• A black and white photo of a large, multi-story building on a city street with trolley wires overhead and people walking.

    1890

    The original structure at the corner of 2nd street and Campbell Avenue was built and named the Trout House, a 5-story hotel. It capitalized on its construction directly above the underground spring of Lick Run. Allegedly, owners stocked the spring with trout and served them in the hotel restaurant. In the 1920’s, owners expanded with a 6-story addition along Campbell Avenue.

  • Black and white photo of a multi-story building at a street corner with cars and pedestrians in front.

    1930

    Ultimately, a fire destroyed the original 5-story segment in 1930. An 8-story tower was constructed, adjoining the 6-story section that withstood the fire, and the new hotel was named the Ponce de Leon. Designed with lavish interior and geometric architecture patterns, this structure exemplified art deco motifs that were popular in America at the time.

  • A large, multi-story brick building with a flat roof and multiple windows, situated on a city street with cars parked along the sidewalk.

    1970s

    During the 1970’s, the Ponce de Leon transformed from a hotel into an office building under new ownership. Growing demands of what had become Downtown Roanoke’s business district necessitated the operational shift. At this point, much of its characteristic design was covered or repurposed, in favor of simpler commercial features.

  • A tall white building with multiple black windows at the intersection of two streets. The building is situated on a busy city corner with a traffic light, crosswalks, and a person walking on the sidewalk. Clear blue sky overhead.

    Present Day

    The Ponce de Leon is now revived as a mixed-use property offering apartments and commercial space. Historic elements from the 1930’s building have been recovered and restored.

Color postcard of Hotel Ponce de Leon in Roanoke, Virginia, featuring images of the hotel exterior, the mezzanine lounge with seating, and the lobby area with arches and seating.
A vintage postcard of the Ponce de Leon Hotel in Roanoke, Virginia, showing a multi-story brick building with many windows, cars parked in front, and a red and black border design.
A vintage brochure featuring a hotel in Roanoke, Virginia, with maps, interior rooms, and exterior views.
A vintage photograph of the Ponce de Leon Hotel in Roanoke, Virginia. The hotel is a tall, multi-story building with a beige brick facade, numerous windows, and a vertical sign that reads 'HOTEL.' There are cars parked and driving on the street in fr
Vintage postcard of the Ponce de Leon Hotel in Roanoke, Virginia, depicting a large brick building with multiple windows and cars parked outside.
Illustrated postcard of the Ponce de Leon Hotel in Roanoke, Virginia, showing a large multi-story brick building with a corner entrance, several windows, and cars parked along the street.