Blue Ridge Parkway History

Historic Blue Ridge Parkway Images

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles (755 km) through the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains. Land on either side of the road is maintained by the National Park Service. It is the longest, narrowest National Park in the world and is the most visited unit in the United States National Park System. In many places, the park is bordered by land protected by the United States Forest Service.

Begun during the administration of U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt, the project was originally called the "Appalachian Scenic Highway." Most construction was carried out by private contractors under federal contracts under an authorization by Harold L. Ickes in his role as federal public works administrator. Work began on September 11, 1935 near Cumberland Knob in North Carolina; construction in Virginia began the following February. On June 30, 1936, Congress formally authorized the project as the " Blue Ridge Parkway" and placed it under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. Some work was carried out by various New Deal public works agencies. The Works Progress Administration did some roadway construction. Crews from the Emergency Relief Administration carried out landscape work and development of parkway recreation areas. Personnel from four Civilian Conservation Corps camps worked on roadside cleanup, roadside plantings, grading slopes and improving adjacent fields and forest lands. During World War II, the CCC crews were replaced by conscientious objectors in the Civilian Public Service program.

Construction of the parkway took over fifty-two years to complete, the last stretch (near the Linn Cove Viaduct) being laid around Grandfather Mountain in 1987. Twenty-seven tunnels were constructed through the rock -- one in Virginia and 26 in North Carolina. Sections of the Parkway near the tunnels are often closed in winter. (Due to dripping groundwater from above, freezing temperatures, and the lack of sunshine, ice often accumulates inside these areas even when the surrounding areas are above freezing.) The highest point on the parkway (south of Waynesville, near Mount Pisgah in North Carolina) is 6047 feet (according to the 2005 Parkway map) on Richland Balsam Mountain at Milepost 431, and is often closed from November to April due to inclement weather such as snow, fog, and even freezing fog from low clouds. The parkway is carried across streams, railways ravines and cross roads by 168 bridges and six viaducts.

The parkway runs from the southern terminus of Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive in Virginia at Rockfish Gap to U.S. 441 at Oconaluftee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina. There is no fee for using the parkway, however commercial vehicles are prohibited without approval from the Park Service Headquarters, near Asheville, North Carolina. The roadway is not maintained in the winter, and sections which pass over especially high elevations and through tunnels are often impassable and therefore closed from late fall through early spring. Weather is extremely variable in the mountains, so conditions and closures often change rapidly. The speed limit is never higher than 45 mph (70 km/h) and lower in some sections.

The parkway uses short side roads to connect to other highways, and there are no direct interchanges with interstate highways, making it possible to enjoy wildlife and other scenery without stopping for cross-traffic. Mileposts along the parkway start at zero at the northeast end in Virginia and count to 469 at the southern end in North Carolina. The mileposts can be found on the west side of the road. Major towns and cities along the way include Waynesboro, Roanoke, and Galax in Virginia; and in North Carolina, Boone and Asheville, where it runs across the property of the Biltmore Estate. The Blue Ridge Music Center (also part of the park) is located in Galax, and Mount Mitchell (the highest point in eastern North America) is only accessible via a state road from the parkway at milepost 355.4.

The parkway has been referenced in popular culture, for example, in the Carbon Leaf song, "Blue Ridge Laughing".

* Mile 0 Rockfish Gap near Waynesboro, Virginia, is the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. To the north the parkway connects directly to Skyline Drive, which winds 105 miles through Shenandoah National Park. U.S. 250 and I-64 take you to Charlottesville to the east and Staunton to the west.

* 5 to 9.3 Humpback Rocks has a self-guiding trail through a collection of old Appalachian farm buildings. A hiking trail from the parking area (at mile 6.1) leads 0.75 mile to The Rocks, whose humped appearance gives the area its name. Greenstone self-guiding trail (8.8).

* 10.7 Ravens Roost offers vistas of Torry Mountain and the Shenandoah Valley to the west.

* 16 Sherando Lake is a recreation area in George Washington National Forest 4.5 miles from the parkway via VA.814. Swimming, picnicking, and camping. Fees charged.

* 29 Whetstone Ridge provided many a mountain man with a fine-grained sharpening stone.

* 34.4 Yankee Horse Ridge supposedly is where a hard-riding Union soldier's horse fell and had to be shot. See a reconstructed spur of an old logging railroad while walking to Wigwam Falls.

* 58 to 63.6 Otter Creek runs 10 miles down the Blue Ridge to the James River. Otter Lake (63.1), fishing, trail.

* 63.8 The James River and Kanawha Canal is where a footbridge leads across the river to the restored canal locks and exhibits. A self-guiding trail follows the river bluff.

