Founded as Big Lick in 1874, the Star City, as we call Roanoke today, began as a railway hub nestled in a valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains midway between Maryland and Tennessee. Since 1884, when Roanoke became an independent city, the area has seen the rise and fall of many railroads, including the Virginia and Tennessee Railway, the Mississippi and Ohio Railroad, the Shenandoah Valley Railroad, the Norfolk and Western Railway, and the Virginian Railway. Although Roanoke is still very much a railroad town, ironically we have no passenger rail service today. As of the 2000 census, the city of Roanoke's population reached over 95,000.

Roanoke is still the cultural and economic center of Southwest Virginia. The city offers a unique combination of qualities that makes it a highly desirable place in which to live. The Roanoke Valley Greenways, a series of walking and bike paths snaking throughout Roanoke, Vinton, Roanoke County, and Salem, give us plenty of opportunities for fun and exercise out of doors. With hiking, camping, boating, and fishing nearby, and over two-thirds of the population of the entire United States located within 500 miles of us, Roanoke is ideally situated geographically for nature lovers, families, the business minded, and world travelers. Families with young children will appreciate the 58 parks and plazas located throughout our city, and folks of all ages will enjoy Roanoke's downtown, historic market area with its bustling commerce, cafes, restaurants, festivals, theater, opera, and arts scene.

Roanoke is no longer the best kept secret on the East Coast. In fact, national publications have named Roanoke one of the best cities for many reasons for several years running. Below is a sampling of the latest Roanoke accolades:

	Named the most affordable housing market in Virginia by the National Association of Home Builders.
	Five-time winner of the National Civic League's All-America City Award.
	Rated one of the top 10 healthiest places in the nation by Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine.
	Partners for Livable Communities named Roanoke one of the America's most liveable cities for striking a balance between business development and the natural environment.
	Named the second-best metro area in the county in which to retire in the fifth edition of the Retirement Places Rated Almanac, based on climate, cost of living, health care, and a low crime rate.
	Delicious Living magazine called Roanoke an impressive city for its environmental friendliness in 2006.
	The Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission was named the top organization in the 2003 Environmental Stewardship Awards.
	Named one of the top 100 hot spots for business development by Inc. magazine.
	The Department of Education recognized Roanoke Valley schools as among the nation's best.
	Southern Business & Development rated Downtown Roanoke as one of the best downtowns in the South.
	Named one of the 10 best places to raise a family in the U.S. by Parenting magazine.
	Ranked 11th Best City in the U.S. for 2004.
	Named one of America's most livable communities in 2004.
	Voted the the third best small southern city in which to live by Money magazine.
	Named America's top digital city in 2001, 2002, and 2003.
	Roanoke's Center in the Square was recognized as the top downtown economic development project in the world by the International Downtown Association (IDA).