Perspective Map of the City of Roanoke, VA. 1891.

• Price: $3,500.00
  

  SKU: 98763

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• ARTIST:

• PUBLISHER: Copyrighted and published by the American Publishing Co. Cor. Water & Ferry Sts. Milwaukee, Wis.

• MEDIUM: Two stone lithograph,

  DATE: 1891.

• EDITION SIZE: Image size 37 5/8 x 17 3/4" (95.6 x 44.8 cm)

• DESCRIPTION: A rare 1891 bird’s-eye view of Roanoke, Virginia.<br><br> The city of Roanoke owes its existence to its advantageous location along the Roanoke River, in a long valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains connecting Maryland with eastern Tennessee. Even in Colonial times, it was an important trail hub. It was only in 1852 that a town was established on the site,. It was originally named Big Lick after a nearby salt outcrop. Big Lick got its big boost in the early 1880s, when it was selected as the junction of the Norfolk and Western Railway and the new Shenandoah Valley Railroad. The town was renamed Roanoke in 1882 and chartered as a city in 1884. Its population exploded from 669 in 1880 to more than 16,000 a decade later. <br><br> The image depicts the town as seen from the southeast . It was from an imaginary viewpoint over what is today Mill Mountain Park with the Roanoke River dominating the near and middle ground and the Blue Ridge in the far distance. <br><br> The view shows of hundreds of residences, public buildings, rail facilities and factories. Among the latter the most notable are the vast Roanoke Machine Works, which at the time were dedicated to producing engines for the Norfolk and Western. Most of the ample open space around the city has been scooped up by at least 19 different land companies, and some of these parcels already have street plans laid out. <br><br> A small inset map indicates Roanoke’s location in south-central Virginia and emphasizes its advantageous position as a rail hub, and a dozen insets depict the offices of the Norfolk and Western, other businesses, public buildings, and a pair of fine residences. A numbered, keyed to identifies dozens of public buildings, hotels, railroads, factories, churches and no fewer than three newspapers.

• ADDITIONAL INFO:

• CONDITION: Overall in good condition. At one time the piece was folded, likely as issued. There is some splitting and occasional loss along the fold lines which has been professionally repaired. Backed on ricepaper.

• REFERENCE: Reps, Views and Viewmakers, #4139

• CATEGORIES: 18th-19th Century Subjects , Town Views - United States