Moving Companies Roanoke, VA

Roanoke, Virginia

Roanoke, The Star City of The South, is an independent city sitting in the Roanoke Valley, Virginia. Roanoke is also known by the title “The Magic City” because of the quick economic growth that resulted to its charter as a city just two years after it started as a town. Roanoke is home to about 94,482 residents as of the 2009 census. The city has been named as an All-America City for five times, an award only five other U.S. states have received. Roanoke also has been named as one of “America’s Most Livable Communities” and is a Certified Crime Prevention Community. Anyone moving to Roanoke is surely in for a magical experience.

Economy:
Roanoke’s history as a railroad town accounts for much of the businesses in the city today.  The production of automotive, transportation and electrical equipment are the major manufacturing industries in the city: the Virginia Transformer Corporation, Yokohama and General Electric to name a few. The Carillion Clinic, which is Roanoke-based, operates eight hospitals in the vicinity; this contributes to the city’s economy as well. Tourism, Wholesale and retail trades are also major industries within the city.  People interested in these industries will benefit by moving to Roanoke, Virginia.

History:
The region of Roanoke was visited by explorers around the 17th century, but it was not until the mid-18th century when settlers began moving in. These settlers were from eastern Virginia and Pennsylvania; they began farming in the area by 1740. By the early 19th century the towns of Antwerp, Gainesborough and Old Lick started springing up. Due to the completion of the Virginia and Tennessee railroads in 1852, there was rapid economic growth in the area. This lead to the incorporation of the three towns into the new town of Big Lick by 1852; it was named so because of the large salt licks nearby. By 1882 the name was changed to Roanoke, after the river. The addition of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad resulted in the chartering of Roanoke as a city two years later in 1884.The development of the railroad in the area did not stop there as the Virginia Railway’s construction became completed in 1907. The railroads in the city attracted many businesses and manufacturers; it also contributed greatly to the processing of coal in the nearby area.

Tourism:
The mountains close to Roanoke offer not only a scenic view to both visitors and residents of the city, but also different ways to enjoy nature.  George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are a favorite destination for tourists who want to see the area’s beauty. The Appalachian Trail, part of these forests, receives millions of visitors every year. Roanoke also has several museums, most notable of which is the Virginia Museum of Transportation, housing antique carriages, cars, trucks, buses, trolleys and more. The Taubman Museum of Art and O. Winston Link Museum are also other museum choices. Downtown Roanoke’s Historic Farmer’s Market is one of, if not the oldest, continuous use market in Virginia. Shopping centers, art galleries, country stores and Center in the Square, home to museums of History and Science, are found in this area. Festivals in the city are also tourist favorites. The Roanoke Festival in the Park, an 11 day celebration during the end of May and the Dickens of a Christmas festival, a Victorian Christmas celebration, are the most popular in the city. Air travel to Roanoke is made possible by the Roanoke Regional Airport. An alternative is travelling by land through the Interstates 81 and 581.

Colleges/Universities:
• Old Dominion College
• Jefferson College of Health and Sciences
• Skyline College - Roanoke
• Hollins University

Interesting Facts:
• The world's largest illuminated man-made free-standing star is found on top of the Mill Mountain, Roanoke, Virginia. It was after the construction of this star when Roanoke was given the nickname “Star City of the South.”
• The word Roanoke comes from the Indian “Rawrenock” meaning wampum, the white shell beads worn by the natives.
• The oldest restaurant in Roanoke is the Roanoke Weiner Stand. It dates back to 1926 and is now a city landmark.

Helpful Links:
• Roanoke Real Estate
• Roanoke Storage Facility
• Roanoke Insurance
• Roanoke Dental Offices
• Roanoke Moving Companies
• Roanoke Official Website