Town of Vinton, Virginia
Information, Statistics, and History

LOCATION

The Town of Vinton is located in Roanoke County, and is bordered on its western and northern limits by the City of Roanoke. To the east lie Roanoke County and the Blue Ridge Parkway, and to the south is the Roanoke River.

SMALL TOWN ATMOSPHERE

The Town of Vinton provides small town character with urban services and amenities located nearby. The small town atmosphere is characterized by a low crime rate, small locally and regionally owned businesses, and moderately priced homes. Views of the mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway abound. Vinton represents the ideal type of community, small enough to provide a feeling of  “belonging”, yet progressive enough to provide the facilities, services, and conveniences that are necessary to make a community “home” to its citizens.

ELECTED GOVERNING BODY

The Town of Vinton is chartered (Click Here to View the Town of Vinton Charter) as a Council-Manager form of government by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The elected governing body for the Town itself is comprised of a Mayor and four Council Members. The Council appoints a Chief Administrative Officer to oversee the daily operations of Town services. The Town Manager has the authority to fill and supervise department head positions, who in turn manage the employees under their supervision. Additionally, the Town of Vinton is a part of Roanoke County, and is represented on the Board of Supervisors by the Vinton Magisterial District Representative.

GAIN SHARING

The Town of Vinton and Roanoke County share a special relationship that strengthens the delivery of services to both Town and County residents. The Town of Vinton provides enhanced service levels for Police, Fire and EMS, Public Works/Streets, and Planning and Zoning. The Town also provides water and sewer services to its residents, as well as the residents of East Roanoke County. In turn, Roanoke County provides excellent schools, courts, libraries, social services, and parks and recreation to the residents of the Town. Additionally, the Town of Vinton and Roanoke County are partners in a gain sharing agreement. The agreement is based upon the principal that each benefits from the gain of the other. The Town and County have agreed to share financially in the planning and development of East Roanoke County. Presently, the Town and County are developing a 100 acre tract of land in East Roanoke County to become the Vinton Business Center. The joint effort provides the community with an opportunity to develop the Center with a sensitivity to the impact on adjoining properties.

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A Brief History

Vinton's history began long before the Town was chartered in 1884. The Town can trace its heritage back to the mid-1700's when the area was first settled and even farther back in time when the area was part of an Indian trail which led to the Carolinas. Settlers began moving into the Roanoke Valley area in the mid-1700's to take advantage of the fertile land and abundant water supply.

Some of the early settlers in the Vinton area were Jacob Vinyard, John McAdoo, Christian Gish and his brother David Gish. The Gish brothers established a grist mill on Glade Creek in 1797 and this led to the first "official" name for the Vinton area--Gish's Mill. During the early years of the mill, Roanoke County was formed (in 1838) and Gish's Mill became a part of the County.

As the railroad expanded into the Roanoke Valley, Gish's Mill became a flag stop for the Atlantic, Mississippi, & Ohio Railroad. Initially, Gish's Depot was nothing more than a small box car, but after the Civil War the railroad company constructed a more substantial depot building. During the early post-Civil War period, only a few families lived in the general area. The Vinyard Family owned much of the land on which the Town of Vinton now stands. However, over the years other families settled around Gish's Depot. Some of the early families to settle in this area were the Jones, Funks, Pollards, Pedigos, Walkers, McLeans, and the Basses.

In the late 1870's and early 1880's, the Gish Family led a movement to establish a town at the depot site. During this period, the boundaries for the Town were delineated, individual building lots were platted and sold, and a school house was constructed. New construction occurring in Roanoke City (chartered in 1882) was causing an influx of people into the Gish's Mill area. A mass meeting was held in the early months of 1883 to consider the question of incorporation. Incorporation was supported at the meeting and several suggestions for the name of the Town were proposed. The group adopted the name "Vinton". There are two possible explanations as to the origin of this name. The first explanation is that the "Vin" in the name came from the first part of the Vinyard family name, while the "ton" came from the last part of the name of another local family--the Prestons. The second explanation indicates that Vinton was an old Indian name suggested by one of the community leaders, B. A. Jones, because it "sounded pretty".

The Town of Vinton was incorporated by the Virginia General Assembly on March 17, 1884, with a population of 584 and a land area of 1.5 square miles. Following incorporation, Vinton experienced continued development. Much of the development in the Town resulted from the spin-off of economic growth occurring in Roanoke. The economic and social linkages formed between Roanoke and Vinton in the late 1800's have continued through to the present.

During the late 1880's, a number of land companies were formed: the Pedigo Addition; the Vinton Land, Loan, and Building Company; the Aetna Land Company; the Glade Land Company; and the Midway Land Company. Much of the existing farm land was made available for development, and much land speculation occurred during this period in the Town's history. Fortunes were made and lost in the course of a few months. After a number of "boom" years, the intense speculation subsided. Land and housing costs were greatly reduced. Many of the families who purchased the low-cost properties were employees of the Norfolk & Western Railway Company. It was at this time that Vinton became known as the "working man's town".

As the population expanded, a demand for new services was evidenced. The first weekly newspaper, the Vinton Dispatch, was established in 1889. Religious denominations grew as the population increased. Initially, the Methodists were the only denomination having a place of worship; however, over the years Lutherans, Baptists, Presbyterians, and other denominations also constructed churches.

Vinton's business and industrial character has changed slowly since the turn of the century. For the most part, Vinton residents have relied fairly heavily on the availability of employment in Roanoke; however, several large business concerns have been established in and near the Town, and these industries have been positive factors in Vinton's history by supporting Vinton's economic base. In 1917, the American Viscose Plant opened near Vinton, providing many job opportunities for residents. Unfortunately, the Viscose Plant closed in the 1950's. Burlington Mills, now known as Precision Fabrics Group Inc., was established in the Town in 1936. Gish's Mill, the "original" industry in Vinton, was refurbished many times over the years and in 1946 changed its name to Vinton Milling Company. The Vinton Fuel Company was another early industry in Vinton. Southern States Cooperative established their Mill in Vinton in 1937. Several new commercial enterprises have located in Vinton within the last few decades. Much of this new commercial growth has been centered along Hardy Road. In 1985, Town officials used state, local, and private funds to establish a 30-acre Industrial Park in south Vinton, which has further expanded the economic tax base.

The community pride that has existed in the Town since its inception is still evident. The Vinton Dogwood Festival, which originated in the late 1950's, provides an opportunity for Town residents to show off their community to people throughout this region who visit the Town during the week-long celebration.

The Vinton War Memorial, constructed in 1948, is another focal point for the community. It was constructed to recognize the sacrifice of Vinton's citizens during World War II. On its fiftieth anniversary, in 1998, it was re-dedicated to recognize the sacrifices of Vinton's citizens not only during World War II, but during all post-World War II conflicts. The War Memorial is a place where civic groups hold their meetings and where Town residents and others from the Roanoke Valley area can gather to discuss local issues or celebrate special events.

The friendly spirit and concern for community, which have been the hallmarks of this western Virginia town from its earliest days, remain an important element of Vinton.