Visible from over 60 miles away, the Roanoke Star sits atop of Mill Mountain in Roanoke, Virginia. This visibility during the day or not is part of the reason that the world’s largest freestanding illuminated man-made star has become a means of identity for residents that attract visitors from all over It showcases what it can mean for a monument to compel engagement with audiences of all types.
“Star City of the South”
Created as a symbol of the progressive spirit of Roanoke, the Star was initially designed to be a Christmas decoration that would only be lit during the holiday season. Sponsored by the Roanoke Merchants Association, a formal lighting ceremony held in 1949 would just be the beginning. The popularity of the star saw it turn into a permanent feature of the city.
The Star itself is actually three stars, as there is a small star in the center that is surrounded by two other larger stars of the same shape. Each frame contains three to five sets of clear neon tubes. The entire structure is nearly 90 feet height and sits 1,000 feet above the city, and nearly 2,000 feet above sea level.
Originally all white, the Star has been lit red, white a blue and in different ways for special occasions. It is set to remain white year-round but is illuminated red, white, and blue on certain days as a tribute and sign of patriotism.
Illuminated every night until midnight, the Roanoke Star is the main reason that Roanoke has become known as the “Star City of the South”. However, the Star is just one of the attractions that visitors can engage with atop and around Mill Mountain.
Activities and an Incredible Overlook of the Blue Ridge Region
The scenic overlook at the bottom of the Roanoke Star provides an incredible view of the surrounding Blue Ridge region. There are multiple platforms that visitors can utilize at different times of the day to capture completely different perspectives of the area.
Mill Mountain Park itself offers hikers a great variety of options with over 12 miles of trails. That includes the Star Trail, which traverses from Roanoke River to summit of Mill Mountain and the Roanoke Star. Big Sunny Trail and Riser Trail are just a couple of the other trail options for hikers.
Mill Mountain is also home to the Mill Mountain Zoo and Discovery Center, two great resources with a variety of fun, educational activities for kids. The area also contains a variety of pavilions and playgrounds to provide visitors with recreational options that they can enjoy in whatever way they desire.
These attractions and activities would capture the attention of audiences regardless of what else was around, but the Roanoke Star has provided people with something specific that can become an essential part of their trip. That means of identity has allowed it to become a highlight of maps of the region and also be utilized in various ways across Roanoke and beyond.
A Powerful Means of Identity
The Roanoke Star is one of the most photographed attractions in the area. It has also proven to be a powerful means of identity for many throughout the community, being featured in logos for businesses. It has also been incorporated into numerous items for sale.
Signs across the city guide visitors to the Mill Mountain Zoo & Star, while the star design is a prominent feature on these signs as well as others. The city of Roanoke has also incorporated a star into their logo.
These examples illustrate how the Roanoke Star has provided the entire city with an identity that can be utilized in countless ways by residents. It has also created a symbol that captures the interest of visitors. In doing so, the Roanoke Star highlights what it can mean for a monument to spur and drive the attention of audiences of all types.
Synonymous with the Blue Ridge Region
Serving as a beacon for residents and as a welcome sign to visitors, the Roanoke Star has become synonymous with the Blue Ridge region as a whole. Like other notable landmarks, the Roanoke Star has been utilized in small and large ways to provide the city of Roanoke and all of Virginia with an identity that has created a positive impact on the economy and culture in countless ways.
