You live in the Roanoke Valley Area, but you really don’t know that much about it. Sure, you know Roanoke is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and you might even know that it has a small-city feel while still providing the amenities you only find in a big city. If that’s all you know, though, it’s time to take a history lesson. Don’t worry, it won’t be boring. It’ll just give you some insight into your local community.
Bustling from the Beginning
Virginia is full of history, and Roanoke is no exception. It was a hotspot back in colonial times, and it really started to boom in 1882. That’s when the Norfolk and Western Railway came to town. That caused Roanoke to grow by leaps and bounds. That growth turned the city into the Roanoke you know today.
The Downtown Area
Today, Roanoke is known for having a thriving downtown area. The Historic Farmers Market acts as the anchor. People go there to buy fresh produce, arts and crafts, and plants from local farmers and artisans.
That might be the biggest draw, but it’s far from the only thing to do in the historic downtown area. Many people like to go to the Center in the Square, where they come across countless museums. That includes the Taubman Museum of Art. People also go to the historic downtown area to get a little shopping in or to grab a bite to eat. It’s normal to see countless people wandering the downtown area on any given day. It’s no wonder it’s so popular. It is a National Register district, and it’s rich with history and things to do.
You might also like: Spend a Saturday at the Lynchburg Community Market
A Parkway Is Born
Now you’re wondering about the Blue Ridge Parkway. How did it come about?
You might not realize this, but Roanoke served as the headquarters when the Parkway was being developed. The team huddled up in a downtown building and came up with the design. Maybe that’s why the Blue Ridge Parkway is still so important to the people of Roanoke. It was essentially born in the downtown area. It’s a part of your blood.
You probably want to travel the Parkway, but you need some wheels for that. You don’t want to go in your current vehicle. That wouldn’t be much fun. Instead, you want to get something new, and Berglund Automotive in Roanoke, Virginia, can help. We are on hand and ready to help you pick out your new wheels, so come by and see us today.
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