Roanoke

Roanoke (pop. 224,477), industrial, trade, transportation, and medical center, and one of the largest cities in Virginia. Roanoke comes from the Indian word Rawenoke, meaning shell money. Schools in Roanoke include Hollins College, Roanoke College, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. The Norfolk and Western Railroad and the Appalachian Power Co. have headquarters there. Roanoke was also the childhood home of black educator Booker T. Washington. Settled in 1881 as Big Lick and renamed Roanoke in 1882, it has a council-manager form of government.

See also: Virginia.