City Directories and History: The Reese Madison Roark home was built around 1920 on West Pine Street. Roark, a prominent farmer in the Antioch Community, had acquired a great deal of wealth over the years and decided to move to Blacksburg and build a sizable home, just next to the Jacob B. Ross Home. However, he would only be able to enjoy the home for five short years. His son, Finley Roark, would later operate a meat market downtown.
The YV Enquirer reported on Feb. 3, 1892 – “Ellis, Roark and Co., a new firm for general merchandise, has opened in one of the Iron City Hotel’s store rooms.” (It appears this is the same Mr. Roark but R&R.com is not certain.)
In the 1960’s and 1970’s, the home was occupied by G.W. ‘Dub’ Blanton, a former mayor and fire chief in the town.
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