Blue Ridge Parkway Preview

Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is an exciting experience. As a dynamic roadway and one of the most visited National Park Service sites in the country, a little planning for your visit can go a long way. Here are the Top Ten things to know before taking a ride on America's Favorite Drive...

1. Always check the latest road status information before heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Be sure to check the park alerts at the top of the park’s web site for info about road projects and closures in your area.
2. Learn how driving on the Parkway differs from driving on other roads. The Blue Ridge Parkway, often called "America's Favorite Drive," is beautiful, but requires extra care while driving. 
3. Observe posted speed limits. The parkway was designed as a slow, leisurely motor route. No need to rush.
4. Pack your patience and expect heavy traffic or delays. The Blue Ridge Parkway features over 200 formal scenic overlooks. If one overlook is full of visitors and cars, just keep going, another one is not too far away.
5. Orient yourself to the parkway’s primary wayfinding tool—Parkway Mileposts. Milepost markers line the route and mark each mile of the Blue Ridge Parkway. If the marker is on your left, you are traveling north on the parkway. If the marker is on your right, you are traveling south on the parkway.
6. Keep wildlife wild by giving them their space and never feeding them. Learn more about staying safe in bear country on the park's Bear Safety Page.
7. Plan to visit a nearby community. Communities adjacent to the parkway offer visitors charming experiences and events, and a wide variety of food, lodging and shopping options.
8. Make reservations in advance for in-park lodging and camping. Campsites at one of the parkway’s eight campgrounds are available for reservations at www.recreation.gov or (877) 444-6777. 
9. Come prepared to recreate responsibly and follow Leave No Trace principles. We all share in the stewardship of the parkway and its resources so be prepared, leave it like you found it, carry out trash and stay on trails!
10. If travelling with your pet, know the regulations. Pets must be kept on a leash of no more than 6 ft. at all times for the safety of your pet, park wildlife and other visitors.

You are coming up on the Afton Overlook, near milepost 0.2. Elevation is 2054 feet at this site.

You are coming up on the Air Bellows Overlook , near milepost 2 36.9. After 71 reviews, it has a 4.8 rating out of 5. There is a marker, titled "Tillers of the Land - Then and Now". The marker reads as follows; For thousands of years Native Americans cultivated the fertile valleys of the Blue Ridge region including North Carolina. Employing techniques such as “slash and burn” to clear small areas of forested land and fertilize the soil, the Cherokee raised crops that included the “three sisters” – corn, beans and squash.

Upon settling the region, European immigrants quickly adopted many Cherokee crops and techniques, alongside the agricultural practices they brought with them. This blending of farming traditions resulted in a distinctive regional agricultural heritage.

From this overlook, visitors are offered a long range view of an area of mixed agriculture in the region. Like their ancestors before them, the people of this region continue to cultivate traditional fruits and vegetables, but they have also introduced new crops such as Christmas trees, ornamentals, mushrooms, herbs and wine grapes.

The parkway reaches its highest elevation in Virginia - - 3950 - - on Apple Orchard Mountain. Wind, ice and snow of raging winter storms have pruned this mountaintop forest, giving it an “Old Apple Orchard” appearance. This “orchard” consists primarily of gnarled lichen - - covered Northern Red Oak.

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United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service

Erected by National Park Service.

Near milepost 305.2, is the Beacon Heights Overlook and Trail. After 358 reviews, it has a 4.9 rating out of 5. There is a moderate point 2 mile trail to reach the overlook that takes about 10 minutes to walk.

You are coming up on The Big Spy Mountain Overlook, near Milepost 26.4. Elevation is 3200 feet at this site. With 42 reviews, it has a 4.8 rating, out of 5.

Music is a natural part of these mountains, and nowhere is that heritage felt more strongly than at the Blue Ridge Music Center. People here have kept alive and created some of the richest traditions of folk music and dance in our nation. Enjoy live music daily in the breezeway or at a weekend concert in the summer or fall. The Music Center is also at the crossroads of two music heritage routes: Virginia’s The Crooked Road and the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina.

Visit Center and Museum: Talk to a ranger and explore the “Roots of American Music” exhibits, which trace the diversity of American music roots to the region. Take in daily mountain music performances in the music center’s breezeway or weekend concerts in the 3000-seat outdoor amphitheater during summer and fall. Stretch your legs on the 1.35-mile High Meadow Trail or the moderate 2.24-mile Fisher Peak Loop. The Fisher Peak Loop is also a Kids In Parks TRACK trail.

Your next highlight on the parkway is "The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center", at milepost 384. The visitor center is a one-stop shop for all things Blue Ridge Parkway. Get a map, talk to a ranger, pick up some merchandise, learn about other area offerings, and explore parkway-themed exhibits. Hiking includes a short loop with access to the Mountains-to-Sea trail. This is one of the few visitor centers that is open year round. For anyone looking to start their parkway trip from Asheville, the visitor center is a must-see. Watch for milepost 384 and the Blue Ridge Parkway center.

The next highlight on the parkway is The Brinegar Cabin. It is preserved at milepost 238 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Martin Brinegar and his wife Caroline built this cabin during the 1880s. Though Martin died in 1925, Caroline continued to live here until 1935.

Typical of other mountain families, the Brinegar's cleared land and raised crops such as buckwheat, rye, oats, corn and sorghum. Their poultry and livestock roamed free in the mountains, a common practice.

Caroline Brinegar received a four-poster hand loom from her father as a wedding gift. Using wool yarn and linen thread spun from flax grown in her garden, she wove the durable "linsey-woolsey" cloth. She used the "tromped as writ" patterns, which resemble sheet music with symbols telling her which of the foot pedals to tromp to weave the pattern.

Martin Brinegar earned cash as a cobbler. He made shoes for a dollar a pair, more or less, depending upon the size of the foot. Caroline and her children collected herbs such as bloodroot, may apple, and black snakeroot. The herbs were sold to drug merchants in Jefferson and Boone, North Carolina.

Brinegar Cabin reminds us of the resourcefulness of mountain people and the development of cottage industries in which people were able to obtain cash for items made at home.

Nestled in the valley below is the Cradle of Forestry in America, the birthplace of science-based forest management and a living legacy made possible by George and Edith Vanderbilt of the nearby Biltmore Estate. Some 87,000 acres of the Vanderbilt's “Pisgah Forest” tract viewed from this point became the nucleus of the Pisgah National Forest, established in 1916.

This 6,500-acre historic site was created by Congress in 1968 to “preserve, develop, and make available to this and future generations the birthplace of forestry and forestry education in America.”

Today, the Cradle of Forestry is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is open to visitors from mid-April to early November. As you enter the main gate (4 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 412), you will be rewarded with the opportunity to explore the past, present, and future of environmental sustainability and stewardship - brought to visitors through paved interpretive trails, interactive exhibits, film, music, drama, guided tours, nature programs, craft demonstrations, and special events. A sustainably designed Forest Discovery Center with its gift shop and café welcomes visitors to the historic structures and to a relaxing walk through the woods or neighboring Pink Beds Valley.

www.cradleofforestry.com • (828) 877-3130

The North Carolina mountains and foothills were designated the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in recognition of their natural beauty and living traditions of music, craft, agriculture, and Cherokee culture. This location is part of a regional trail of distinctive heritage sites. Ask for information at area visitor centers.

Erected by Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association in America.

The Craggy Dome View parking area is where you will find the trailhead for the Craggy Pinnacle Trail, a 1-mile round trip trail to a 360° view from the summit of Craggy Pinnacle. This is different than Craggy Dome, which is the hill viewed over the top of the identification sign in the parking lot. The hike is highly recommended, for it provides one of the best views on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You do get a decent view of the mountains from the parking area, but for the real view, hike the trail.

Craggy Gardens is a popular, high elevation destination 20 miles north of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway. At 5,500 feet, the gorgeous and expansive views are some of the Parkway’s finest. Part of the Great Craggy Mountains, strong winds, fog, and harsh winters have shaped the area, producing stunted, twisted trees and wildlife that is uniquely adapted to this different environment. The name Craggy comes from jagged rock outcroppings or “crags” found here and the shrubs and grasses of the summit balds give the area a “garden” feel. And while colorful wildflowers can be seen from April through October, the highlight comes in June when the spectacular purple and pink blooms of the Catawba rhododendron are at their peak.

A visitor center, picnic area, and hiking trails provide plenty to do for a short stop or an all day visit. Craggy Gardens can be a very busy location, especially in the fall when the leaves turn color.

The next highlight on the parkway is at milepost 422, called Devils Courthouse. Rising above the surrounding spruce forest at an imposing 5,720 feet, this dark mass of exposed rock seems to almost hang over its surroundings. According to Cherokee legend, a powerful mountain giant named Judaculla danced and held court in an underground chamber beneath the rock. A strenuous half-mile trail leads visitors to the very top of this fabled dance hall, where, on a clear day, sweeping views stretch into North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.

But it’s not just a pretty view. Devils Courthouse also provides habitat for a variety of rare, high-altitude species that migrated here during the last Ice Age. With ample heat rising from the valley, it’s also the perfect territory for birds of prey, including peregrine falcons who nest on the side of the rock’s face—but they’ll only return if their home is left undisturbed. Due to this area’s unique ecology, it is critical that casual visitors and serious hikers alike follow all posted signs and trail regulations, like no climbing on the rock outcroppings and remaining behind the established wall at the trail’s end. By staying on the trail, we can ensure that these natural wonders remain protected for years to come. I will let you know when you are getting close to milepost 422, so that you don’t miss this highlight on the parkway.

The next highlight is The Folk Art Center at milepost 382. It is a great place to Discover Appalachian arts and crafts. In season, daily craft demonstrations give visitors the chance to see folk art being made, and to talk to the craftsmen as they work. Year-round, visitors can wander through the modern folk art gallery or chat with a ranger. Watch for the Folk Art Center at milepost 382.

You are coming up on The Fork Mountain overlook, near Milepost 23.0. Elevation is 3294 feet at this site. With 36 reviews, it has a 4.8 rating, out of 5.

The rambling stone walls seen nearby are remnants of “hog-walls.” Built in the early 1800’s they provided winter work for slaves of valley plantations and were mended yearly to control the wanderings of half-wild hogs that foraged for acorns and chestnuts. A good example may be seen along the nearby nature trail.

Erected by National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.

Apple butter, apple cider, applesauce, apple pie! There were few home grown products more useful to the mountain farmer than apples. Cuttings from favorite trees were often taken from place to place when the family moved or children left home. Today old apple trees often indicate the location of a beloved but abandoned mountain homestead.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Looking for the road less traveled? Try the Heintooga Spur Road, also known as Balsam Mountain Road. This 9-mile paved spur road just 11 miles from the south end of the Blue Ridge Parkway has overlooks with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and valleys below, hiking trails, picnic grounds, and opportunities to see elk.

For the first four miles you are within the Blue Ridge Parkway boundary. The road leads drivers along the mountain's crest with scenic overlooks on both sides of the road. To the left are the Smokies and peaks like Clingmans Dome and Mount Le Conte. To the right, the Plott Balsam Range and the Parkway's route is your view.

As you reach Black Camp Gap you will leave the Parkway and enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A large wooden sign will welcome you and there is an adjacent parking area. A short walk from the parking area leads to a Masonic stone monument completed in 1938. It was built when the park was created and contains rocks from most states and different places around the world. There are both stone steps and an accessible paved ramp that take you to the monument. The stone structure is protected under a wooden pavilion and surrounded by a fence. You can still get close enough to see and read the stones.

Humpback Rocks illustrates the blend of cultural and natural features that defines the rest of the parkway. Hike to high rock outcroppings or explore 1890s farm buildings relocated during parkway construction. Start your trip at the visitor center and learn about the many aspects of mountain life that defy stereotypes. During Parkway construction, landscape architects collected historic buildings from the surrounding area and placed them at Humpback Rocks for convenient viewing. Although not in their original location, these buildings help tell the story of early life in the mountains. Tour the collection on a short walk from the visitor center. Buildings open and staffed in summer.

Nestled under an open canopy oak forest on gently rolling hills, this picnic area provides visitors with a quiet forested setting to enjoy a meal with family and friends. Ninety-one picnic tables with charcoal grills, including some with accessibility features and a large group area, are scattered around the upper and lower loops, offering the chance to find the perfect site for your meal.

Popular activities in the picnic area include grilling, socializing, walking, and wildlife viewing. Two trailheads are located in the back of the lower loop with access to the Appalachian Trail (0.5 mile connection) and Catoctin Overlook trail (0.3 mile one way). Many different kinds of plants and animals can be found living around the picnic area including birds, snakes, squirrels, raccoons, and bears.

Help us keep our wildlife wild by practicing Leave No Trace ethics during your visit. To prevent human/bear conflicts, there are no trash cans on site. Pack out all your trash & food scraps to avoid attracting scavengers, like crows and bears. All sites are available on a first come, first serve basis. Two comfort stations have drinking water, sinks, and flushing toilets.

You are coming up on one of my favorite sites near milepost 63.6, called The James River Picnic Area and Visitor Center. I like the history of this site. Sometimes called the “River Where America Began," travelers have used the James River for thousands of years to move around what is now called Virginia. You can Explore the remnants of George Washington’s vision to connect the Atlantic Ocean with the Ohio River Valley - the James River and Kanawha Canal.

Sitting at the lowest elevation on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the "James River Picnic Area" provides shaded, riverside dining on the steep banks of the James River. Spread over a half an acre, you can find a table and grill to share a meal and some time with your family and friends.

