The Roanoker - January/February 2017 - 17
STREETS OF ROANOKE Kroger It was succeeded here by Thriftway and then Roanoke Natural GEORGE DAVIS PHOTO COURTESY ROANOKE CITY LIBRARY VIRGINIA ROOM Foods Co-op. First National Exchange Bank Sign fronts the spot where Too Many Books and Starlight Bikes are now. GEORGE DAVIS PHOTO COURTESY ROANOKE CITY LIBRARY VIRGINIA ROOM have a brick house and a small spring-fed pond. All this began to change beginning in the 1920s and '30s. When the residential section that encompasses Grandin Road was annexed into the city in 1919, there was only one business on Grandin Road-Reynolds Grocery at the southeast corner of Grandin and Memorial (then Virginia Avenue). The popularity of the new homes in Virginia Heights and Raleigh Court, however, created a demand for small businesses, and by 1929 the commercial village had taken shape. Homes had been razed, as grocers, druggists, small restaurants and a filling station became the hub of activity on Grandin Road; 16 businesses in all including a barber shop, tea room, ice cream parlor, plus two churches. The most defining change to Grandin Road came on March 26, 1932, when the Community Theatre Corporation opened the Grandin Theatre with the film "Arrowsmith," starring Helen Hayes. The movie house with its Spanish-themed interior remains the only grand movie palace left in Roanoke. As one moves south on Grandin Road beyond the commercial village to its intersection with Brandon Avenue, grand homes line the street, all part of the vision of the early real estate developers. In fact, THEROANOKER.COM here is found what is closer to the original intent for Grandin Road-stately homes with expansive lots beckoning the upper and middle classes to live on wide, wellplanned streets. Some of Roanoke's most prominent business and civic leaders built large residences that remain today. Among them were C.E. Michaels, president of Virginia Bridge and Iron Company, who erected a Colonial-Revival home in 1913 (1731 Grandin); the "Ring House" built in 1925 for Michael Ring, president of Roanoke City Mills (1812 Grandin); E.H. Ould of First National Exchange Bank had his 1930 Italian Renaissance home (1902 Grandin); and Morton Turner, president of American National Bank had built in 1928 a Colonial Revival home (1930 Grandin). By the early 1930s, Grandin Road boasted some of Roanoke's finest residences. SIGNIFICANCE Grandin Road looks much the same as it did a half-century ago. The small businesses in the "village" thrive amongst a socially and economically diverse residential section. The grand homes noted above remain as single-family residences and are just one or two blocks from older apartment buildings with residents from many place in the world. The residents and small businesses are as diverse as the architecture and activity that marks Grandin Road and the neighborhoods it connects. Little wonder that city officials often bring economic development prospects to Grandin Road to help showcase the best of city living. WHAT HAPPENED? The 1970s marked a low ebb for the Grandin Road community. The Grandin Theatre had dimmed its marquee, several store fronts were vacant, and some of the adjacent housing stock had been multiplexed in a misguided strategy to maintain population. Through the dedicated efforts of residents, an engaged civic league and city officials, a neighborhood plan was developed that sought to reverse those trends. Over time, the initiatives proved effective, culminating in the Grandin Theatre being re-opened and owned by a non-profit foundation and becoming the centerpiece of the Grandin Village once again. Today, Grandin Road is what was envisioned over a century ago-a central street anchoring and promoting a healthy, sustainable neighborhood and commercial center. A "splendid subdivision" indeed! -NELSON HARRIS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 | 17