It borders the neighborhoods of Roundhill on the north, Washington Park on the east, Loudon-Melrose and Harrison on the south and Fairland and Villa Heights on the west.
[2] The primary impetus for the development of the neighborhood was the expansion of the streetcar into Melrose by 1890.
[2] The Roanoke based Woman's Civic Betterment Club was instrumental in cleaning and improving this area in 1907-1912.
In preparing the Melrose-Rugby Historic District in Roanoke, the effects of the Woman's Civic Betterment Club were appreciated.
The Melrose–Rugby Neighborhood Forum serves as the communities citizen advocacy group.