Popular activities include fishing - socializing - hiking - and wildlife viewing. Families enjoy completing the Kids in Parks TRACK trail brochures. Due to the low elevation, and nearby river habitat, the picnic area is home to many species of plants and animals found in few other places, on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Keep your eyes out for river otters, bald eagles, turtles, cormorants, muskrats, and other aquatic animals. Three trails depart from here, including the 0.4 mile Canal Loop, the 0.5 mile Trail of Trees loop, and the 3.3 mile (one way) Otter Creek Trail. The nearby James River Visitor Center has restrooms, but no potable water. For those of you collecting badges, you can pick one up at this visitor center. I will be sure to let you know when you are getting close to the James River Picnic Area and Visitor Center at milepost 63.6.

Julian Price Memorial Park is named after its former owner, insurance giant Julian Price. Price bought the 4,200 acres as a recreational retreat for his employees; after his untimely death in 1946, his heirs donated the land to the parkway as a memorial. Now, Price Park is a popular parkway destination, with plenty of opportunities to hike, fish canoe, camp, and picnic.

Julian Price Campground sits beside Price Lake, a pristine body of water that sparkles against the backdrop of rolling mountains. The surrounding forest offers a colorful assortment of wildflowers in the spring and vivid orange and red foliage in the fall.

There are two types of TRACK Trails at Price Lake—hiking and paddling. Enjoy a boating trip around a 47-acre mountain lake or take a stroll along the water's edge.

Whether hiking or boating, Julian Price Lake is a beautiful spot. The hiking trail is a hard-packed dirt trail in most areas surrounded by rhododendron. The trail weaves in and out along the shore of the lake providing several access points to the clear sparkling water. Wooden boardwalks and foot bridges help with areas where the path traverses areas of beaver activity. Beaver gnawed tree stumps are commonly spotted along the trail, along with wood ducks floating on the lake.

By water, boaters can circle the 47-acre lake on gentle rocking waters sliding up into coves and exploring streams that feed the lake with cold water. The openness of the lake is a bright sparkling landscape on a sunny day.

Canoes can be rented at the lake, and a dock offers opportunities for fishing. Area hiking trails include Price Lake, Boone Fork, Green Knob, and Tanawha trails. Campers may see bears, grouse, turkeys, owls, hawks and more. I will make sure to let you know when you are getting close to the Julian Price Park near milepost 297.1

Licklog Ridge Overlook near milepost 335.7 is a great little picnic spot with a nice view. The overlook itself displays a narrow view of gently rolling mountains framed by close growing trees and shrubs. Try hiking 1.7 miles south to Grassy Ridge Mine Overlook, then turn around and return. Hikers have noted an abundance of birds, wildlife, and attractive stonework along the trail. Watch for the Licklog Ridge Overlook at milepost 335.7.

The Cherokee domain once extended far beyond the distant mountains, but the white man, with broken treaties and fruitless promises, brought trouble to the Indians and caused their banishment to an Oklahoma reservation. A few escaped capture and fled into the Great Smokies, eventually forming the Eastern Band that now lives on the Qualla Reservation in the valley below.

Erected 1975 by United States Department of the Interior National Park Service.

The 8000-acre Curtis Creek tract before you was the first parcel of land acquired under the Weeks Act. This act was signed by President Taft in 1911 and authorized buying parcels of land that would become eastern National Forests. This tract also included several hundred acres that is now the Blue Ridge Parkway around you.

Some of the acquired lands were dense native forests, while others were cut over and very much in need of restoration. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests make up more than two-thirds of the lands that border the Parkway in North Carolina. These forests are a continuing legacy of the Weeks Act.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

As the last piece of the parkway to be completed, the Linn Cove Viaduct is a marvelous feat of engineering and environmental protection. Completed in 1983, at a cost of almost $10 million, the Linn Cove Viaduct is 1,243 feet long and contains 153 segments weighing 50 tons each. The American Society of Civil Engineers designated it a National Civil Engineering Landmark.

Establishing the Route

The exact route location of this segment, commonly referred to as the "missing link,” created a lengthy and heated controversy between private individuals and the National Park Service. Finally, North Carolina Governor Dan K. Moore negotiated a compromise location. A key factor in this controversy was environmental concern over Grandfather Mountain. Engineers were faced with a serious question: How do you build a road at an elevation of 4,100 feet without damaging one of the world's oldest mountains?

National Park Service landscape architects and Federal Highway Administration engineers agreed the road should be elevated, or bridged, where possible to eliminate massive cuts and fills. Figg and Muller Engineers, Inc. developed the bridge design and construction method. The result: the most complicated concrete bridge ever built, snaking around boulder-strewn Linn Cove in a sweeping "S" curve.

Constructing with Care

In order to prevent environmental damage and to allow construction to continue during severe winter weather, builders pre-cast sections indoors a few miles from the site using a process known as "match casting." Each new segment was cast against the segment preceding it.

The viaduct itself was the only access road for construction. Each pre-cast section was lowered by a stiff-leg crane and epoxied into position against the preceding segment. Steel cables threaded through the segments secured the entire bridge deck.

The viaduct was constructed from the top down to minimize disturbance to the natural environment. This method eliminated the need for a "pioneer road" and heavy equipment on the ground. The only construction that occurred at ground level was the drilling of foundations for the seven permanent piers, on which the Viaduct rests. Exposed rock was covered to prevent staining from concrete, epoxy, or grout. Tinted with iron oxide, the concrete blends in with the existing rock outcroppings. The only trees cut were those directly beneath the superstructure.

Timeline of Completion

Although the Blue Ridge Parkway’s construction began in 1935, construction of the Linn Cove Viaduct was delayed until 1979, when Congress finally approved funding. In the meantime, other portions of the "missing link," most of them north of the Viaduct, were completed bit-by-bit between 1968 and 1987. In addition to 12 bridges, the 7.5 mile section includes a dozen parking overlooks and the 13.5 mile Tanawha Trail, stretching from Beacon Heights to Julian Price Park.

A ribbon-cutting dedication ceremony on September 11, 1987, heralded the completion of the Parkway and the end, too, of a narrow and crooked 14-mile detour around Grandfather Mountain via the Tonahlossee Trail (U.S. 221). The final section is not only a triumph of engineering and sensitivity to the environment; it is a joy to drive, safe but thrilling. Hugging the contours and Grandfather Mountain, the road gently curves and rolls, presenting motorists with magnificent views as it sweeps toward the sky.

The Linville River flows from its headwaters high on the steep slopes of Grandfather Mountain and cascades through two falls as it begins a nearly 2,000 foot descent through this rugged and spectacularly beautiful gorge. Known by the Cherokee as "the river of many cliffs," Linville Gorge was the nation's first officially designated wilderness area. Towering hemlocks, dense stands of rhododendron, and native wildflowers grow along the trails that begin at the visitor center and encircle the falls.

Like a gigantic mirror, Looking Glass Rock reflects a dazzle of sunlight when water collects on its granite face. This display is especially spectacular in winter when the water turns to ice.

Looking Glass Rock is a pluton formed by underground volcanic activity. Plutons are great masses of molten rock that have hardened under the earth's surface. Centuries of erosion finally exposed the rock and shaped it into the familiar dome we see today.

Erected by National Park Service.

The hills and valleys before you may seem quiet, rounded with age and blanketed with thick forests. But if you listen closely between the distant sounds of a train whistle, you may hear the sounds of fiddles, banjos and strings bands that still ring throughout the Blue Ridge region.

Here at the Orchard at Altapass, a rich music heritage comes to life from spring through fall when local residents gather to celebrate, play, and share the music of the mountains, a style that is unique and truly American. Today's "mountain music" evolved over time, a blend of styles that arrived in the region with immigrant settlers. The fiddle came from Europe, the banjo from Africa.

Those who dwelt in isolated rural communities found harmony when they gathered on front porches and in churches to sing, play instruments, dance and enjoy fellowship.

This tradition is alive today and can be enjoyed on festival stages, in town squares, and in places like the Orchard, where you can hear the lively strains of old-time, bluegrass, ballad singing, blues and sacred music that continue to fill the air.

The next highlight on the parkway is near milepost 176. The sights and sounds of Rural Appalachia fill the air at Mabry Mill during the summer and fall. Mr. Ed Mabry, built the mill, where he and his wife Lizzy, ground corn, sawed lumber, and did black smithing for three decades. The old mill, cultural demonstrations, and a decades-long tradition of “Sunday afternoon music and dancing” continue to draw visitors today.

Mabry Mill is One of the most picturesque places on the Parkway. Mabry’s original sawmill and blacksmith shop still stand as well.

There is another historic structure at the mill called Matthew's Cabin. It is Not one of the original Mabry buildings. Parkway designers relocated this historic cabin from close by.

The cabin adds to the area’s picturesque and historic nature. In the summer and fall, you can catch up with rangers and volunteers during cultural demonstrations.

Take a break from driving, with a short walk by the mill and then enjoy great country fare at the Mabry Mill Restaurant. You will enjoy simple, but delicious country fare, inspired by rural Appalachia. Breakfast is served all day, with classic lunch and dinner entrees as well. I have attached a link of their website to your device, so you can review their Menu.

You should also Hike the Mabry Mill Trail, Also known as the Mountain Industry Trail, this is a 0.5-mile, easy trail, that gives excellent views of the historic buildings.

The Appalachian Trail crisscrosses the Blue Ridge Parkway for 100 miles in Virginia. Farther south, it winds through the Great Smoky Mountains. The trail usually follows the crest of the Appalachian chain, occasionally descending into scenic valleys. The trail's highest point, 6,643 feet, is at Clingmans Dome on the North Carolina-Tennessee border. Its lowest elevation, 124 feet, occurs at Bear Mountain Crossing in New York.

Stretching 2,050 miles from Mt. Katahdin in central Maine to Springer Mountain in northern Georgia, the Appalachian Trail is the longest marked footpath in the world. Begun in 1922, the trail traverses 14 states, including 541 miles in Virginia and more than 200 miles in North Carolina. Hikers who complete the trek visit eight national forests and five national park areas.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

The next highlight on the parkway is the "Moses H. Cone Memorial Park" near milepost 294. Textile magnate Moses H. Cone built this summer retreat with his wife, Bertha, at the turn of the 20th century. In 19 forty-nine, the family donated the estate, which is listed on the Register of Historic Places, to the National Park Service. You can Visit Flat Top Manor and estate, now known as the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, for the perfectly curated and winding carriage trails, historic manor, and Southern Highland Craft Guild craft shop. You can Join a ranger, to learn more about the Cone family, and the estate that they built in the mountains.

Moses Cone carefully laid out 25 miles of carriage trails, for gentle curves and magnificent views. Although partially overgrown with time, these carriage trails are a great way to step back in history and enjoy nature at the same time. I have attached a map of the park to your device. I will make sure to let you know when you are getting close to the "Moses H. Cone Memorial Park" near milepost 294.

Moses Cone rose from immigrant roots to become a leading industrialist during America's Gilded Age.

The story of the Cone family begins with Moses’ father, Herman Kahn, who immigrated to America from Bavaria, Germany in 1846, when he was 17 years old. Herman first settled in Richmond, Virginia, and Americanized his name from Kahn to Cone. After a few years he relocated to Jonesboro, Tennessee, where he opened a retail grocery store. He married Helen Guggenheimer, who, like he, was of German Jewish heritage. The eldest of their thirteen children, Moses, was born in Jonesboro, Tennessee on June 29, 1857.

In 1870, Herman Cone moved his family to Baltimore, Maryland seeking better economic opportunities following the Civil War. In Baltimore, he opened a wholesale grocery. Moses began his career in his father’s business. Moses and his brother Caesar, worked as travelling salesman for their father, and eventually became partners in the business, H. Cone and Sons.

Travelling throughout the South for the family business, Moses and Caesar developed strong ties with company stores in the region’s numerous textile mills. In 1891, the brothers started their own business, Cone Export & Commission Company, which sold textile products from smaller, independent southern mills to a wider market. They charged a 5 percent commission on these sales transactions.

Expanding their textile business further, Moses and Caesar opened Proximity Manufacturing Company in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1895. This cotton mill, which produced denim fabric, was named for its closeness—or proximity—to the raw materials needed for manufacturing cotton textiles, and to the railway lines required for transportation.

As their business continued to grow, the brothers opened and purchased additional mills, eventually becoming the leading makers of high-quality denim, corduroy, and flannel. During Moses’ lifetime, the brothers’ mills produced one third of the world’s supply of denim fabric, earning Moses the nickname, the “Denim King.”

Moses Cone married Bertha Lindau on February 15, 1888. Their economic success enabled the couple to develop Flat Top Manor, a country estate located in the cool and healthful air of the mountains in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. It was to become a testament to the wealth and influence attained by Moses Cone and his family.

Moses’ vision for the estate was influenced by his great regard for the natural landscape. He purchased the first piece of land in Blowing Rock in 1892 and eventually acquired nearly 3,600 acres for his estate. Following the example of other Gilded Age industrialists, Moses sought to build a country refuge where he and Bertha could relax from the stress of their business and reconnect with nature.

Construction of the family home began in 1899 and was completed in early 1901. While other wealthy men were busy building French-style chateaus and homes reminiscent of European estates, Moses and Bertha modeled their home on the American past, building a relatively modest home in the Beaux-Arts style. It may have been a conscious expression of the couple’s desire to distance themselves from their German Jewish immigrant roots and be seen as “American.”

