Roanoke is situated in the northeastern part of the county, and is the second town in size and wealth. It owes its origin to the canal built between 1834 and 1837, and, in 1870, contained a population of 627.

The town had, for many years a fine waterpower, but the value of this has been since impaired, by the failure of the canal. a gristmill, one of the first on a large scale in the county, was erected here in 1840. The waterpower flouring-mill has been replaced by a steam mil of the same class. There is a large woolen-mill in the town, and several woodworking establishments of a large capacity. The town has, of late years, been unfortunate in regard to fires, losing by this means two flouring-mills and a large hub and spoke factory. Roanoke has a weekly paper, the Register, now in its fourth volume, and published by Swaidner & Makepeace. There are several churches, a union school building, and Roanoke Seminary, under the patronage of the United Brethren Church.

Antioch, on the T., W. & W. Railway, in the western part of the county, is an enterprising business place, and has a large stave yard and several other promising industries. A newspaper was started late in 1875, known as the Trader, George W. Bell & Co. proprietors.

Warren, in the southeast, is one of the oldest towns in the county, and is situated in the heart of a fertile farming region. Markle, Mt. Aetna and Mahon comprise all the remaining towns of local note.