Timeline of Roanoke, Virginia

The following is a of the history of the city of Roanoke, Virginia, United States.

Prior to 20th century

1835 - Town of Gainesborough incorporated.
1838 - Roanoke County created.
1852 - Big Lick Depot built near Gainesborough; Virginia & Tennessee Railroad begins operating.
1865 - April: Big Lick settlement sacked by Federal forces during American Civil War.
1870 - Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio Railroad begins operating.
1874
Town of Big Lick incorporated.
John Trout becomes mayor.
1878 - Big Lick News begins publication.
1882
Big Lick and Old Lick renamed "Roanoke".
Roanoke Machine Works in business.
Population: 5,276.
1883 - YMCA branch founded.
1884 - City of Roanoke incorporated.
1885 - Municipal market established.
1886 - Roanoke Daily Times newspaper begins publication.
1889 - Evening World newspaper begins publication.
1890
Roanoke Hospital founded.
Population: 16,159.
1891 - Roanoke Weekly Press newspaper begins publication.
1893 - September 20: "Lynch riot" occurs.

1902 - Beth Israel congregation formed.
1903 - Agricultural "Great Roanoke Fair" begins.
1904 - Chamber of Commerce founded.
1906 - Virginian Railway begins operating.
1910
City Health Department established.
Mill Mountain Incline (funicular) begins operating.
Population: 34,874.
1911 - Roanoke Theatre in business.
1913 - Bijou Theatre in business.
1914 - YWCA branch founded.
1919 - "Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court" established.
1920 - Population: 50,842.
1921
Public Library opens.
Ku Klux Klan branch active (approximate date).
1924 - WDBJ radio begins broadcasting.
1925 - Patrick Henry Hotel in business.
1926 - Memorial Bridge opens.
1930 - Big Lick Garden Club formed.
1933 - Roanoke Municipal Airport begins operating.
1936 - First Dr. Pepper plant east of the Mississippi River opened by John William "Bill" Davis; Roanoke soon becomes the Dr. Pepper Capitol of the World
1939 - Roanoke Tribune newspaper begins publication.
1950 - Population: 91,921.
1952
WSLS-TV (television) begins broadcasting.
Mill Mountain Zoo established.
1955 - WDBJ-TV (television) begins broadcasting.
1957 - Roanoke Historical Society founded.
1959 - Temple Emanuel Synagogue built.
1966 - Virginia Western Community College established.
1976 - Portion of Roanoke County becomes part of city.
1980 - Population: 100,220.
1985 - Valley View Mall in business.
1992 - David A. Bowers becomes mayor.
1993 - Bob Goodlatte becomes U.S. representative for Virginia's 6th congressional district.
2000 - City website online (approximate date).

2004 - O. Winston Link Museum opens.
2010 - Population: 97,032.
2016
October 25: FreightCar America shooting occurs.
Sherman P. Lea becomes mayor.
2020 - The Norfolk Southern locomotive shops cease production in Roanoke after 139 years of operations.