Flat Top Manor was a designed as summer home where Moses and Bertha could enjoy the mountains and entertain guests. The couple spent winters in Baltimore, Maryland. The manor house was large compared to most American homes, containing about 14,000 square feet of living space on three floors. Its 23 rooms included 11 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a billiard room, music room, and library. Shady porches, leaded glass windows, and 11 fireplaces graced the house.

The house had all the modern amenities available in a rural location in America. This included telephones, a servants’ call system, indoor plumbing with cold and hot running water, a central wood-fired heating system, and a state-of-the-art carbide gas lighting system. Electricity was run to the house in 1927, about 25 years after it was built.

A staff of African American servants worked for the family inside the house. They included cooks, laundry maids, chambermaids, parlor maids, a butler and in later years a chauffeur. These staff members lived in two cottages located behind the manor house.

Recreational facilities outside the house included a bowling alley, tennis court, and formal croquet lawn. But the crown jewel of the estate was an extensive system of carriage roads that Moses and Bertha designed. Totaling 25 miles, these roads were used for both the pleasure of the family and for maintaining the large estate. The Cones also built three lakes on their property, which were stocked with bass or trout. The largest was Bass Lake—which is the centerpiece of the beautiful view from the manor house.

Moses Cone considered himself to be a gentleman farmer. He established agricultural enterprises on the estate in hopes that Flat Top Manor would eventually become financially self sufficient. He directed the planting of commercial apple orchards and maintained herds of sheep and beef cows on the estate. Bertha later established a small dairy operation on the farm. Thirty-two local families who worked in the orchards and farm operations lived in simple cottages scattered around the estate.

While many land barons kept their estates private, Moses Cone chose to open the grounds of Flat Top Manor to the local community—opening the gates at 8:00 AM each morning and closing them at 6:00 PM each evening. People were welcome to walk or ride horses on the carriage trails and explore his estate, though restrictions were placed on picking flowers or hunting on the property.

In 1906, Moses and Bertha took a year-long trip around the world. The trip began in Europe and ended in Asia. While on this trip, Moses developed health problems, including chest pains and indigestion. After returning to the United States in 1907, Moses was evaluated at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and was diagnosed with heart problems.

Moses died unexpectedly on December 8, 1908 as a result of heart disease. He was just 51 years old. Moses was buried on his estate in the family cemetery, at a site which he had selected during his lifetime.

Bertha Cone outlived her husband by 39 years. She took over management of Flat Top Manor after his death and proved herself to be a very competent manager of the estate, continuing to fulfill the dreams that Moses had for his beloved Flat Top Manor. During this time, she also received an annual income based on her husband’s co-ownership of the Cone business.

Flat Top Manor remained Bertha’s summer home for the remainder of her life. She was often joined by her two sisters, Clementine and Sophie, and other family members during her summers at the estate.

Bertha died at Flat Top Manor on June 8, 1947 at the age of 89. The couple had no children, so in accordance with an indenture made by the family in 1911, funds from the estate were used to build the Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina, home to the family's textile mills. Construction of the hospital began in 1949 and the facility opened to the public in 1953.

Ownership of Flat Top Manor was also transferred to the Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, which was charged with operating the estate as a “public pleasuring ground”--essentially a free public park. Shortly thereafter, the hospital donated Flat Top Manor to the National Park Service to become a part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Today Flat Top Manor is preserved as the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. You can visit Flat Top Manor, located near Blowing Rock, NC, at Milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy in cooperation with the United States Forest Service planted this 125 acre forest as a living memorial to the 125,000 soldiers North Carolina provided the Confederacy. The 125,000 Red Spruce tree forest was planted over a three-year period, 1941-1943.

The Memorial Forest was dedicated August 11, 1956

Rededicated by United Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans August 11, 2001

Erected 2001 by United Daughters of the Confederacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Mount Jefferson looms high over the town of Jefferson for which it is named. It was formerly called Negro Mountain because run-away slaves supposedly hid out there while fleeing north. The summit and slopes of the mountain now make up Mount Jefferson State Park, covering 474 acres.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

The next highlight on the parkway is Mount Pisgah at milepost 408. It has something for everyone. It has 6 different Hiking trails, a nice Campground, plenty of Picnic tables, and a Restaurant. And the Views are second to none. The only thing Mount Pisgah does not have is a Visitor Center. Mount Pisgah is the only lodge on the parkway in North Carolina. Mount Pisgah area is the perfect place to spend a day...or two. I will be sure to let you know when you are getting close to Mount Pisgah near mile post 408.

Towering above the surrounding forest at an impressive 6,684 feet above sea level, Mount Mitchell is the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River.

The mountain was first measured by Elisha Mitchell, a science professor at the University of North Carolina, in 1835. Through a combination of barometric pressure readings and mathematical formulas, Mitchell was able to calculate the height of the summit—which would eventually bear his name—to within 12 feet of today’s measurements.

Mount Mitchell became North Carolina’s first state park in 1915. Parkway visitors can take a side trip to the state park to enjoy breathtaking views from the summit’s observation deck, visit the museum and restaurant, or take a scenic hike through the Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest—which can only be found a few places on earth.

Trails of various lengths and difficulty traverse this area full of natural and historical treasures. Take a leisurely stroll through the surrounding forests or enjoy the challenge of a full day's hike. Whichever you choose, the experience is certain to be rewarding.

Mount Pisgah Trail

1.6 miles to the summit, begins at the far end of the Mount Pisgah Parking Area. With an ascent of 712 feet, the latter half of the moderate to strenuous hike is fairly steep and rocky. The trail passes through a Northern Red Oak forest to a deciduous heath bald at the summit, which offers a spectacular view including the French Broad River Valley and Shining Rock Wilderness.

Buck Spring Trail

This 1.1 mile-long section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs between the Mount Pisgah Inn and the Buck Spring Gap Parking Area. The trail passes the site where George Vanderbilt's mountain cabin, Buck Spring Lodge, once stood.

Laurel Mountain Trail

This 7.4 mile moderate trail is a spur off the Buck Spring Trail (Mountains-to-Sea Trail). It descends to U.S. Forest Service Road 1206, Yellow Gap Road, about 1,700 feet below.

Pilot Rock Trail

This moderate trail crosses over part of Pilot Rock, a huge rock outcropping used by old-timers as a landmark to get their bearings.

Shut-In Trail

This moderate to strenuous hike of 16.3 miles follows the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. It begins at the Mount Pisgah Parking Area and descends 3,681 feet to Bent Creek near NC 191.

Frying Pan Trail

Begins at the entrance to Mt. Pisgah Campground, and crosses through Northern Red Oak "orchards" where the trees are stunted by harsh weather. Groves of shrubby beaked hazelnut, hawthorn, azalea, and tall, shady red spruce, make this trail a favorite among birdwatchers, especially for spring and fall warblers. A moderate to strenuous hike of 2.1 miles, the trail continues into Frying Pan Gap, named for a communal frying pan hung in a tree by mountain herders who camped there. From the Gap, a gravel road leads to a U.S. Forest Service fire tower at the summit, which at 5,450 feet is the trail's end.

Although the Mineral Museum was not around when the Overmountain Men were on the campaign, the ground where it stands certainly was. Gillespie Gap was the place where the Patriot commanding officers had to make a difficult decision. They thought that Ferguson might be marching to meet them, and there were two roads down the mountain. If Ferguson took the opposite road up as they were taking their road down, they could be trapped from behind. However to split the group meant there would be a possibility of meeting Ferguson with diminished forces. They chose to split the militia, with Campbell’s Virginians taking the south route to Turkey Cove, and Shelby and Sevier’s men taking the north route to North Cove.

The museum has a display dedicated to the Overmountain Victory Trail in addition to their exhibits on the history of North Carolina minerals. There are two certified sections of OVNHT available to walk: a 1.8 mile section can be accessed up the hill behind the museum, and a 1.2 mile section of trail can be accessed across the road from the museum.

There are restrooms and a drinking fountain available inside.

The museum is open to the public year round, from 9am-5pm daily.

The scenic mountain highway idea originated long before the Blue Ridge Parkway project began. In 1906, Joseph Hyde Pratt, North Carolina's State Geologist, proposed a toll road following the crest of the Ridge mountains from Marion, Virginia to Tallulah, Georgia.

Pratt, anticipating rapid growth in the automobile industry, believed the new mobility would bring vacationers to the North Carolina mountains. In 1912 his Appalachian Highway Company began construction of the "Crest of the Blue Ridge Highway.” About eight miles of unpaved roadway were built before World War I halted construction. Years later, the concept of a scenic mountain parkway emerged again and gained national attention. The idea became reality in 1935 when the National Park Service began construction on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Swear Allegiance or Die?

In the fall of 1780, during the Revolutionary War, the American fight for independence was going badly. British Major Patrick Ferguson demanded allegiance to the King of England from the people living in the Carolina backcountry and the Appalachians. Referred to as the Overmountain area, these settlements were west of, or "over" the Appalachian Mountains. At that time, this was the boundary dividing the thirteen American colonies from the western frontier. The Overmountain area included parts of North Carolina, Virginia, and what is now Tennessee.

The Overmountain Men were originally reluctant to pick up arms for the Patriot cause. But when British Major Ferguson threatened to bring his army across the mountain to "hang their leaders, and lay waste to the land with fire and sword" if they did not swear allegiance to the King, the Overmountain Men were outraged. They decided to organize an attack against Major Ferguson. Troops were gathered in Sycamore Shoals, Tennessee, an outpost on the Watauga River, near present day Elizabethton, Tennessee. They then rode to the mountains of North Carolina.

On the evening of September 28th, nearly 1,000 rifle-armed, mounted militiamen reached the fields along Grassy Creek, North Carolina. These Overmountain soldiers were under the command of Colonel Isaac Shelby, Colonel John Sevier, Colonel William Campbell and Colonel Charles McDowell. They had completed a hard 20-mile ride that day from the top of snow-covered Yellow Mountain, following Bright’s Trace along the North Toe River to the mouth of Grassy Creek, near the modern-day town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina.

At Grassy Creek, they found an excellent place to make camp with plenty of fresh water available for the men and their horses. Over their campfires, they prepared a simple meal of parched corn and finished off the last of their beef rations. The next morning the officers formed their men up, ordered them to mount their horses, and rode out of camp.

Half the men rode with Colonel Campbell across the Blue Ridge through Gillespie and Lynn Gaps into Turkey Cove to seek out intelligence from suspected Loyalist Henry Gillespie. They crossed the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina. On the night of September 29, they camped near the present-day site of the Museum of North Carolina Minerals (Milepost 331) on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The other half of the men, under Colonel Shelby and Colonel Sevier, returned to the North Toe River and followed Roses Creek to Hefner Gap, where they crossed the Blue Ridge and descended into North Cove.

The battle between Major Ferguson's British troops and the Overmountain Men took place on October 7, 1780 at King’s Mountain, South Carolina. The Overmountain Men used silence and stealth as they ascended the ridge of King’s Mountain to surprise the enemy. The battle lasted only an hour. Afterwards, over 200 British soldiers lay dead, including Major Ferguson. Another 160 were wounded and roughly 700 prisoners had been taken.

The crucial Patriot victory at the Battle of King’s Mountain turned the tide of the Revolutionary War and set the nation on the road to independence.

Today, stretching 330 miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Follow the campaign on a commemorative motor route over highways marked with the distinctive trail logo or explore history by traversing 87 miles of walkable pathways.

The next highlight on the parkway is near milepost 86, called Peaks of Otter. Visitors to this part of the parkway follow a long-standing tradition of tourism. Starting in the 1800’s, the surrounding community opened their homes and lodges to guests hoping to relax and rejuvenate in the mountains. Modern visitors can stay the night at historic Peaks of Otter Lodge, explore the visitor center, visit Johnson Farm, or Polly Woods Ordinary, and of course there is always a trail that you can hike. Whether you stay an hour or the weekend, take in the cool air and incredible views that have drawn visitors for centuries.

This historic lodge offers 63 rooms, a full-service restaurant, and lounge. The lodge is typically open from spring to late fall, as well as weekends in the winter. The Lodge provides easy access to miles of hiking trails, nearby wineries, historic sites and museums. They have full-service dining and a lounge, all with scenic views. They have pet-friendly accommodations making Peaks of Otter Lodge the ideal place for you and your four-legged travel companion. And if it's a view of Abbott Lake and Sharp Top Mountain that you want, every room has that! While they don't have cell reception, and the WiFi capabilities are limited and weather dependent, The lodge gives you so many more ways to connect with your travel companions and with nature. So unplug from the outside world for a while and re-discover the peaceful tranquility of the Peaks of Otter.

Polly Wood’s Ordinary served travelers on the Buchanan to Liberty Turnpike and visitors to the Peaks of Otter from the early 1830s to the late 1850s. It is a good example of the simple, rather rough and ready, accommodation, which was characteristic of the period. The ordinary is a reminder that the Peaks of Otter settlement was not isolated, but has been visited by travelers throughout its history.

More than 4,000 acres of Blue Ridge Parkway lands are leased to neighboring farmers who use the land for pasture and for crops such as cabbage, corn, oats and hay.

The agricultural lease program began in the 1930s, during the Parkway's early planning stages. The program's intent is to preserve traditional Appalachian farm scenes adjacent to the Parkway motor road.

