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The Roanoke Times l File 1907

Firemen are seen on the hose-drying tower on the Luck Avenue side of Roanoke's Fire Station No. 1. In 1910, the fire chief received funds to remodel the hose tower into a fire drill tower so firemen could practice using scaling ladders, fire hooks and working with the hook and ladder truck.

2000 (10 years ago)

"Sometimes, police presence isn't enough to deter crime. Such was the case in Northwest Roanoke on Monday night as police officers watched a man run a red light, smash into a car, then try to run from them -- all while they were investigating another car accident."

"The city of Roanoke announced the end of all water restrictions Wednesday, exactly one year since they were first instituted due to an unprecedented drought."

"There is one sophomore on the Associated Press All-Group AAA boys' basketball team, and he plays for Cave Spring High School. J.J. Redick, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard, was chosen for the AP first team announced Thursday."

"In Japan, it seems, Cameron Johnson is somewhat of a celebrity. By the end of his first trip to Tokyo last month, people were waving to the 15-year-old Roanoke entrepreneur in the streets."

25 years ago (1985)

"The Northwest Roanoke neighborhood is one of five finalists for neighborhood of the year in America."

"Debbie Reynolds came 'home' to Roanoke for two shows at the Civic Center on Saturday, and if the audience reaction at the first was any measure of the way her new neighbors feel about her, she can relax, for she is loved."

"While it hardly could be called showcase trout water ... the Roanoke River, smack in the middle of Roanoke City, suddenly and magically became a trout fishing stream at the stroke of noon Saturday."

"There will not be any parades or formal balls to celebrate, but Roanoke is in the midst of its official Egg Salad Week, proclaimed by Mayor Noel C. Taylor and City Clerk Mary Parker."

50 years ago (1960)

"Poll workers were among the loneliest people in Roanoke today."

"Salem residents will have to begin keeping their chickens or other fowl in pens."

" 'No comment' was the standard reply to queries today about the possibility that Roanoke Negroes might join a nationwide picketing of F. W. Woolworth stores on Saturday."

"That record-breaking snow of last winter may give City Council a headache Monday. Council will be told then that the cost of snow and ice removal was $92,870."

"Long-awaited final plans for the Shrine Hill site high school got the City School Board's unanimous approval last night."

"The five Hoffman brothers left the hospital today minus five sets of tonsils."

"A goal of $400,000 for the development of Camp Powhatan was announced Saturday by the Blue Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America."

75 years ago (1935)

"The conversion of the Roanoke Mutual Building and Loan Association, Inc. into the First Federal Savings and Loan Association for Roanoke was announced yesterday."

"The sun, the wind and the rain played major roles today in the case of the Weather vs. the Beginning of Roanoke College Spring Sports."

"A big game is promised Roanoke on April 25, when the New York Black Yankees ... will play in Roanoke against a Roanoke all-star colored team."

"At least two of the golf courses here are verging on becoming marsh land as the rain continues, and the grumbling to be heard in locker rooms as a result isn't fit to be heard."

"Roanokers whose alcoholic adventures ended in Police court started out during the first quarter of this year with the apparent aim to equal or better last year's record of 2,771 arrests for drunkenness."

100 years ago (1910)

"John Watson, of Radford, was fined $50 in police court this morning ... for having had a concealed weapon in the shape of a pistol."

"The latest step the police have taken toward putting a stop to the speeding of automobiles on the streets of the city is an arrangement whereby within the next few days a squad of bicycle police ... will be put to work."

"The Roanoke Club lost yesterday afternoon to the New York Yanigans by the close score of 1 to 0."

"The city of Roanoke is to receive soon a drinking fountain from the National Humane Alliance, to be presented free of cost. ... The fountain, which will supply horses and smaller animals with drinking water, is of Maine granite."

"Chief of Fire Department McFall is going to put the members of his department through a school of athletics which will make them qualified to do stunts like the Darwinian man."

"The passenger depot of the Virginian railroad will be open to the public April 15th."

"Thirteen aldermen last night, despite the hoodoo number, got together and in a busy session made new laws for the benefit of the city."

"Wending their way to Roanoke from Winston-Salem on horseback are Mr. and Mrs. Medill McCormick, of Chicago, both owners of millions of dollars in their own rights."

"A rumor lacking in verification is going the rounds of the commercial world that the old cold storage plant on Campbell avenue, just east of Market square, is to be converted into a shoe factory."