* 71 Onion Mountain's short loop trail leads through rhododendron and mountain laurel.

* 84 to 87 Peaks of Otter's spectacular views have been popular since the days of Thomas Jefferson. A shuttle bus provides service to Sharp Top. Fee Charged.

* 114.9 Roanoke River Gorge opens before you from the overlook, after a 10-minute walk.

* 115.1 Virginia's Explore Park celebrates the state's role in Westward Expansion. Historic buildings, exhibits, and demonstrations. Fee charged.

* 120.4 Roanoke Mountain is a 3.7-mile side trip. The one-way loop road takes you over the mountain for impressive views. Steep grades; towed vehicles prohibited.

* 129.6 Roanoke Valley Overlook gives a view of the largest community along the parkway. Reach the city via U.S. Route 220 (at milepost 121), State Route 24 (at 112), and U.S. Route 460 (at 105).

* 154.5 Smart View is just that; go to the Trail Cabin built in the 1890's and you'll see "a right smart view," especially in early May when the dogwoods bloom.

* 167 to 174 Rocky Knob rises like the cresting of a wave to overlook Rock Castle Gorge.

* 176.1 Mabry Mill was operated by E.B. Mabry from 1910 to 1935. A trail leads you to his gristmill, sawmill, blacksmith shop, and to other exhibits. Old-time skills are demonstrated in the summer and fall.

* 188.8 Groundhog Mountain is a good place to see different kinds of rural fences: snake, Post-and-rail, picket and buck. Picnic grounds and observation tower.

Highlights in North Carolina (Also see our complete Blue Ridge Parkway Guide for the Asheville area)

The Blue Ridge Parkway crosses the North Carolina-Virginia state line at mile 216.9. The 1749 party that surveyed the boundary included Peter Jefferson, father of Thomas Jefferson.

* Mile 217.5 Cumberland Knob, at 2885 feet, is a delightful spot to walk through fields and woodlands.

* 218.6 Fox Hunters Paradise, a 10-minute walk, is where hunters could listen to their hounds baying in the valley below.

* 238.5 Brinegar Cabin was built by Martin Brinegar about 1880 and lived in until the 1930's when the homestead was purchased from his widow for the parkway, The original cabin stands here today.

* 238.5 to 244.7 Doughton Park was named for Congressman Robert L. Doughton, a staunch supporter and neighbor of the parkway.

* 258.6 Northwest Trading Post offers crafts from North Carolina's northwestern counties.

* 260.6 Jumpinoff Rock, at the end of a short woodland trail, offers a beautiful vista.

* 272 E. B. Jeffress Park has a self-guided trail to the Cascades. Another trail goes to the old cabin and church.

* 285.1 Daniel Boone's Trace, which Boone blazed to the West, crosses near here.

* 292 to 295 Moses H. Cone Memorial Park has hiking and horse trails. Flat top Manor houses the Parkway Craft Center. Fishing.

* 295.1 to 298 Julian Price Memorial Park, the former retreat of an insurance executive, offers a variety of short trails and a lake.

* 308.3 Flat Rock is worth the walk for the superb view of Grandfather Mountain and Linville Valley.

* 316.3 Linville Falls roars through a dramatic rugged gorge. Trails to overlooks.

* 355.4 Mount Mitchell State Park, reached via N.C. 128, has a picnic area, lookout tower, and the highest point east of the Mississippi River.

* 363.4 to 369.6 Craggy Gardens appear covered with purple rhododendron in mid to late June. Craggy Pinnacle Trail and other trails (364.1 and 364.6); road to picnic area and trails (367.6).

* 382 The Folk Art Center is the flagship facitlity of the Southern Highand Craft Guild. It offers sales and exhibits of traditional and contemporary crafts of the Appalachian region. Intrepretive programs, three galleries, a library and a book store.

* 408.6 Mount Pisgah was part of the Biltmore Estate. The estate became home of the first forestry school in America and the nucleus of the Pisgah National Forest.

* 420.2 Shining Rock Wilderness is the largest Wilderness in North Carolina with 18,483 acres, 25 miles of trails and peaks over 6000 ft.

* 422.4 Devil's Courthouse is a rugged exposed mountaintop rich in Cherokee traditions. A walk to the bare rock summit yields a spectacular view of Pisgah National Forest.

* 431 Richland Balsam's self-guiding trail takes you through a remnant spruce-fir forest. Highest point on the parkway, 6,047 feet.

* 451.2 Waterrock Knob provides a panorama of the Great Smokies, visitor center, trail, confort station, exhibits.

* 458.2 Heintooga Overlook spur road goes to a mile-high overlook 1.3 miles from the parkway.