Although modern technology has altered farming methods, the rural scene remains a key aspect of the Parkway experience.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Before you lies the massive Plott Balsam Range. On one of its eastern slopes Henry Plott, a German immigrant’s son, made his home in the early 1800’s. In this game-filled frontier, hunting dogs were a prized possesion. Here Henry Plott and his descendants developed the famous Plott Bear Hounds carefully selecting for the qualities of stamina, courage, and alertness the breed possesses today

Erected by United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

Before you lies the massive Plott Balsam Range. On one of its eastern slopes Henry Plott, a German immigrant’s son, made his home in the early 1800’s. In this game-filled frontier, hunting dogs were a prized possesion. Here Henry Plott and his descendants developed the famous Plott Bear Hounds carefully selecting for the qualities of stamina, courage, and alertness the breed possesses today

Erected by United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

Born around 1837, “Aunt Orlean” Puckett is a local legend. She lived here with her husband, John. Aunt Orlean was revered as a midwife who successfully delivered more than 1,000 babies.

Orlean had 24 children of her own, but tragically, each one died in infancy. Many people speculate that this is why she worked so tirelessly to aid other mothers. “Aunt” Orlean Hawks Puckett died in 1939 at the age of 94 or 102, no one is quite sure which! (Not only is her age unknown, the spelling of her name varies based on the historical source.)

An informational wayside on the site explains, "Born in 1837, “Aunt” Orelena Hawks Puckett lived here during the latter of her 102 years. She was often heard to say, “The Forest was green when I was a-born and I’m green yet.” A bride at 16, Mrs. Puckett and her husband first farmed below nearby Groundhog Mountain.

Mrs. Puckett was past age 50 when she began a long career of midwifery. She assisted at the births of more than 1,000 babies, delivering the last in 1939, the year she died. It has been said she never lost a child or mother through her own fault. Ironically, none of Mrs. Puckett’s own 24 children lived beyond infancy.

Regardless of weather, “Aunt” Orelena went wherever and whenever called. Sometimes on horseback, often walking, the midwife brought assurance and kindness to all she visited. When she began her practice around 1890 her fee was one dollar, and “when time was good,” six dollars. Often receiving food or other goods in lieu of money, she generously shared all she had with neighbors or those in need. Today, Orelena Puckett is remembered in this area for her witty, cheerful personality, as well as for her unselfish and skillful practice as a midwife.”

Orlean and John Puckett lived in a larger house that was located in what is now the garden plot on this site. The cabin here currently was moved to the property for one of John’s sisters to live in. It is preserved by the National Park Service to keep the memory of Orlean alive.

A picnic at Groundhog Mountain comes with a side dish of great views—if you're willing to climb the old, wooden tower. With 28 picnic sites, there's room to spread out at Groundhog Mountain. But the site's main claim to fame is a large, log observation tower. Originally erected by the Virginia State Forest Service in 1942, it was used to view mountain ranges and look for hazards or fires. If you walk up the single flight of stairs to the top of the tower you will be rewarded with views of Buffalo Mountain, Rich Hill, and others.

Buffalo Mountain is a prominent peak in the distance. Mothers in the area use to tell their children that they could roam as they wished throughout the woods and hills of this area—as long as they could still spot the Buffalo.

In the field surrounding the tower, there are several styles of historic log fences. An informational wayside explains the different styles of fencing on the parkway and the benefits of each one. These fence displays were first constructed in 1939, by the Civilian Public Service Enrollees and have been maintained ever since.

All picnic sites at Groundhog Mountain have grills and there are restroom facilities.

From here you can see the Qualla Boundary, the 56,000-acre home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. It borders Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Cherokee originally held over 140,000 square miles in parts of eight states. By the 1820s they held only a small territory. In the 1830s most Cherokees were forced to Oklahoma over what became the Trail of Tears.

Forty-nine Cherokee households signed an 1819 treaty to stay in their ancestral homes as "Citizen Cherokees." With those who resisted removal they became the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. They later bought back some lands, and in 1889 the US government reserved the Qualla Boundary for them. The seat of Tribal government — executive, legislative, and judicial — is in Cherokee, North Carolina.

"To me, this region is the top of the whole world — the land of the Sky People. The skyline is in all directions and close at hand. It is a land of cold rushing rivers, small creeks, deep gorges, dark timber, and waterfalls. Great billowing clouds sail upon the mountains and in early morning a blue-gray mist hangs just above the treetops."

Cherokee traditional story

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

You are coming up on the Ravens Roost Overlook, near milepost 10.7. Elevation is 3200 feet at this site. It has a 4.9 rating, out of 5, after 591 reviews.

You are coming up on The Rice Mountain overlook, near Milepost 53.6. Elevation is 1755 feet at this site. With only 9 reviews, it has a 4.7 rating, out of 5.

Sitting at 6,053 feet above sea level, Richland Balsam is the highest point along the Blue Ridge Parkway motor road. Named for the red spruce and Fraser fir trees found here, known as the “he-balsam” and “she-balsam” respectively, this area features a forest type that resembles a Canadian wilderness. Since the late 1970s the forest has been affected by the balsam woolly adelgid, an invasive pest that has been killing Fraser fir trees.

The gorge is best seen from Rocky Knob's summit, where one can look into the valley 1800 feet below. An old road parallels the creek through the gorge. Initially a trail and later a wagon road, the old road has reverted to its former use as a hiking trail.

Six-sided crystals of colorless quartz occur here. The crystal shapes reminded settlers of castle towers, hence the name "Rock Castle."

The first settlers came before the American Revolution to farm the steep hills. The rocky soil yielded oats, corn, buckwheat, sorghum and apples. Chestnuts provided a cash crop for the farmers, as well as food for foraging hogs.

Frame houses replaced log cabins when sawmills began operating in the late 1880s.

At one time the gorge community boasted 30 families. By 1935, when the federal government began buying the land, only 12 families remained.

Although an occasional homestead remnant can still be seen, Rock Castle Gorge is slowly returning to its primeval state.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

You are coming up on the Rock Point Overlook, near milepost 10.4. Elevation is 3115 feet at this site. It has a 4.8 rating out of 5, after 183 reviews.

The Rockfish Valley View overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway offers a nearly 180º view of Rockfish Valley and the surrounding mountains. It might have too much valley and not enough mountains for some people, but for me, the rural valley communities are what makes the scene so interesting. Definitely recommended for a good view and photo.

Rising to 3,972 feet, Buffalo Mountain is an old and familiar landmark to local residents. Mothers would tell their children that they could go anywhere in a day as long as they could see "the buffalo." The great hump towers a thousand feet above the surrounding terrain. Other rock formations suggest the lowered head and vertical slabs make up the neck.

Buffalo Mountain can be seen at numerous intervals for 30 miles south along the parkway. Privately owned, the mountain was mined for lead for more than 50 years.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Saunders Farm was home to an African American family near the Peaks of Otter in Virginia (milepost 85). George Saunders purchased the 22-acre hillside property in May of 1912 from his parents, Edward and Mary Saunders, who had property nearby. George and his wife, Bettie, with their nine children, called the farm home until the mid-twentieth century.

The Saunders were primarily subsistence farmers, growing much of the food they ate. They did, however, have cash crops. The rocky slopes of the property made farming difficult, but a series of sixteen manmade terraces on the hillside made it possible for the Saunders to grow tomatoes. The Saunders then sold their tomatoes to a nearby cannery, with the proceeds used as "Christmas money." They built several other structures on their property as well that supported their agricultural practices, including a horse barn, and meat, hog, chicken, and corn houses.

Katherine Saunders West, the youngest of the nine children, recounted life as a young girl on Saunders Farm in a 2005 interview for an ethnographic assessment. Katherine remembered preparing food and cooking with her mother, Bettie, feeding the animals, and milking the cows. For fun, Katherine ran up and down the hill next to the house and played solitaire, checkers, and dominoes with her brothers. She even had a pet pig that she proudly took care of:

"My little pet pig just followed me around out here, 'cause I was the one to feed him... [He] would come to the kitchen door and come in there if the door was cracked."

In 1942, the Saunders sold their farm to the U.S. government, seven years after construction on the Blue Ridge Parkway began near Cumberland Knob in North Carolina. The family moved to nearby Thaxton, Virginia thereafter. Bettie Saunders died in 1961 at 75 years old. George Saunders died in 1969 at the age of 89.

There is currently no public access to the Saunders property.

Written by Ethan Crump

You are coming up on The Slacks Overlook, near milepost 19.9. Elevation is 2,800 feet at this site. With only 2 reviews, it has a 4.5 rating, out of 5.

Smart View Recreation Area is one of the five original recreation sites developed for the parkway. Stanley Abbott, the parkway's original Landscape Architect, noted this area as “an attractive meadow land with views of the escarpment framed by low hills on either side.” Construction began in 1938 and the site opened to the public in the fall of 1940.

In addition to offering “a right smart view” of the Piedmont, the picnic area is noted today for its abundance of dogwood trees and other flowering plants which blossom in spring. Like many sites in the early years of the parkway, Smart View once housed a gas station and sandwich shop. Over time as the surrounding towns began to offer these amenities, the gas station and shop were closed.

The picnic site contains 72 individual sites with grills, including several accessible sites. There are 2 comfort stations and a pavilion. Picnic sites are on a first come first served basis. The area is typically open from late May to late October. This site offers access to the Smart View Trail—2.6 mile moderate trail which loops around the area.

Stanley William Abbott was born in Yonkers, New York and his urbanist origins and close proximity to the largest city in the country left a lasting impression on him. His professional training was through Cornell University where he received a Bachelor of Arts. in landscape architecture. He was immediately employed to work with the Westchester County Parks Commission in New York.

Abbott's youth was not a deterrent to his appointment by two of the founders of parkway design, Jay Downer and Gilmore D. Clarke. When he was appointed to oversee the creation of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Abbott was already well-known in the small circle of landscape architect professionals. He gave landscape work his highest priority when prioritizing the maintenance projects of the New Deal Civilian Conservation Corps camp workers. Abbott, often described as a 'regionalist' found in Harold Ickes and others associated with the parkway design, an opportunity to extend his vision of an environmentally sensitive design plan that would preserve the cultural history found along the parkway route. His interest and expertise in park design and in land use planning can be seen in the early planning for the Blue Ridge Parkway.

On June 30th,19 36, Congress formally announced the establishment of the Blue Ridge Parkway with the act [Public Law 848]. The Parkway was placed under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service and Stanley Abbott was officially named the Resident Landscape Architect and the Acting Superintendent in March of the following year, 19 37. He was only 25 years old. He remained as the lead designer of the Parkway and its Superintendent until the outbreak of World War 2 when he was called into service for the war effort. Abbott was one of the founding members of the Society of Landscape Architects, the close circle of professionals. He was, by some accounts, an enlightened land manager and with R. Getty Browning, the North Carolina primary engineer, produced a parkway that remains one of the most significant examples of landscape architecture in the country.

The massive gray rock before you is Stone Mountain, formed about 350 million years ago from intense heat and pressure deep within the earth. Centuries of erosion uncovered the rock and sculptured it into the curious shape it is today.

At one time, the hard, granite surface of Stone Mountain attracted the attention of miners. The rock proved to be too difficult to mine and Stone Mountain was eventually donated to the state of North Carolina. Today it is protected as a state park.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

You are coming up on the Three Ridges Overlook, near milepost 13.1. Elevation is 2,800 feet at this site. It has a 4.7 rating, out of 5, after 65 reviews.

In June and July during corn-choppin time, this cliff serves the folks in White Rock community as a time piece. Twenty minutes after sunlight strikes the rock face, dusk falls on the valley below

Erected by United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

The next highlight is Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 115 at a place called Explore Park. It features hundreds of acres of rolling hills, pristine woodlands, hiking trails, river frontage, outdoor adventure and a visitor information center. You can Soar through the trees on the Treetop Quest aerial adventure course, featuring zip-lines and challenge obstacles for ages four and up. You can Stay overnight in a cabin, yurt, or primitive campsite. They have a Brewpub on the site. I suggest you Stop inside their visitor center to browse the gift shop featuring artisan crafts and parkway memorabilia. Parking at the Visitor Center and surrounding lots is FREE, however, other areas of the facility require payment or activity fees. I have attached a link to their website where you can save money by ordering online tickets rather than paying full price at the park. Ordering online also improves your chances of getting into the park activities because they are limiting the number of people into the park during COVID. The zip lines activity will cost a four year old 15 dollars and an adult 38 dollars at the gate. You can save 3 dollars per person by ordering online. I will make sure you know when you are approaching mile post 115 and the Explore Park entrance.

Waterrock Knob is truly a hidden gem on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located just 18 miles from the southern end of the Parkway and farther away from larger cities, it has a more remote and quiet feel to it. Perfect for escaping the crowds you sometimes find at other park locations!

Waterrock Knob has the highest elevation on the Parkway. The visitor center is located at 5,820 feet and the summit itself is 6,273 feet. A large open parking area can provide fantastic long-distance views anytime, but can be particularly stunning for sunrise and sunset. Fog and clouds are common here and temperatures are much cooler than in the surrounding valleys. High elevation deciduous trees mix with the spruce/fir forest to create this mountain retreat. Night owls also enjoy Waterrock Knob’s dark skies for star gazing. A visitor center, picnic tables, seasonal restrooms and a hike to the summit make this a hard to beat destination!

The trail to the summit and back is round trip a mile but the elevation gain is 460 feet so take your time and enjoy the walk. The first .2 miles are paved, leading to an uneven and, at times steep, dirt and rock path.

Abbie Rowe was a photographer for the National Park Service. With the end of World War II, interest in the Blue Ridge Parkway surged and staff at the parkway struggled to fulfill a flood of media requests for publicity photographs. In the spring of 1946, therefore, parkway staff arranged for Rowe to spend three weeks taking pictures on the parkway. Dates on Rowe’s 200 Blue Ridge Parkway photographs, however, indicate that this may have been only the first of several trips he made to the parkway from 1946 to 1952.

