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1891 Map of Roanoke

Name: 1891 Topographic Map of Roanoke
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1900
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1900

About this map

The Roanoke city core and its surrounding mountain gaps are captured here during a period of rapid iron-fueled growth following the merger of the Shenandoah Valley and Norfolk and Western Railroad. The landscape is dominated by the massive ridge of the Blue Ridge mountains, including the iconic Peaks of Otter and Flat Top. While Roanoke serves as the burgeoning industrial hub, the surrounding counties of Botetourt, Bedford, and Franklin remain a network of rural settlements and family enterprises.

Genealogists can trace historical landmarks like Hollins Inst. Botetourt Sprs and the Rorer Mines, which were critical to the local economy. The map preserves the locations of numerous community anchors, from the Patmos Church in the south to the mills along the river forks, such as Meadows Mill and Pattersons Mill. This survey reflects the region's topography before modern highway development, highlighting the reliance on natural gaps like Powell Gap and Murrill Gap for travel.