This changed in 1850, when President Millard Fillmore signed a land grant for the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad, lobbied for by then-lawyers Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.

With the railroad expanding into Central Illinois, new opportunities for settlement by German, Dutch, Irish, Italian, Swedish, and other European immigrants opened up in Woodford County.

The plat of Roanoke was composed of 15 blocks and was bounded by Main, Front, Ann and Pleasant Streets.

Building began immediately in Roanoke and by the time the railroad was complete the population had increased to three hundred.

[4][5][6] After the accident, the coal mine continued to operate until 1940, when it was permanently closed due to safety concerns and maintenance issues.

Since before the mine closed, it is estimated that 800,000 tons of slag from the Jumbo has been used in various road and town improvement construction projects.

[6] Although smaller than its original size, the Jumbo still stands at present, topped with an electric star that is illuminated during the Christmas season.

On July 13, 2004, an F4 tornado demolished several rural houses and properties, and the Parsons Manufacturing Plant approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) west of downtown Roanoke.

While over 200 people were still inside the Parsons plant at the time, the event was notable because there were no serious injuries or fatalities, and also because numerous photos and videos were taken of it.