While certain locations, such as Bluff’s Coffee shop, Bluff’s Lodge, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, and Linville Falls, stand out as areas of focus for Rowe’s parkway visits, mileposts noted on his photographs indicate that he traversed much of the road. Rowe’s often stunning Blue Ridge Parkway photographs help today’s generation of parkway travelers look through a window to the past to see how previous generations of travelers experienced the “beauty and grandeur” of the parkway.

Rowe’s parkway photos range from scenic images highlighting the road’s natural setting to pictures of visitor facilities and travelers enjoying the road. Reporting on Rowe’s 1946 visit, Parkway Superintendent Sam Weems noted Rowe’s success in capturing visitors out of their cars – a type of image he noted would be needed “if we are to bring home to the motorist traveling the parkway the fact that their trips will be the more enjoyable for having stopped off for picnic lunches and hiking in the recreation areas enroute.”

In 1949, the National Park Service published the “Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia-North Carolina” brochure, which featured many of Rowe’s photographs.

The idea for the Blue Ridge Parkway was born when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited the newly constructed Skyline Drive in Virginia in 1933. Then U.S. Senator Harry Byrd of Virginia suggested to the president the road should be extended to connect with the recently established Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Roosevelt convened the governors of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee and asked that a planning team be created. On November 24, 1933, Interior Secretary Harold Ickes approved this “park-to-park” highway as a public works project.

With a budget of $16 million, Ickes hired Stanley Abbott, a New York landscape architect, to oversee the project, and Abbott’s vision of a chain of parks and recreational areas with preserved viewsheds began to take shape. A study was conducted to determine the best route for the Parkway with the recommendation being a leg of the highway from the Blowing Rock, NC, area extend over the Unaka Mountains into Tennessee, connecting with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The decision was met with great controversy, particularly by the city of Asheville, NC, which found itself in dire economic straits at the height of the Great Depression. The Asheville Chamber of Commerce and other city leaders joined forces to lobby against the proposed route in favor of a road that passed through their city. An intense campaign began in Washington with the states of Tennessee and North Carolina each vying for a different path for the Parkway.

The Asheville contingency employed the influential U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Josephus Daniels, to lobby on their behalf. Roosevelt had served under Daniels as Secretary of the Navy when Daniels was Defense Secretary under Woodrow Wilson, and the two men were friends. Daniels managed to sway the administration to favor the Asheville route and construction began September 11, 1935, near Cumberland Knob, North Carolina.

Most of the construction was done by private contractors, but a variety of New Deal public works programs were also employed, including the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the Emergency Relief Administration (ERA), and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). When World War II began, approximately 170 miles were open to travel and another 160 miles were under construction. By the early 1950s, only half of the Blue Ridge Parkway was completed.

In the mid-1950s, the National Park Service launched a ten-year development program, called Mission 66, to mark the 50th anniversary of the agency's creation. The plan included an accelerated effort to complete construction of the Parkway by 1966. This initiative was very successful, finishing all of the Parkway’s construction with the exception of 7.7 miles at Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina. Grandfather owner, Hugh Morton, objected to the proposed construction at Grandfather, citing the fragility of the mountain’s ecology.

After years of negotiating, the revolutionary Linn Cove Viaduct – which had been constructed from the top down to protect the mountain’s terrain – opened in 1987, completing the Blue Ridge Parkway’s continuous 469-mile route.

Tourism in the mountains is not new. In fact, it dates back into the mid-19th century and earlier, although it was certainly reserved for the wealthy in the early days. Many people, including those who pushed for mountain parks, spoke of the healthful or "salubrious" climate of the mountains. Many of the "healing springs" or resorts in the Virginia and North Carolina mountains date to this time period as well.

The Peaks of Otter, at Milepost 86 north of Roanoke, has a long history of attracting visitors. A hotel was built here in the 1850s and was remodeled numerous times before the current modern lodge was constructed.

Thomas Jefferson wrote of the Peaks of Otter in his Notes on the State of Virginia which he finished in 1781. We can forgive him for thinking that the Peaks were "of a greater height, measured from their base, than any others in our country, and perhaps in North America."

In 1864, Civil War Union soldiers from Hunters' Raid crossed the mountains at the Peaks, climbed up Sharp Top, and sounding like the modern visitor, noted "As far as the eyes can reach, a fine undulating country is seen. The Peaks of Otter is the finest sight for mountain scenery." Hunter's artillery commander, Capt. Henry A. du Pont, later wrote that "one of the most superb views on the whole American Continent lay before us."

Two years after the end of the Civil War, Robert E. Lee and his youngest daughter Mildred took a vacation that included a ride up Sharp Top Mountain. Lee rode Traveler, the horse that had carried him through most of the battles of the war, and Mildred rode Lucy Long, a family steed that had also been battle tested. "We sat for a long time on a great rock," Mildred recalled, "gazing down on the glorious prospect beneath." She noted that her father seemed lost in thought, very sad, and spoke few words.

Further south, the lure of these mountains is also evidenced by numerous summer and vacation homes built in the area. Two wealthy Americans of the Gilded Age, George Vanderbilt and Moses Cone, chose locations in the North Carolina mountains for their homes. Today's visitors can see the Cone's Flat Top Manor at Milepost 294. And a short hike from the Pisgah Inn at Milepost 408 will take you to the former site of George Vanderbilt's hunting lodge at Buck Spring. Nearby, in Asheville, you can also visit Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate.

As our nation's most-visited national park area, the Blue Ridge Parkway doesn't fit into Robert Frost's idea of the "less traveled road." Millions of visitors from throughout the world find the graceful curves and smooth surface of the Parkway a convenient and pleasurable way to enjoy the mountains from Shenandoah to the Great Smokies.

Constructing a beautifully engineered motor road in the rugged Appalachians was a remarkable feat, but roads have existed in many parts of these mountains as long as people have lived here. In fact, roads and transportation can always be closely linked to the history of a region and its people. Obviously created for more practical needs than the Parkway, these historic, "less traveled" byways across the Blue Ridge reveal much about the region's past.

Mountain passes and low-lying swags provided the easiest and most practical routes across the mountains first for animals such as deer and buffalo, and later for humans. These mountain "gaps" are lower areas with gentler slopes which occur at irregular intervals along the crest of the ridges. Native Americans used paths originally worn by animals, and these in turn became the obvious choices for early European settlers looking for convenient ways to cross the Blue Ridge.

America's population drifted west after 1790. Many of the western counties of Maryland and Virginia lost populations as families moved toward cheaper land and new opportunities. A map of the nation during this time period shows a network of roads heading west. In the Blue Ridge region, the primary ones were the Great Wagon Road through the Shenandoah Valley; the Richmond Road; and the Jonesboro Road across North Carolina. All of these routes crossed the mountains through strategic passes. These roads were little more than ten to thirty foot wide paths where most of the trees had been removed. But for thousands of settlers headed for Kentucky, Tennessee, and other choice places on the "frontier," these served as the interstate system of the day.

Nationally, and within the various states, the concept of "internal improvements" gained momentum during the 1830s and 1840s. In the mountainous western regions of Virginia and North Carolina, this popular idea resulted in the establishment of dozens of "turnpike companies" that built localized roads connected with the major thoroughfares. The turnpike movement was especially active in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley where more than a dozen turnpikes were built from 1830-1840.

Travel was always difficult in the southern mountains, as it was in other parts of rural America. The heart of the limited transportation and communication system here was a network of trails and dirt roads connecting mountain communities with larger markets down off of the mountains. This matrix of roads helped facilitate a regional market system, and as the new turnpike companies improved, widened, or constructed better roads, a fairly constant stream of traffic east and west kept many mountain communities in touch with national markets. Asheville, North Carolina was a small community in the nineteenth century when drovers annually herded hundreds of thousands of hogs from Tennessee and Kentucky to markets in the low country of South Carolina and Georgia.

Those who lived closest to the turnpikes had the obvious economic advantage of being able to sell surplus livestock to passing drivers or raising extra corn and produce to feed travelers and animals. Stockades, taverns, and country stores were bound to do better business if located close to the nearest turnpike. In an 1856 letter from Sherando, VA , a young Jane Lewis discusses her husbands' insistence of moving the family to a convenient location along the Howardsville Turnpike at the foot of Humpback Mountain. She acknowledges that this relocation "suits his business friends and he will make money," although she confides to her friend that making money "is not everything in this world."

The Howardsville Turnpike was a classic example of the mid nineteenth century attempts to create economic advantages by tying east to west across the Blue Ridge. Howardsville, VA was located on the east side of the Blue Ridge along the James River. The first section of the turnpike authorized by the state legislature in 1847 would, when completed, "connect with other important lines of roads" and facilitate transportation of clover seed gypsum, lime as well as connecting across the Blue Ridge to "regions abounding in iron ore. "Pleading their case for a new extension of the Turnpike, the company reported to state lawmakers that this new road would provide an easier grade "than any other road in the state crossing the Blue Ridge."They also reported that they had been "assured" of stagecoach service along the new road. When completed, the Howardsville Turnpike was carrying a daily caravan of several wagons or iron, one wagon of whiskey, and ten wagons of flour and corn from the Shenandoah Valley across the Blue Ridge to Howardsville for transportation to coastal markets along the James River. By 1850, the Howardsville and Rockfish Gap Turnpike Company was keeping a full time hired force with a superintendent "employed in thoroughly repairing the road for fall and winter travel."

The downfall of the turnpikes movement, especially those more localized operations that crossed the mountains, was the heightened development of the railroads across the states. By the late 1850s, many of the markets across the Blue Ridge were connected by rail with the coastal ports of Baltimore, Richmond, Charleston, and Savannah. Rail traffic was faster and much less susceptible to delays due to bad weather. Legislatures were much more willing to invest funds in rail than in roads.

Many of the nineteenth century turnpikes that crossed the Blue Ridge still exist, although they have usually lost their original names and are referenced only by a road number. Occasionally, however, while roaming the back roads of rural mountain counties or thumbing through your state gazetteer, you may come across references to turnpikes or stockroads lingering from past generations.Even though these may have been the"the road less traveled," and nothing compared to modern roads including the Blue Ridge Parkway, they played a major role in the development of mountain communities and the region's heritage.

The Parkway conserves diverse and important examples of architecture, industry, and transportation associated with the people and communities of the mountains in southern Appalachia. The Parkway contains, and is challenged to manage, a diverse range of cultural resources, including 91 buildings, 2 sites, and 133 other structures that contribute to the Parkway's eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The parkway preserves a variety of historic buildings, either as interpretive exhibits or as picturesque roadside features. With the exception of the imposing neoclassical estate of textile magnate Moses Cone, the structures tend to be modest structures, mostly simple log cabins. The early parkway planners thought the log cabin symbolized pioneer Appalachia, and preserved or relocated a good number of log structures to points along the road. Ironically, they removed a number of earlier frame houses because they did not meet their stereotypical vision of the Appalachian past.

Parkway planners adopted their own variant of the prevailing "rustic style" of architecture adopted in the national parks. They wanted their own structures to reflect the architecture of the region, and consequently took on the forms of cabins, sheds, and barns in order to enhance a "backwoods feeling." Structures employed timber beam construction, shake roofs, stone chimneys and exterior porches. Even the "driftwood gray" color was specified to present a weathered appearance. With few exceptions, even modern structures along the parkway, such as the 1989 Linn Cove Visitor Center or the 1999 Everhardt Headquarters Building at Asheville continue to reflect "pioneer" architecture through their use of native materials, allowing them to harmonize with the rugged landscape.

Text excerpted from "Highways in Harmony" publication produced by Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), in cooperation with the National Park Foundation.

The city of Roanoke — the historic crossroads of western Virginia — lies in the distance. First established in 1825, it was called "Big Lick" after a nearby marsh where animals found abundant salt licks.

In the early 1880s, the little town became a railroad hub and the headquarters for the Norfolk & Western Railroad. Almost overnight the community's population soared to 25,000 and Big Lick was renamed Roanoke. Today, the city is the largest in western Virginia and boasts of a metropolitan population in excess of 225,000.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Music is a natural part of these mountains, and nowhere is that heritage felt more strongly than at the Blue Ridge Music Center. People here have kept alive and created some of the richest traditions of folk music and dance in our nation. Enjoy live music daily in the breezeway or at a weekend concert in the summer or fall. The Music Center is also at the crossroads of two music heritage routes: Virginia’s The Crooked Road and the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina.

Visit Center and Museum: Talk to a ranger and explore the “Roots of American Music” exhibits, which trace the diversity of American music roots to the region. Take in daily mountain music performances in the music center’s breezeway or weekend concerts in the 3000-seat outdoor amphitheater during summer and fall. Stretch your legs on the 1.35-mile High Meadow Trail or the moderate 2.24-mile Fisher Peak Loop. The Fisher Peak Loop is also a Kids In Parks TRACK trail.

Your next highlight on the parkway is "The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center", at milepost 384. The visitor center is a one-stop shop for all things Blue Ridge Parkway. Get a map, talk to a ranger, pick up some merchandise, learn about other area offerings, and explore parkway-themed exhibits. Hiking includes a short loop with access to the Mountains-to-Sea trail. This is one of the few visitor centers that is open year round. For anyone looking to start their parkway trip from Asheville, the visitor center is a must-see. Watch for milepost 384 and the Blue Ridge Parkway center.

