Northwest of downtown Roanoke, the Melrose-Rugby Historic District was developed as a working-class suburb that arose between 1916 and 1949. The land was previously located northwest of the city limits and provided much needed housing for moderate income families who worked in the area. The neighborhood exemplifies traditional residential planning of the era, relying on a narrow street grid and alleyways. Elements of early modern suburban design are also evident in the district’s wide and curving Rugby Avenue, which anticipates the curvilinear subdivision layout that would become prevalent after World War II. The district exhibits the full range of architectural styles and home building popular during this period, with examples of Craftsman bungalows, American Foursquares, and Cape Cod houses. The historic district represents a small portion of the subdivision developed by the Rugby Land Corporation that was annexed by the city of Roanoke between 1925 and 1949. The Melrose-Rugby Historic District also includes several lots located along 14th Street SW that were developed by the Eureka Land Company.