Gainsboro, Roanoke, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gainsboro
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The Hotel Roanoke has been in Gainsboro since 1882.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| City | Roanoke |
| Elevation | 958 ft (292 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
24016
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| Area code(s) | 540 |
Gainsboro is a neighborhood in Roanoke, Virginia. It is located in the center of Roanoke, just north of the downtown area. It sits between Interstate 581 and Orange Avenue.
Gainsboro shares borders with several other neighborhoods. To the west, it meets Harrison and Gilmer. Washington Park is to the north, and Williamson Road is to the east. Downtown Roanoke is to the south. In the year 2000, about 967 people lived in Gainsboro.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
How Gainsboro Began
Gainsboro started as a settlement called Gainesborough in 1835. It was developed by William Rowland. This made Gainesborough the oldest town in the Roanoke Valley. The town was named after Major Kemp Gaines, who helped start and fund the village. After 1852, the settlement moved a bit to the southwest. This happened when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad arrived and the town of Big Lick was created nearby.
Growing as a Community
Between the 1850s and 1880s, the area that became Gainsboro was known as Old Lick. It grew into a community mainly for African-American people. In 1882, Old Lick and Big Lick officially joined together to form the city of Roanoke. Most of the buildings you see in Gainsboro today were built between 1890 and 1940. During this time, Gainsboro became the main center for Roanoke's African American community. Henry Street was especially important as its cultural and business hub.
Changes Over Time
In the 1960s and 1970s, programs called urban renewal changed the neighborhood a lot. Many families and businesses had to move. This changed the look and feel of the area. Today, Gainsboro is seeing new development, especially near the Hotel Roanoke. The Gainsboro Neighborhood Alliance was started in the 1970s. It works to support and advocate for the community.
Historic Places in Gainsboro
Several important places in Gainsboro are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Burrell Memorial Hospital, the Gainsboro Historic District, and the Gainsboro Branch of the Roanoke City Public Library. The Henry Street Historic District is also on the list. The First Baptist Church was once here but was destroyed by a fire in 1995.
Notable People and Places
Gainsboro is home to some famous places and has been the home of important people.
- Hotel Roanoke: A well-known hotel that has been in Gainsboro since 1882.
- Roanoke Catholic School: A school located in the neighborhood.
- Edward R. Dudley: He was the first African American United States ambassador. An ambassador is a diplomat who represents their country in another country.
- Oliver Hill: A civil rights lawyer who worked on the important Brown v. Board of Education case. This case helped end segregation in schools.
- Lucy Addison: An educator who worked hard to make sure Roanoke's first high school for African American students received full accreditation.
