Roanoke Star Keepsake

The Roanoke Star is a beloved icon in our community. Now you can bring home a mini version to enjoy year round. This keepsake also makes a great gift!

Did you know...

At 8:22 p.m. on November 23, 1949, Roanoke Mayor A.R. Minton threw a switch and illuminated the Roanoke Star for the first time.

It was more than 50 years ago that Roanoke earned the nickname “Star City of the South,” and the star has been a part of the landscape of Mill Mountain ever since.

Why was the "Star" constructed in the first place?

The purpose for erecting the star was to serve as a seasonal Christmas decoration to shine over the city during the brisk holiday shopping season of 1949. The project was sponsored by the Roanoke Merchants Association. The original plan was to dismantle the Star when the holiday season ended.

Roy C. Kinsey, then owner of Kinsey Sign Co., built it along with his three sons, Roy Jr., Bob, and Warren. Bob and Warren designed and built the neon tubing still used today.

The Star is actually three stars—a small star in the center, enveloped by a larger, mid-sized frame, then surrounded by the largest outer frame. Each frame contains three to five sets of clear neon tubes. It is considered the world’s largest freestanding, illuminated, man-made star.

Star Facts:
Height - 88.5 feet
Weight - 10,000 lbs
Height above sea level - 1,847 feet
Height above city - 1,045 feet
Visibility from air - 60 miles
Cost to build - $28,000
Illuminated by - 2,000 feet of neon tubing

The star remains white year-round but is illuminated red, white, and blue on the following days as a tribute and sign of patriotism: Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, September 11, and Veteran's Day.