Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 06/16/2011
NRHP Listing Date 01/03/2012
NRHP Reference Number 11000984
The Wasena Historic District is an early-20th-century residential suburb of Roanoke developed by a private land company as improvements in bridge connections and public transportation made former farmland accessible to downtown. The introduction of the first bus route in the city was prompted by the development of the suburb, making Wasena Roanoke’s first “bus suburb.” The neighborhood reflects the city’s population growth and the increase in home ownership, particularly after World War II when veterans could purchase homes through loans supported by the GI Bill. The district boasts a wide range of 20th-century residential architecture including Craftsman bungalows, American Foursquare, Tudor-Revival, Cape Cod, and Ranch style houses. Located along the Roanoke River and the railroad tracks, the Wasena neighborhood includes industrial, commercial, and recreational resources that supported the community.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: August 6, 2021