Craggy Gardens is a popular, high elevation destination 20 miles north of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway. At 5,500 feet, the gorgeous and expansive views are some of the Parkway’s finest. Part of the Great Craggy Mountains, strong winds, fog, and harsh winters have shaped the area, producing stunted, twisted trees and wildlife that is uniquely adapted to this different environment. The name Craggy comes from jagged rock outcroppings or “crags” found here and the shrubs and grasses of the summit balds give the area a “garden” feel. And while colorful wildflowers can be seen from April through October, the highlight comes in June when the spectacular purple and pink blooms of the Catawba rhododendron are at their peak.

A visitor center, picnic area, and hiking trails provide plenty to do for a short stop or an all day visit. Craggy Gardens can be a very busy location, especially in the fall when the leaves turn color.

The next highlight on the parkway is at milepost 422, called Devils Courthouse. Rising above the surrounding spruce forest at an imposing 5,720 feet, this dark mass of exposed rock seems to almost hang over its surroundings. According to Cherokee legend, a powerful mountain giant named Judaculla danced and held court in an underground chamber beneath the rock. A strenuous half-mile trail leads visitors to the very top of this fabled dance hall, where, on a clear day, sweeping views stretch into North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.

But it’s not just a pretty view. Devils Courthouse also provides habitat for a variety of rare, high-altitude species that migrated here during the last Ice Age. With ample heat rising from the valley, it’s also the perfect territory for birds of prey, including peregrine falcons who nest on the side of the rock’s face—but they’ll only return if their home is left undisturbed. Due to this area’s unique ecology, it is critical that casual visitors and serious hikers alike follow all posted signs and trail regulations, like no climbing on the rock outcroppings and remaining behind the established wall at the trail’s end. By staying on the trail, we can ensure that these natural wonders remain protected for years to come. I will let you know when you are getting close to milepost 422, so that you don’t miss this highlight on the parkway.

The next highlight is The Folk Art Center at milepost 382. It is a great place to Discover Appalachian arts and crafts. In season, daily craft demonstrations give visitors the chance to see folk art being made, and to talk to the craftsmen as they work. Year-round, visitors can wander through the modern folk art gallery or chat with a ranger. Watch for the Folk Art Center at milepost 382.

Humpback Rocks illustrates the blend of cultural and natural features that defines the rest of the parkway. Hike to high rock outcroppings or explore 1890s farm buildings relocated during parkway construction. Start your trip at the visitor center and learn about the many aspects of mountain life that defy stereotypes. During Parkway construction, landscape architects collected historic buildings from the surrounding area and placed them at Humpback Rocks for convenient viewing. Although not in their original location, these buildings help tell the story of early life in the mountains. Tour the collection on a short walk from the visitor center. Buildings open and staffed in summer.

You are coming up on one of my favorite sites near milepost 63.6, called The James River Picnic Area and Visitor Center. I like the history of this site. Sometimes called the “River Where America Began," travelers have used the James River for thousands of years to move around what is now called Virginia. You can Explore the remnants of George Washington’s vision to connect the Atlantic Ocean with the Ohio River Valley - the James River and Kanawha Canal.

Sitting at the lowest elevation on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the "James River Picnic Area" provides shaded, riverside dining on the steep banks of the James River. Spread over a half an acre, you can find a table and grill to share a meal and some time with your family and friends.

Popular activities include fishing - socializing - hiking - and wildlife viewing. Families enjoy completing the Kids in Parks TRACK trail brochures. Due to the low elevation, and nearby river habitat, the picnic area is home to many species of plants and animals found in few other places, on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Keep your eyes out for river otters, bald eagles, turtles, cormorants, muskrats, and other aquatic animals. Three trails depart from here, including the 0.4 mile Canal Loop, the 0.5 mile Trail of Trees loop, and the 3.3 mile (one way) Otter Creek Trail. The nearby James River Visitor Center has restrooms, but no potable water. For those of you collecting badges, you can pick one up at this visitor center. I will be sure to let you know when you are getting close to the James River Picnic Area and Visitor Center at milepost 63.6.

Julian Price Memorial Park is named after its former owner, insurance giant Julian Price. Price bought the 4,200 acres as a recreational retreat for his employees; after his untimely death in 1946, his heirs donated the land to the parkway as a memorial. Now, Price Park is a popular parkway destination, with plenty of opportunities to hike, fish canoe, camp, and picnic.

Julian Price Campground sits beside Price Lake, a pristine body of water that sparkles against the backdrop of rolling mountains. The surrounding forest offers a colorful assortment of wildflowers in the spring and vivid orange and red foliage in the fall.

There are two types of TRACK Trails at Price Lake—hiking and paddling. Enjoy a boating trip around a 47-acre mountain lake or take a stroll along the water's edge.

Whether hiking or boating, Julian Price Lake is a beautiful spot. The hiking trail is a hard-packed dirt trail in most areas surrounded by rhododendron. The trail weaves in and out along the shore of the lake providing several access points to the clear sparkling water. Wooden boardwalks and foot bridges help with areas where the path traverses areas of beaver activity. Beaver gnawed tree stumps are commonly spotted along the trail, along with wood ducks floating on the lake.

By water, boaters can circle the 47-acre lake on gentle rocking waters sliding up into coves and exploring streams that feed the lake with cold water. The openness of the lake is a bright sparkling landscape on a sunny day.

Canoes can be rented at the lake, and a dock offers opportunities for fishing. Area hiking trails include Price Lake, Boone Fork, Green Knob, and Tanawha trails. Campers may see bears, grouse, turkeys, owls, hawks and more. I will make sure to let you know when you are getting close to the Julian Price Park near milepost 297.1

As the last piece of the parkway to be completed, the Linn Cove Viaduct is a marvelous feat of engineering and environmental protection. Completed in 1983, at a cost of almost $10 million, the Linn Cove Viaduct is 1,243 feet long and contains 153 segments weighing 50 tons each. The American Society of Civil Engineers designated it a National Civil Engineering Landmark.

Establishing the Route

The exact route location of this segment, commonly referred to as the "missing link,” created a lengthy and heated controversy between private individuals and the National Park Service. Finally, North Carolina Governor Dan K. Moore negotiated a compromise location. A key factor in this controversy was environmental concern over Grandfather Mountain. Engineers were faced with a serious question: How do you build a road at an elevation of 4,100 feet without damaging one of the world's oldest mountains?

National Park Service landscape architects and Federal Highway Administration engineers agreed the road should be elevated, or bridged, where possible to eliminate massive cuts and fills. Figg and Muller Engineers, Inc. developed the bridge design and construction method. The result: the most complicated concrete bridge ever built, snaking around boulder-strewn Linn Cove in a sweeping "S" curve.

Constructing with Care

In order to prevent environmental damage and to allow construction to continue during severe winter weather, builders pre-cast sections indoors a few miles from the site using a process known as "match casting." Each new segment was cast against the segment preceding it.

The viaduct itself was the only access road for construction. Each pre-cast section was lowered by a stiff-leg crane and epoxied into position against the preceding segment. Steel cables threaded through the segments secured the entire bridge deck.

The viaduct was constructed from the top down to minimize disturbance to the natural environment. This method eliminated the need for a "pioneer road" and heavy equipment on the ground. The only construction that occurred at ground level was the drilling of foundations for the seven permanent piers, on which the Viaduct rests. Exposed rock was covered to prevent staining from concrete, epoxy, or grout. Tinted with iron oxide, the concrete blends in with the existing rock outcroppings. The only trees cut were those directly beneath the superstructure.

Timeline of Completion

Although the Blue Ridge Parkway’s construction began in 1935, construction of the Linn Cove Viaduct was delayed until 1979, when Congress finally approved funding. In the meantime, other portions of the "missing link," most of them north of the Viaduct, were completed bit-by-bit between 1968 and 1987. In addition to 12 bridges, the 7.5 mile section includes a dozen parking overlooks and the 13.5 mile Tanawha Trail, stretching from Beacon Heights to Julian Price Park.

A ribbon-cutting dedication ceremony on September 11, 1987, heralded the completion of the Parkway and the end, too, of a narrow and crooked 14-mile detour around Grandfather Mountain via the Tonahlossee Trail (U.S. 221). The final section is not only a triumph of engineering and sensitivity to the environment; it is a joy to drive, safe but thrilling. Hugging the contours and Grandfather Mountain, the road gently curves and rolls, presenting motorists with magnificent views as it sweeps toward the sky.

The Linville River flows from its headwaters high on the steep slopes of Grandfather Mountain and cascades through two falls as it begins a nearly 2,000 foot descent through this rugged and spectacularly beautiful gorge. Known by the Cherokee as "the river of many cliffs," Linville Gorge was the nation's first officially designated wilderness area. Towering hemlocks, dense stands of rhododendron, and native wildflowers grow along the trails that begin at the visitor center and encircle the falls.

The next highlight on the parkway is Mabry Mill, near milepost 176. The sights and sounds of Rural Appalachia fill the air at Mabry Mill during the summer and fall. Mr. Ed Mabry built the mill, where he, and his wife Lizzy, ground corn, sawed lumber, and did blacksmithing for three decades. The old mill, cultural demonstrations, and a decades-long tradition of "Sunday afternoon music and dancing" continue to draw visitors today. Mabry Mill is One of the most picturesque places on the Parkway. Mabry’s original saw mill and black smith shop still stand as well. Another point of interest is Matthew’s cabin. Although it is Not one of the original Mabry buildings - Parkway designers re located the historic cabin from close by. Now, Matthew’s cabin adds to the area’s picturesque and historic nature. In summer and fall, catch up with rangers and volunteers during cultural demonstrations.

Take a break from driving with a short walk by the mill or enjoy some country fare at the restaurant. You can Enjoy simple but delicious country fare, inspired by rural Appalachia. Breakfast is served all day, with classic lunch and dinner entrees as well. Be sure to watch for Mabry mill near milepost 176.

Moses Cone rose from immigrant roots to become a leading industrialist during America's Gilded Age.

The story of the Cone family begins with Moses’ father, Herman Kahn, who immigrated to America from Bavaria, Germany in 1846, when he was 17 years old. Herman first settled in Richmond, Virginia, and Americanized his name from Kahn to Cone. After a few years he relocated to Jonesboro, Tennessee, where he opened a retail grocery store. He married Helen Guggenheimer, who, like he, was of German Jewish heritage. The eldest of their thirteen children, Moses, was born in Jonesboro, Tennessee on June 29, 1857.

In 1870, Herman Cone moved his family to Baltimore, Maryland seeking better economic opportunities following the Civil War. In Baltimore, he opened a wholesale grocery. Moses began his career in his father’s business. Moses and his brother Caesar, worked as travelling salesman for their father, and eventually became partners in the business, H. Cone and Sons.

Travelling throughout the South for the family business, Moses and Caesar developed strong ties with company stores in the region’s numerous textile mills. In 1891, the brothers started their own business, Cone Export & Commission Company, which sold textile products from smaller, independent southern mills to a wider market. They charged a 5 percent commission on these sales transactions.

Expanding their textile business further, Moses and Caesar opened Proximity Manufacturing Company in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1895. This cotton mill, which produced denim fabric, was named for its closeness—or proximity—to the raw materials needed for manufacturing cotton textiles, and to the railway lines required for transportation.

As their business continued to grow, the brothers opened and purchased additional mills, eventually becoming the leading makers of high-quality denim, corduroy, and flannel. During Moses’ lifetime, the brothers’ mills produced one third of the world’s supply of denim fabric, earning Moses the nickname, the “Denim King.”

Moses Cone married Bertha Lindau on February 15, 1888. Their economic success enabled the couple to develop Flat Top Manor, a country estate located in the cool and healthful air of the mountains in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. It was to become a testament to the wealth and influence attained by Moses Cone and his family.

Moses’ vision for the estate was influenced by his great regard for the natural landscape. He purchased the first piece of land in Blowing Rock in 1892 and eventually acquired nearly 3,600 acres for his estate. Following the example of other Gilded Age industrialists, Moses sought to build a country refuge where he and Bertha could relax from the stress of their business and reconnect with nature.

Construction of the family home began in 1899 and was completed in early 1901. While other wealthy men were busy building French-style chateaus and homes reminiscent of European estates, Moses and Bertha modeled their home on the American past, building a relatively modest home in the Beaux-Arts style. It may have been a conscious expression of the couple’s desire to distance themselves from their German Jewish immigrant roots and be seen as “American.”

Flat Top Manor was a designed as summer home where Moses and Bertha could enjoy the mountains and entertain guests. The couple spent winters in Baltimore, Maryland. The manor house was large compared to most American homes, containing about 14,000 square feet of living space on three floors. Its 23 rooms included 11 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a billiard room, music room, and library. Shady porches, leaded glass windows, and 11 fireplaces graced the house.

The house had all the modern amenities available in a rural location in America. This included telephones, a servants’ call system, indoor plumbing with cold and hot running water, a central wood-fired heating system, and a state-of-the-art carbide gas lighting system. Electricity was run to the house in 1927, about 25 years after it was built.

A staff of African American servants worked for the family inside the house. They included cooks, laundry maids, chambermaids, parlor maids, a butler and in later years a chauffeur. These staff members lived in two cottages located behind the manor house.

Recreational facilities outside the house included a bowling alley, tennis court, and formal croquet lawn. But the crown jewel of the estate was an extensive system of carriage roads that Moses and Bertha designed. Totaling 25 miles, these roads were used for both the pleasure of the family and for maintaining the large estate. The Cones also built three lakes on their property, which were stocked with bass or trout. The largest was Bass Lake—which is the centerpiece of the beautiful view from the manor house.

