25 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
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Norfolk and Western 1218
· 0.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
You're near a piece of iron history, a titan of steam: the Norfolk and Western 1218. This behemoth is the only surviving Class A locomotive from the Norfolk and Western Railway. Built right here in Roanoke in 1943, 1218…
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Virginia Museum of Transportation
· 0.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wonder how Virginia moved through time? The Virginia Museum of Transportation is the place to find out. Originally a Norfolk and Western Railway freight station built in 1918, the building sat largely unused by the…
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Roanoke, VA
· 0.2 mi · Local history
Roanoke nestles in the embrace of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a city forged where the land rises and folds. At nearly a thousand feet above sea level, the air is different here, crisper, carrying the scent of pine from…
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Basilica of St. Andrew (Roanoke, Virginia)
· 0.6 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Feast your eyes on this architectural masterpiece, the Basilica of St. Andrew! It's more than just a pretty building; it's a symbol of Roanoke's growing Catholic community at the turn of the century. Construction on…
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Virginian Railway Passenger Station (Roanoke, Virginia)
· 0.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This isn't just another pretty building; it's a portal back to the roaring twenties when train travel was king. The Virginian Railway Passenger Station opened its doors in 1910, becoming the only brick station along the…
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Roanoke River and Railroad Historic District
· 0.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Ever wonder how Roanoke became a transportation hub? This area, the Roanoke River and Railroad Historic District, holds the key.The late 1800s and early 1900s saw massive industrial development here, all thanks to the…
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Buena Vista (Roanoke, Virginia)
· 1.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine life on this 1840 plantation, built in the Greek Revival style. This is Buena Vista, and for a time, it was home to George Plater Tayloe and his wife, Mary Langhorne Tayloe. George's family was quite prominent;…
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Mill Mountain Star
· 1.4 mi · Historical Marker
The world's largest freestanding illuminated man-made star, overlooking Roanoke from Mill Mountain since 1949.
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Roanoke Star
· 1.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Look up! That massive star isn't just for decoration; it's a symbol of Roanoke itself, visible for miles. In 1949, the local merchants association decided Roanoke needed a boost. They built the Roanoke Star on Mill…
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Colony House Motor Lodge
· 2.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over here for a minute; you've GOT to see this. This motor lodge is a time capsule of classic roadside Americana! Back in 1959, when car travel was king, the Colony House Motor Lodge opened its doors. It was built…
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The Coffee Pot (Roanoke, Virginia)
· 3.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over for a caffeine fix at a Roanoke landmark that's been brewing up smiles since the Great Depression! This isn't your average coffee shop; it's The Coffee Pot, a roadhouse topped with, you guessed it, a giant…
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Old Tombstone
· 4.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Right here in Hollins, Virginia, lies a testament to unique local artistry and remembrance. Old Tombstone, also known as the Denton Monument, is a folk art tombstone that stands out from the rest. Back in the mid-…
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Black Horse Tavern-Bellvue Hotel and Office
· 5.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine weary travelers in the late 1700s, finding refuge right here at the Black Horse Tavern. Built around 1782, the Black Horse Tavern was a vital stop for travelers making their way through the region. Later, the…
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Hollins University
· 5.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over for a sec, because this spot is a testament to the enduring power of women's education. Hollins University, founded as Valley Union Seminary in 1842, is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning for…
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Valley Railroad Bridge
· 6.0 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This historic limestone arch bridge, built in 1873, still stands as a testament to 19th-century engineering. It's called the Valley Railroad Bridge, or sometimes the Gish Branch Bridge. It was built by Claiborne Rice…
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Downtown Salem Historic District (Salem, Virginia)
· 6.4 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Hold on to your hats, RoadyGoat explorers, because this seemingly quiet downtown has witnessed centuries of change! Salem's historic district isn't just a collection of old buildings; it's a living timeline of the…
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Jubal A. Early House
· 8.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This unassuming home birthed a Confederate general who would become both feared and reviled. Jubal A. Early spent his childhood here, on his family's 4,000-acre tobacco plantation. Early went on to become a lawyer, and…
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Greenfield (Fincastle, Virginia)
· 11.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Pull over here for a minute, because this seemingly quiet spot holds a story of early Botetourt County and the complicated legacy of its prominent figures. This area was once part of Greenfield Plantation, established…
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The Homeplace: All-You-Can-Eat Fried Chicken Below McAfee Knob
· 12.1 mi
The Homeplace, at 4968 Catawba Valley Drive in Catawba, is the legendary all-you-can-eat, family-style farmhouse restaurant set in a white 1907 farmhouse in the Catawba Valley, directly below McAfee Knob, the most…
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Bryan McDonald Jr. House
· 12.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine witnessing the birth of a nation, right here in Botetourt County. The Bryan McDonald Jr. House, built around 1766, stands as a silent observer to centuries of American history. Bryan McDonald Jr. constructed…
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Bowstring Truss Bridge (Ironto, Virginia)
· 15.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb
This unassuming bridge tells a story of ingenuity and resilience. Built in 1878 by the King Bridge Company, this Bowstring Truss bridge, also called the King Tubular Arch Truss Bridge, was a marvel of its time. It…
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Booker T. Washington National Monument
· 15.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine being born into slavery, yet rising to become a national leader. That's the incredible story connected to this very spot. Here, on a 1850s tobacco farm in Franklin County, Virginia, Booker T. Washington was born…
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Blue Ridge Hall
· 16.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine weary travelers stopping at this historic stagecoach hotel along the Shenandoah Valley's main road. Blue Ridge Hall, built around 1836, was once a vital stop for those journeying through the valley. This…
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Rocky Mount Historic District
· 19.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Step back in time as we explore the Rocky Mount Historic District, a treasure trove of architecture and stories! This district showcases Rocky Mount's evolution from the early 1800s through the early 1900s, encompassing…
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Washington Iron Furnace
· 19.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb
Imagine a time when this quiet spot was buzzing with activity, helping to build a nation. The Washington Iron Furnace, built around 1770, was a vital part of early industry in Franklin County, Virginia. This furnace was…