Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

An appointment for research is required. The collection is open for research. No interlibrary loan.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Roanoke Historical Clippings Collection, Radford University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA. Roanoke Historical Clippings Collection , Accession # AC 025, University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University

Acquisition Information

Accruals

No additional accruals are expected.

Processing Information

Processing and finding aid by Sarah Theibert with finding aid assistance by Gene Hyde.

Historical Information

The town of Roanoke was first established in 1852 as Big Lick, named for the large deposits of salt near the Roanoke River. In 1882 it became the town of Roanoke and in 1884 was chartered as the independent city of Roanoke. The name Roanoke is said to have originated from the Algonquian word for shell money. Roanoke is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia. Roanoke's location along the Great Wagon Road and later becoming a stop on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad contributed to the rapid growth of the city and it is today the largest municipality of Southwest Virginia.

Scope and Content

This collection contains the history of Roanoke and how the area developed from 1921-1980. Information about the schools, hospitals, businesses, public library, social life and customs, and newspapers document the progress Roanoke experienced through reports, pamphlets, and maps. The clippings from the newspapers discuss the bicentennial, Wilson's death, health issues like birth control and abortion, the railroad company's start in Roanoke, the annexation of students, and other issues and news about Roanoke.

Arrangement

Box 1. Information on the History of Roanoke

Box 2. Newspaper Articles