Elliston, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elliston, Virginia
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Welcome signage along U.S. 11
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 Elliston, Virginia
Location in Virginia
Elliston, Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | Montgomery |
| Elevation | 1,263 ft (385 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 902 |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
24087
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| Area code(s) | 540 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1494218 |
Elliston is a small community in Montgomery County, Virginia. It's called a census-designated place (CDP) because it's an area defined by the government for counting people, but it's not an officially incorporated town. In 2010, about 902 people lived there.
Elliston is located in the southwestern part of Virginia. It sits between the larger city of Roanoke and the town of Christiansburg. The community has a small fire department, an elementary school, and a few local spots like gas stations and churches. Many people who live in Elliston travel to nearby larger towns for work.
About Elliston
The community of Elliston is split by railroad tracks, which separate the northwestern part from the rest. A main road, US Highway 11-460, further divides the area into two distinct neighborhoods.
- Oldtown: This part of Elliston formed along an old road called the Valley Road in the 1850s.
- The Brake: This area developed after the American Civil War. It was mainly home to African-American families.
A Look at History
Elliston was originally known as Big Spring. It became an important stopping point for trains on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. Later, it was a key stop for the Norfolk and Western Railway.
In the late 1880s, some investors had big dreams for Elliston. They hoped to turn it into a large industrial and railroad center. They even planned to call it "Carnegie City." However, the railroad company decided to build its main workshops somewhere else. They chose a place called Big Lick in Roanoke County, which later grew into the city of Roanoke.
Important Old Buildings
Several historic buildings and areas in Elliston are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their historical importance and are protected. These include:
- The Barnett House
- The Big Spring Baptist Church
- The Pompey Callaway House
- Fotheringay
- The Madison Farm Historic and Archeological District
