Starved for
attention from tourists, this sleepy little
Virginia town built a large electic light in the shape of a star on the top of one of the surroundings hills (they call this
Mill Mountain although it is less than 600 ft. in elevation).
After it was completed, the chamber of commerce added the nickname-
Star city of the south
to their advertising literature. There is no reason given for why this, or any other star would be relevant to Roanoke.
The light, still standing, shines white and bright in the distance, except for special occasions, when colored lights are added. In the 70s red lights were used in the star when there was a traffic fatality. (I understand this was discontinued in the 80s).