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World's largest freestanding illuminated man-made star, world record in Roanoke, Virginia

May 21, 2024

Roanoke, Virginia, United States--The Roanoke Star, also known as the Mill Mountain Star, was constructed at the top of Mill Mountain in Roanoke, Virginia, by the local merchants association to draw publicity and trade to the city; it stands 88.5 feet (27.0 m) tall and weighs 60,000 pounds (27,000 kg), rests 846 feet (258 m) above the city of Roanoke, and is visible for 60 miles (97 km) from the air, setting the world record for being the World's largest freestanding illuminated man-made star, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

Photos: World's largest freestanding illuminated man-made star, world record in Roanoke, Virginia

(1-9) Facebook/City of Roanoke, Virginia - Government

"The Roanoke Star, also known as the Mill Mountain Star, is the world's largest freestanding illuminated man-made star. It was constructed at the top of Mill Mountain in Roanoke, Virginia in 1949 by the local merchants association to draw publicity and trade to the city.

"The star was initially intended to be lit only during Christmas seasons, but was popular enough with the citizens of Roanoke that it is illuminated every night year-round. It stands 88.5 feet (27.0 m) tall and weighs 60,000 pounds (27,000 kg), rests 846 feet (258 m) above the city of Roanoke, and is visible for 60 miles (97 km) from the air.

"Its 2,000 feet (610 m) of neon tubing are typically lit entirely in white, but have the ability to shine solely in red (historically for tragic events), or in red, white, and blue (for patriotic holidays). The star has become a symbol of Roanoke and the source of its nickname "Star City of the South", and it along with its accompanying scenic overlook are popular tourist destinations in the area." (Wikipedia)

"At 8:22 p.m. on November 23, 1949, a chilly Thanksgiving Eve, Roanoke Mayor, A.R. Minton, threw a switch and illuminated the Roanoke Star for the first time. It was over 50 years ago Roanoke earned the nickname, “Star City of the South,” and the star has been a part of the landscape of Mill Mountain ever since," the official website says.

"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. John Payne, a Roanoke native and, at the time, a Hollywood leading man, came to Roanoke to add his celebrity status to the formal lighting ceremony. Less than 100 people braved the cold night to stand under the star as it was switched on."

Star Facts

Height of star – 88.5 feet;

Weight of star – 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;

World’s largest freestanding illuminated man-made star;

Illuminated by 2,000 feet of neon tubing.

(Source: official website)

"The Roanoke Star is an iconic symbol of Virginia's Blue Ridge and a must-see spot when visiting the region. The star sits perched atop Mill Mountain and overlooks the surrounding valley and Blue Ridge Mountains, serving as a beacon and welcoming sign to visitors," the Visit Roanoke, VA says.

"It is illuminated every night. As the largest, free-standing, man-made, illuminated star in the world, the Roanoke Star is one of the most photographed attractions in the area and the scenic overlook at the base of the structure is a popular stop for an incredible view of the region.

"The Roanoke Star was constructed in 1949 and was meant to serve as a seasonal Christmas decoration for the holiday shopping season. Through a sponsorship from the Roanoke Merchants Association, Roy C. Kinsey of Kinsey Sign Co., along with his three sons, Roy Jr., Bob and Warren, designed and built the star."

"Originally erected to celebrate Christmas and encourage holiday shopping, the Roanoke Star was commissioned by the Roanoke Merchants Association (today's version of the Chamber of Commerce) and built by local, family-owned company Kinsey Sign Co, led by Roy C. Kinsey and his three sons, Roy Jr., Bob, and Warren," the Southern Living says.

" The steel star, which is actually three stars—a small center star with two sets of outlining frames—was lit for the first time on November 23, 1949 in an event that was attended by around 100 people, including John Payne, a Roanoke native and star of Miracle on 34th Street.

"Measuring 88.5 feet high and weighing 10,000 pounds, the star, which cost $28,000 to build, was to be dismantled at the end of that first holiday season. Nearly a century later, it remains."

Fun Facts

The giant structure is formed of three stars that are held together by 2,000 feet of neon tubing and can be seen from 60 miles in the air. Its primary colors are white but can be lit red and/or blue. If the star is solid red on any given day, it symbolizes a traffic fatality has occurred.

Its total construction cost was $28,000 and stands 1,847 feet above sea level, consuming 17,500 watts of power. On August 12th, 2006, the star went dark for eight days to undergo electrical maintenance upgrades, but since it has been shining bright.

The Roanoke Star is the largest free-standing man-made illuminated star in the world and the most photographed attraction in the Roanoke area.

(Source: WFXRtv.com)

"World's largest man-made star. Erected in 1949 as a symbol of the progressive spirit of Roanoke, Star City of the South," The Historical Marker Database says.

Height of steel structure - 100 ft.
Height of star - 88 1/2 ft.
Weight of star - 10,000 lbs.
Weight of steel structure - 60,000 lbs.
Weight of concrete base - 500,000 lbs.
Depth of base - 6 1/2 ft.
Length of neon tubing - 2,000 ft.
Current consumed - 17,500 watts
Height above sea level - 1,847 ft.
Height above city - 1,045 ft.
Visibility from the air - 60 miles
Several possible color combinations
Illuminated every night till 12.

"The Mill Mountain Star is 88.5 feet tall with 2,000 feet of neon tubing. It requires 17,500 watts of power to illuminate the neon tubes. Roy C. Kinsey of Kinsey Sign Company built the neon tubes with his three sons Roy Jr., Bob, and Warren. It was assembled near a local airplane hangar to study how it looked. Then it was driven to the top of the mountain and placed onto a steel structure. Robert L. Little was the Structural Engineer for Roanoke Iron & Bridge Works at the time and helped on the project as well," the Waymarking says.

"Certain sections of the original red neon tubing still exist, while all of the white and blue sections have been replaced. Most maintenance on the star today involves the replacement of transformers and the repairing of circuit breakers.

"A small zoo was built near the star on the summit of Mill Mountain. Mill Mountain Zoo was originally designated as strictly a children's zoo, but the number of exhibits and variety of animals has expanded. The star, overlook, and zoo are accessible both from Roanoke and from a spur of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Roanoke Mountain."

"I live in Roanoke, Virginia. It’s a mid-size town in Southwest Virginia. There are a lot of great things about Roanoke. We are in a valley right along the Appalachian Trail and along the Blue Ridge Parkway which means we are surrounded by beautiful mountains," the Potentially Beautiful says.

"We are knows as the “Star City of the South” because of the huge neon start that sits atop Mill Mountain and overlooks the City of Roanoke. It’s not just any star, it’s the world’s largest man-made star.

"It was usually all white, but after 9/11 they changed it to red, white, and blue and it remains that way now. I can see the Star out of my bedroom window every night. After a trip out of town, it’s always a welcoming sign that we are home."