Photos from the Virginia Housing Authority
These photographs are from the files of the Virginia Housing Authority. They show many aspects of urban development, from the neighborhood in North East Roanoke that no longer exists to the housing build for displaced residents. The houses show here were probably on McDowell Avenue, they are shown not long before being torn down in the late 1960s.
The street corner shown at right would have been McDowell and Kimball. Roanoke World News writer and Roanoke historian Raymond Barnes wrote about the building on the corner. It was refered to as Red Row and the hill behind Red Row was called Possom Trot Hill.
Photograph of poorly maintained house, either located in Gainsboro or North East Roanoke..
Industry and four lane roads were built through the old neighborhood.
Magic City Ford was one of the new prominent businesses built during the urban renewal process.
One of many churches torn down during the urban renewal process.
New homes built in Gainsboro for displaced residents.
The Holiday Inn built on the corner of Orange Ave and Williamson has long since been torn down.
Notice that the city had done very little to improve conditions over the years, no sidewalks.
Housing plans for displaced residents, po.
It's difficult to verify the location of many of the images, this could be in Gainsboro or North East during urban renewal..
North East after the urban renewal process had been completed.
Children taking part in a Virginia Housing Authority activity.
Gainsboro during urban renewal.
Roanoke Civic Center not long after completion.
Virginia Housing Authority meeting.
Roanoke's first post office was located at the corner of Williamson Rd and Orange Ave. It was torn down during urban renewal.
Another photograph during the urban renewal of the late 1960s. Notice that Issac Hayes is due to appear at the new civic center.
New housing for displaced residents, appears to be Hurt Park.
Kids playing in park.
Newly developed housing.
Cerimonial dig for new housing.
Resident in new housing.
Resident in new housing.
Resident in new housing.
Resident in new housing.
Resident in new housing.
Resident in new housing.