Moses Cone considered himself to be a gentleman farmer. He established agricultural enterprises on the estate in hopes that Flat Top Manor would eventually become financially self sufficient. He directed the planting of commercial apple orchards and maintained herds of sheep and beef cows on the estate. Bertha later established a small dairy operation on the farm. Thirty-two local families who worked in the orchards and farm operations lived in simple cottages scattered around the estate.

While many land barons kept their estates private, Moses Cone chose to open the grounds of Flat Top Manor to the local community—opening the gates at 8:00 AM each morning and closing them at 6:00 PM each evening. People were welcome to walk or ride horses on the carriage trails and explore his estate, though restrictions were placed on picking flowers or hunting on the property.

In 1906, Moses and Bertha took a year-long trip around the world. The trip began in Europe and ended in Asia. While on this trip, Moses developed health problems, including chest pains and indigestion. After returning to the United States in 1907, Moses was evaluated at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and was diagnosed with heart problems.

Moses died unexpectedly on December 8, 1908 as a result of heart disease. He was just 51 years old. Moses was buried on his estate in the family cemetery, at a site which he had selected during his lifetime.

Bertha Cone outlived her husband by 39 years. She took over management of Flat Top Manor after his death and proved herself to be a very competent manager of the estate, continuing to fulfill the dreams that Moses had for his beloved Flat Top Manor. During this time, she also received an annual income based on her husband’s co-ownership of the Cone business.

Flat Top Manor remained Bertha’s summer home for the remainder of her life. She was often joined by her two sisters, Clementine and Sophie, and other family members during her summers at the estate.

Bertha died at Flat Top Manor on June 8, 1947 at the age of 89. The couple had no children, so in accordance with an indenture made by the family in 1911, funds from the estate were used to build the Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina, home to the family's textile mills. Construction of the hospital began in 1949 and the facility opened to the public in 1953.

Ownership of Flat Top Manor was also transferred to the Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, which was charged with operating the estate as a “public pleasuring ground”--essentially a free public park. Shortly thereafter, the hospital donated Flat Top Manor to the National Park Service to become a part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Today Flat Top Manor is preserved as the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. You can visit Flat Top Manor, located near Blowing Rock, NC, at Milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The next highlight on the parkway is the "Moses H. Cone Memorial Park" near milepost 294. Textile magnate Moses H. Cone built this summer retreat with his wife, Bertha, at the turn of the 20th century. In 19 forty-nine, the family donated the estate, which is listed on the Register of Historic Places, to the National Park Service. You can Visit Flat Top Manor and estate, now known as the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, for the perfectly curated and winding carriage trails, historic manor, and Southern Highland Craft Guild craft shop. You can Join a ranger, to learn more about the Cone family, and the estate that they built in the mountains.

Moses Cone carefully laid out 25 miles of carriage trails, for gentle curves and magnificent views. Although partially overgrown with time, these carriage trails are a great way to step back in history and enjoy nature at the same time. I have attached a map of the park to your device. I will make sure to let you know when you are getting close to the "Moses H. Cone Memorial Park" near milepost 294.

Towering above the surrounding forest at an impressive 6,684 feet above sea level, Mount Mitchell is the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River.

The mountain was first measured by Elisha Mitchell, a science professor at the University of North Carolina, in 1835. Through a combination of barometric pressure readings and mathematical formulas, Mitchell was able to calculate the height of the summit—which would eventually bear his name—to within 12 feet of today’s measurements.

Mount Mitchell became North Carolina’s first state park in 1915. Parkway visitors can take a side trip to the state park to enjoy breathtaking views from the summit’s observation deck, visit the museum and restaurant, or take a scenic hike through the Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest—which can only be found a few places on earth.

The next highlight on the parkway is Mount Pisgah at milepost 408. It has something for everyone. It has 6 different Hiking trails, a nice Campground, plenty of Picnic tables, and a Restaurant. And the Views are second to none. The only thing Mount Pisgah does not have is a Visitor Center. Mount Pisgah is the only lodge on the parkway in North Carolina. Mount Pisgah area is the perfect place to spend a day...or two. I will be sure to let you know when you are getting close to Mount Pisgah near mile post 408.

Although the Mineral Museum was not around when the Overmountain Men were on the campaign, the ground where it stands certainly was. Gillespie Gap was the place where the Patriot commanding officers had to make a difficult decision. They thought that Ferguson might be marching to meet them, and there were two roads down the mountain. If Ferguson took the opposite road up as they were taking their road down, they could be trapped from behind. However to split the group meant there would be a possibility of meeting Ferguson with diminished forces. They chose to split the militia, with Campbell’s Virginians taking the south route to Turkey Cove, and Shelby and Sevier’s men taking the north route to North Cove.

The museum has a display dedicated to the Overmountain Victory Trail in addition to their exhibits on the history of North Carolina minerals. There are two certified sections of OVNHT available to walk: a 1.8 mile section can be accessed up the hill behind the museum, and a 1.2 mile section of trail can be accessed across the road from the museum.

There are restrooms and a drinking fountain available inside.

The museum is open to the public year round, from 9am-5pm daily.

Swear Allegiance or Die?

In the fall of 1780, during the Revolutionary War, the American fight for independence was going badly. British Major Patrick Ferguson demanded allegiance to the King of England from the people living in the Carolina backcountry and the Appalachians. Referred to as the Overmountain area, these settlements were west of, or "over" the Appalachian Mountains. At that time, this was the boundary dividing the thirteen American colonies from the western frontier. The Overmountain area included parts of North Carolina, Virginia, and what is now Tennessee.

The Overmountain Men were originally reluctant to pick up arms for the Patriot cause. But when British Major Ferguson threatened to bring his army across the mountain to "hang their leaders, and lay waste to the land with fire and sword" if they did not swear allegiance to the King, the Overmountain Men were outraged. They decided to organize an attack against Major Ferguson. Troops were gathered in Sycamore Shoals, Tennessee, an outpost on the Watauga River, near present day Elizabethton, Tennessee. They then rode to the mountains of North Carolina.

On the evening of September 28th, nearly 1,000 rifle-armed, mounted militiamen reached the fields along Grassy Creek, North Carolina. These Overmountain soldiers were under the command of Colonel Isaac Shelby, Colonel John Sevier, Colonel William Campbell and Colonel Charles McDowell. They had completed a hard 20-mile ride that day from the top of snow-covered Yellow Mountain, following Bright’s Trace along the North Toe River to the mouth of Grassy Creek, near the modern-day town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina.

At Grassy Creek, they found an excellent place to make camp with plenty of fresh water available for the men and their horses. Over their campfires, they prepared a simple meal of parched corn and finished off the last of their beef rations. The next morning the officers formed their men up, ordered them to mount their horses, and rode out of camp.

Half the men rode with Colonel Campbell across the Blue Ridge through Gillespie and Lynn Gaps into Turkey Cove to seek out intelligence from suspected Loyalist Henry Gillespie. They crossed the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina. On the night of September 29, they camped near the present-day site of the Museum of North Carolina Minerals (Milepost 331) on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The other half of the men, under Colonel Shelby and Colonel Sevier, returned to the North Toe River and followed Roses Creek to Hefner Gap, where they crossed the Blue Ridge and descended into North Cove.

The battle between Major Ferguson's British troops and the Overmountain Men took place on October 7, 1780 at King’s Mountain, South Carolina. The Overmountain Men used silence and stealth as they ascended the ridge of King’s Mountain to surprise the enemy. The battle lasted only an hour. Afterwards, over 200 British soldiers lay dead, including Major Ferguson. Another 160 were wounded and roughly 700 prisoners had been taken.

The crucial Patriot victory at the Battle of King’s Mountain turned the tide of the Revolutionary War and set the nation on the road to independence.

Today, stretching 330 miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Follow the campaign on a commemorative motor route over highways marked with the distinctive trail logo or explore history by traversing 87 miles of walkable pathways.

The next highlight on the parkway is near milepost 86, called Peaks of Otter. Visitors to this part of the parkway follow a long-standing tradition of tourism. Starting in the 1800’s, the surrounding community opened their homes and lodges to guests hoping to relax and rejuvenate in the mountains. Modern visitors can stay the night at historic Peaks of Otter Lodge, explore the visitor center, visit Johnson Farm, or Polly Woods Ordinary, and of course there is always a trail that you can hike. Whether you stay an hour or the weekend, take in the cool air and incredible views that have drawn visitors for centuries.

This historic lodge offers 63 rooms, a full-service restaurant, and lounge. The lodge is typically open from spring to late fall, as well as weekends in the winter. The Lodge provides easy access to miles of hiking trails, nearby wineries, historic sites and museums. They have full-service dining and a lounge, all with scenic views. They have pet-friendly accommodations making Peaks of Otter Lodge the ideal place for you and your four-legged travel companion. And if it's a view of Abbott Lake and Sharp Top Mountain that you want, every room has that! While they don't have cell reception, and the WiFi capabilities are limited and weather dependent, The lodge gives you so many more ways to connect with your travel companions and with nature. So unplug from the outside world for a while and re-discover the peaceful tranquility of the Peaks of Otter.

Polly Wood’s Ordinary served travelers on the Buchanan to Liberty Turnpike and visitors to the Peaks of Otter from the early 1830s to the late 1850s. It is a good example of the simple, rather rough and ready, accommodation, which was characteristic of the period. The ordinary is a reminder that the Peaks of Otter settlement was not isolated, but has been visited by travelers throughout its history.

Born around 1837, “Aunt Orlean” Puckett is a local legend. She lived here with her husband, John. Aunt Orlean was revered as a midwife who successfully delivered more than 1,000 babies.

Orlean had 24 children of her own, but tragically, each one died in infancy. Many people speculate that this is why she worked so tirelessly to aid other mothers. “Aunt” Orlean Hawks Puckett died in 1939 at the age of 94 or 102, no one is quite sure which! (Not only is her age unknown, the spelling of her name varies based on the historical source.)

An informational wayside on the site explains, "Born in 1837, “Aunt” Orelena Hawks Puckett lived here during the latter of her 102 years. She was often heard to say, “The Forest was green when I was a-born and I’m green yet.” A bride at 16, Mrs. Puckett and her husband first farmed below nearby Groundhog Mountain.

Mrs. Puckett was past age 50 when she began a long career of midwifery. She assisted at the births of more than 1,000 babies, delivering the last in 1939, the year she died. It has been said she never lost a child or mother through her own fault. Ironically, none of Mrs. Puckett’s own 24 children lived beyond infancy.

Regardless of weather, “Aunt” Orelena went wherever and whenever called. Sometimes on horseback, often walking, the midwife brought assurance and kindness to all she visited. When she began her practice around 1890 her fee was one dollar, and “when time was good,” six dollars. Often receiving food or other goods in lieu of money, she generously shared all she had with neighbors or those in need. Today, Orelena Puckett is remembered in this area for her witty, cheerful personality, as well as for her unselfish and skillful practice as a midwife.”

Orlean and John Puckett lived in a larger house that was located in what is now the garden plot on this site. The cabin here currently was moved to the property for one of John’s sisters to live in. It is preserved by the National Park Service to keep the memory of Orlean alive.

A picnic at Groundhog Mountain comes with a side dish of great views—if you're willing to climb the old, wooden tower. With 28 picnic sites, there's room to spread out at Groundhog Mountain. But the site's main claim to fame is a large, log observation tower. Originally erected by the Virginia State Forest Service in 1942, it was used to view mountain ranges and look for hazards or fires. If you walk up the single flight of stairs to the top of the tower you will be rewarded with views of Buffalo Mountain, Rich Hill, and others.

Buffalo Mountain is a prominent peak in the distance. Mothers in the area use to tell their children that they could roam as they wished throughout the woods and hills of this area—as long as they could still spot the Buffalo.

In the field surrounding the tower, there are several styles of historic log fences. An informational wayside explains the different styles of fencing on the parkway and the benefits of each one. These fence displays were first constructed in 1939, by the Civilian Public Service Enrollees and have been maintained ever since.

All picnic sites at Groundhog Mountain have grills and there are restroom facilities.

Saunders Farm was home to an African American family near the Peaks of Otter in Virginia (milepost 85). George Saunders purchased the 22-acre hillside property in May of 1912 from his parents, Edward and Mary Saunders, who had property nearby. George and his wife, Bettie, with their nine children, called the farm home until the mid-twentieth century.

The Saunders were primarily subsistence farmers, growing much of the food they ate. They did, however, have cash crops. The rocky slopes of the property made farming difficult, but a series of sixteen manmade terraces on the hillside made it possible for the Saunders to grow tomatoes. The Saunders then sold their tomatoes to a nearby cannery, with the proceeds used as "Christmas money." They built several other structures on their property as well that supported their agricultural practices, including a horse barn, and meat, hog, chicken, and corn houses.

Katherine Saunders West, the youngest of the nine children, recounted life as a young girl on Saunders Farm in a 2005 interview for an ethnographic assessment. Katherine remembered preparing food and cooking with her mother, Bettie, feeding the animals, and milking the cows. For fun, Katherine ran up and down the hill next to the house and played solitaire, checkers, and dominoes with her brothers. She even had a pet pig that she proudly took care of:

"My little pet pig just followed me around out here, 'cause I was the one to feed him... [He] would come to the kitchen door and come in there if the door was cracked."

In 1942, the Saunders sold their farm to the U.S. government, seven years after construction on the Blue Ridge Parkway began near Cumberland Knob in North Carolina. The family moved to nearby Thaxton, Virginia thereafter. Bettie Saunders died in 1961 at 75 years old. George Saunders died in 1969 at the age of 89.

