Noke Novelties are interesting aspects, picturesque moments, and other quaint nuances of or about the Roanoke area.

During my travels and as gathering information for another future post, I came upon this marker at the corner of Colonial Avenue and McNeil Drive (which borders a side of Virginia Western Community College).

I’m not sure when the small marker was established, but I don’t remember seeing it during my years as a student at VWCC.

The marker is for Samuel P. McNeil, and it also gives explanation behind his involvement in area which resulted in the nearby road with the same name.

It reads:

McNeil Drive is named in honor of Samuel P. McNeil, the leading sponser and founder of WBRA and educational television for the City of Roanoke and Southwest Virginia. Mr. McNeil served as chairman of WBRA for 25 years from its beginning in 1966 until he retired in 1992. He was a co-founder of the local chapter of the fellowship of Christian athletes. He also served as chairman of the Roanoke City School Board from 1970 to 1976.

And at the end of McNeil Drive is the entrance to Blue Ridge PBS, which serves Roanoke as WBRA-TV.

Entrance to Blue Ridge PBS at the end of McNeil Drive

I think Roanoke is fortunate to have such programming options. And I do remember watching television shows on this station while growing up and, if I ever have children, I would encourage them to do the same.