Old Southwest, Roanoke, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Old Southwest
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Gateway signage along Elm Avenue
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| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| City | Roanoke |
| Elevation | 1,004 ft (306 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 3,628 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
24016
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| Area code(s) | 540 |
| Website | Old Southwest, Inc. |
Old Southwest is a cool neighborhood in the city of Roanoke, Virginia, in the United States. It's located right in the middle of the city. This area became part of Roanoke in 1890. It was once a very nice place to live. Today, most of Old Southwest is a special historic district. This means its old buildings and unique feel are protected.
Contents
Where is Old Southwest?
Old Southwest is easy to find in Roanoke. The city says it's bordered by Jefferson Street on the east and 10th Street on the west. To the south, you'll find the Norfolk and Western railroad tracks. Day Avenue and Marshall Avenue are to the north.
This neighborhood is surrounded by other parts of Roanoke. It's next to Mountain View and Wasena on the west. To the south and east, it borders South Jefferson. Downtown is to the north and east, and West End is to the north.
A Look at Old Southwest's History
Old Southwest was added to the city of Roanoke in 1890. Most of the buildings you see there today were built between 1882 and 1930. This area grew southwest of Downtown Roanoke.
Buildings and Styles
The neighborhood is mostly homes. You'll find shops and businesses mainly along Franklin Road. Old Southwest has many different kinds of architecture. Some popular styles include:
- Queen Anne
- Colonial Revival
- Neoclassical
- Bungalow
- American Foursquare
- Arts and Crafts
- Shingle style
The neighborhood is also home to Highland Park. This was Roanoke's very first public park. It opened way back in 1901.
Growth and Comeback
Old Southwest became one of Roanoke's best places to live. This lasted from its early days until after World War Two. Then, it started to decline a bit. But by the 1970s, the neighborhood began to get better. In 1985, it became the Southwest Historic District.
Today, many historic buildings are carefully kept in good shape. One example is the Beth Israel Synagogue.
Recent Improvements
New things have also come to Old Southwest. In May 2009, Highland Park got a new dog park. This was Roanoke's first fenced park where dogs could run without a leash. Also, the Cotton Mill downtown housing project opened, bringing more homes to the area.
Community Spirit and Awards
The neighborhood has a non-profit group called Old Southwest, Inc. This group helps make the neighborhood a great place to live. They have won several national awards for their work.
In 2010, they won the Grand Prize National Neighborhood of the Year award. They also got First Place in the Social Revitalization category from Neighborhoods USA. Before that, in 2008, they won a second-place award in the same category. These awards show how much the community works together!