There is currently no public access to the Saunders property.

Written by Ethan Crump

Smart View Recreation Area is one of the five original recreation sites developed for the parkway. Stanley Abbott, the parkway's original Landscape Architect, noted this area as “an attractive meadow land with views of the escarpment framed by low hills on either side.” Construction began in 1938 and the site opened to the public in the fall of 1940.

In addition to offering “a right smart view” of the Piedmont, the picnic area is noted today for its abundance of dogwood trees and other flowering plants which blossom in spring. Like many sites in the early years of the parkway, Smart View once housed a gas station and sandwich shop. Over time as the surrounding towns began to offer these amenities, the gas station and shop were closed.

The picnic site contains 72 individual sites with grills, including several accessible sites. There are 2 comfort stations and a pavilion. Picnic sites are on a first come first served basis. The area is typically open from late May to late October. This site offers access to the Smart View Trail—2.6 mile moderate trail which loops around the area.

The next highlight is Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 115 at a place called Explore Park. It features hundreds of acres of rolling hills, pristine woodlands, hiking trails, river frontage, outdoor adventure and a visitor information center. You can Soar through the trees on the Treetop Quest aerial adventure course, featuring zip-lines and challenge obstacles for ages four and up. You can Stay overnight in a cabin, yurt, or primitive campsite. They have a Brewpub on the site. I suggest you Stop inside their visitor center to browse the gift shop featuring artisan crafts and parkway memorabilia. Parking at the Visitor Center and surrounding lots is FREE, however, other areas of the facility require payment or activity fees. I have attached a link to their website where you can save money by ordering online tickets rather than paying full price at the park. Ordering online also improves your chances of getting into the park activities because they are limiting the number of people into the park during COVID. The zip lines activity will cost a four year old 15 dollars and an adult 38 dollars at the gate. You can save 3 dollars per person by ordering online. I will make sure you know when you are approaching mile post 115 and the Explore Park entrance.

Waterrock Knob is truly a hidden gem on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located just 18 miles from the southern end of the Parkway and farther away from larger cities, it has a more remote and quiet feel to it. Perfect for escaping the crowds you sometimes find at other park locations!

Waterrock Knob has the highest elevation on the Parkway. The visitor center is located at 5,820 feet and the summit itself is 6,273 feet. A large open parking area can provide fantastic long-distance views anytime, but can be particularly stunning for sunrise and sunset. Fog and clouds are common here and temperatures are much cooler than in the surrounding valleys. High elevation deciduous trees mix with the spruce/fir forest to create this mountain retreat. Night owls also enjoy Waterrock Knob’s dark skies for star gazing. A visitor center, picnic tables, seasonal restrooms and a hike to the summit make this a hard to beat destination!

The trail to the summit and back is round trip a mile but the elevation gain is 460 feet so take your time and enjoy the walk. The first .2 miles are paved, leading to an uneven and, at times steep, dirt and rock path.

The French Broad River played a major role in this region’s early development. Initially called the “Broad River” by eighteenth-century French hunters and traders, it was later named the French Broad River. With headwaters on Pisgah Ridge twenty miles southeast of here, it flows through the mountains near Asheville and merges with the Holston River at Knoxville.

The French Broad’s wide banks provided a convenient passageway through Western North Carolina’s rugged mountains, so much so that it was once the main thoroughfare between the Carolinas and Tennessee. Often with herds containing thousands, nineteenth-century drovers moved cattle, horses, hogs, ducks and turkeys along this lengthy route to southern markets.

Erected by National Park Service.

Early in the 20th century lumber companies built narrow gauge railroads far into the mountains. This railroad, which was 50 miles long, carried more than 100 million board feet of logs to the mill. It was built in 1919-1920 and a section has been reconstructed here. Logging and fires destroyed most of the virgin forests of the Blue Ridge; the trees you see today are mostly second growth.

Erected by National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.

The rambling stone walls seen nearby are remnants of “hog-walls.” Built in the early 1800’s they provided winter work for slaves of valley plantations and were mended yearly to control the wanderings of half-wild hogs that foraged for acorns and chestnuts. A good example may be seen along the nearby nature trail.

Erected by National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior.

The 8000-acre Curtis Creek tract before you was the first parcel of land acquired under the Weeks Act. This act was signed by President Taft in 1911 and authorized buying parcels of land that would become eastern National Forests. This tract also included several hundred acres that is now the Blue Ridge Parkway around you.

Some of the acquired lands were dense native forests, while others were cut over and very much in need of restoration. The Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests make up more than two-thirds of the lands that border the Parkway in North Carolina. These forests are a continuing legacy of the Weeks Act.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Crabtree Falls Recreation Area is a 253-acre site located on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 15 miles north of Mount Mitchell State Park. Crabtree Falls Recreation Area was previously named Crabtree Meadows because of the crabapple trees and the open areas that were evident on the site. Few of the crabapple trees remain, and in 2010 the recreation area was renamed Crabtree Falls to emphasize the spectacular waterfall. Crabtree Falls is the tallest single waterfall along the Blue Ridge Parkway and is a scenic feature that interests hikers during every season.

In 1863, small-scale logging began in the North Carolina mountains, followed by larger logging operations and the construction of a logging railroad. Some of the loggers brought their families and built cabins in the vicinity, and a small community coalesced around the area near Crabtree Falls. Soon a grist mill, woodworking shop, blacksmith shop, store, Baptist church/schoolhouse, and commissary were built. Logging continued at Crabtree Falls until the 1930s, when much of the land was acquired by the U.S. Forest Service.

Crabtree Falls was one of the areas identified early on as a desirable place for a recreation area by Stanley Abbott, landscape architect of the Blue Ridge Parkway. In 1936, Abbott noted that Crabtree Falls was “an oasis of restful quiet and charm in the midst of some of the most dramatic scenery in North Carolina.” In 1941, the U.S. Forest Service agreed to transfer 160 acres to the National Park Service, with more land acquired later. When the first picnic area and trail system were completed, the Parkway opened the area for public use in 1948. The campground opened in 1954 and proved so popular that a two-week limit on camping had to be imposed. A new 82-site picnic area on the east side of the parkway opened in 1960.

Crabtree Falls Recreation Area is a 253-acre site located on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 15 miles north of Mount Mitchell State Park. Crabtree Falls Recreation Area was previously named Crabtree Meadows because of the crabapple trees and the open areas that were evident on the site. Few of the crabapple trees remain, and in 2010 the recreation area was renamed Crabtree Falls to emphasize the spectacular waterfall. Crabtree Falls is the tallest single waterfall along the Blue Ridge Parkway and is a scenic feature that interests hikers during every season.

In 1863, small-scale logging began in the North Carolina mountains, followed by larger logging operations and the construction of a logging railroad. Some of the loggers brought their families and built cabins in the vicinity, and a small community coalesced around the area near Crabtree Falls. Soon a grist mill, woodworking shop, blacksmith shop, store, Baptist church/schoolhouse, and commissary were built. Logging continued at Crabtree Falls until the 1930s, when much of the land was acquired by the U.S. Forest Service.

Crabtree Falls was one of the areas identified early on as a desirable place for a recreation area by Stanley Abbott, landscape architect of the Blue Ridge Parkway. In 1936, Abbott noted that Crabtree Falls was “an oasis of restful quiet and charm in the midst of some of the most dramatic scenery in North Carolina.” In 1941, the U.S. Forest Service agreed to transfer 160 acres to the National Park Service, with more land acquired later. When the first picnic area and trail system were completed, the Parkway opened the area for public use in 1948. The campground opened in 1954 and proved so popular that a two-week limit on camping had to be imposed. A new 82-site picnic area on the east side of the parkway opened in 1960.

Our Menu

From Delicious Sandwiches to Tempting Salads to our Homemade Desserts our menu has something for everyone.New to our menu are Scratch Made Pastries, Specialty Coffees and Espresso. Our Kid's Menu is sure to please our younger customers. Be sure to save room for one of our scrumptious desserts.

Please note: We are serving Sandwiches from 10am to 3pm & Coffees & Pastries all day. All Additions & Substitutions are an Additional Charge

Specialty Sandwiches

Sandwiches and Wraps are Served with Choice of Slaw, Assorted Kettle Chips, or Seasonal Sides and Pickle Spear

Turkey Gone Wild Wrap

Sliced Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Our Homemade Apple Cranberry Chutney, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Drizzled with Ranch Dressing, Tucked in a Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Wrap

$8.20

The Hot Mama

Seasoned Grilled Chicken Breast Covered with BBQ Sauce, Bacon, Provolone Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, & Ranch on Grilled Wheat Bread

$8.20

Foggy Gap Wrap

Ham, Turkey, Provolone Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Banana Peppers, Olives, Mayo, Drizzled with Italian Dressing, Tucked in a Tomato Basil Wrap

$8.20

Monte Cristo

Seasoned Grilled Chicken Breast, Ham, Swiss, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato & Onion on Grilled Homemade Sourdough

$8.20

Blue Ridge Reuben

Corned Beef, Swiss Cheese, Sauerkraut & Thousand Island Dressing Grilled on Pumpernickel Rye Swirl

$8.20

The Golf Club

Ham, Turkey, Bacon, American Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, & Mayo on Toasted White or Wheat Bread

$8.20

Homemade Meatloaf Sandwich

Our Homemade Meatloaf topped with Pepper Jack Cheese and Home-style Ketchup, Grilled on Homemade Sourdough

$8.20

Firecracker

Roast beef, turkey, ham, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, banana peppers, and horseradish mayo on a grilled hoagie.

$8.20

Simple Solutions

Sandwiches and Wraps are Served with Choice of Slaw, Assorted Kettle Chips, or Seasonal Sides and Pickle Spear

BLT

Fresh Baked Bacon with a Healthy Portion of Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayo on Toasted White Bread

$7.20

Homemade Chicken, Egg or Tuna Salad

Your choice of our Homemade Chicken, Egg, or Tuna Salad on Toasted Homemade Sourdough

$7.20

Soups & Salads

Dressings: Homemade Buttermilk Ranch, Italian, Homemade Soy Ginger, Homemade Raspberry Vinaigrette, Balsmaic Vinaigrette, Homemade Mexi-Ranch or Thousand Island

Pintos & Corn Bread

Chow Chow & Onion upon request

12 Oz Cup $3.2516 Oz Bowl $4.25

Side Salad & Soup

Choice of Dressing. Crackers available upon request

12 Oz Cup $7.2016 Oz Bowl $8.20

Homemade Soups

Crackers available upon request

12 Oz Cup $3.7516 Oz Bowl $4.75

Grilled Cheese & Soup

Choice of Bread & Cheese with a Cup of Soup. Crackers available upon request

12 Oz Cup $7.2016 Oz Bowl $8.20

Top 'O The Mountain Taco Salad

Tortilla Chips with Seasonal Greens Topped with Pintos, Seasoned Ground Beef, Shredded Cheddar, Black Olives, Tomatoes, Onions, Jalapenos, with Sour Cream & Salsa

$8.20

House Greens Salad

Seasonal Greens Topped with Shredded Carrots, Tomatoes, Onions, Cucumbers, Croutons & Choice of Dressing. Add chicken or deli meats or cheese for 2.75

$6.20

Vegetarian Options

Ask Your Server About Our Homemade Soups

Farmers Garden Veggie Wrap

Tomato Basil Wrap Packed with Seasonal Greens Layered with Tomato, Onions, Olives, Cucumbers, Hummus & Drizzled with Balsamic Vinaigrette. Add Grilled Chicken for $2.75

$7.20

Appalachian Black Bean Burger

Our Homemade Black Bean Burger served on Grilled Sourdough Bread With Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Dijon Mustard & Pickles

$8.20

Homemade Pintos

Served with Cornbread. Chow Chow & Onion upon request

12 Oz Cup $3.2516 Oz Bowl $4.25

Kid's Menu

12 & Under Only Please
Served with Choice of assorted Kettle Chips, Fruit, or Applesauce and your Choice of Juice Box or Lemonade

Minature Golf Club

THam, Turkey, and American Cheese on White Bread

$5.20

Small Hot Dog

Small All Beef Hot Dog on a Bun with Ketchup

$5.20

Delectable Desserts

The Perfect Ending to a Meal or just as a Sweet Treat!!

Made From Scratch Cakes

$5.20

Our Special Recipe - Peanut Butter Pie

$4.20

Fresh Baked Cookies

$2.25

Homemade Dark Chocolate Brownies

$2.95

Pastries

Our Pastries are an Ideal Compliment to your Specialty Coffee or Espresso. Made from Scratch & Available All Day!

Blueberry Muffin

$3.99

Orange Cranberry Scone

$3.25

Cinnamon Roll

$4.25

Seasonal Pastries

Please check with your Server

Specialty Coffees

Start Your Day Off Right with our Specialty Coffees. Add a Pastry or Sandwich for a meal.

Latte

Small $3.35Large $3.85

Mocha

Small $3.85Large $4.35

Iced Latte

Small $3.35Large $3.85

Iced Mocha

Small $3.85Large $4.35

Cappuccino

Small $2.85Large $3.35

Espresso

Flavor Shot Add .50
Oat Milk Add .75
Almond Milk Add .50

Single $2.00Double $2.25

Beverages

We offer a variety of beverages to compliment your meal

Sweet Tea, Unsweet Tea, Lemonade, Coffee, Hot Teas, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Diet Dr. Pepper, Juice Box, Milk Box & