanoke as it is today and plan to witness, first hand, the fulfillment of its glorious potential.