Roanoke Downtown Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Why it's listed
Four buildings on the south side of the 300 block of Salem Avenue SW, in Roanoke, Virginia, were added to the Roanoke Downtown Historic District in a half-acre boundary increase. Built between about 1906 and 1938 of brick or brick-veneered masonry block, they include a one-story former electric motor repair shop, a two-story sheet metal building with a large arched opening, a one-story upholstery repair shop, and the three-story Peerless Candy Company, a wholesale candy factory active from about 1916 into the early 1950s. Two are counted as contributing; the two others carry modern glass facades that may be removable. The block changed from frame dwellings into brick stores, factories, and warehouses linked to downtown commerce and the nearby railroad. The group was added because it matches the commercial character of the downtown district and falls within its period of significance, for its role in the city's commercial and industrial development and its architecture.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · catalog entry. Generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29).
| Period of significance | 1906-1952 |
|---|---|
| Styles | Commercial, Other |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Boundary source | NPS cultural-resource GIS polygon |
| Full listing page | Roanoke Downtown Historic District (Boundary Increase) (property record) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.