The Norwich Historic District is located in the city of Roanoke, west of downtown. Created by the Roanoke Development Company in 1890, the district is predominantly residential, although there are some commercial, civic, and industrial resources. In 1891, the Norwich Lock Company was one of the first large manufacturers to open in Norwich and attract families to the area, followed by Roanoke Cotton Mill around 1900. The district’s houses, many of them built by industries once located in Norwich, reflect the working-class nature of the neighborhood, and possess few architectural embellishments. Industries operating in Norwich in the early 20th century built one-story shotgun and pyramidal-roofed workers’ cottages as well as other types of standardized house types for both management and workers. Of note within the Norwich Historic District are the former Norwich School, Norwich Park, Walker Machine buildings, Woodside Presbyterian Church, and the late-19th century Norwich Cemetery.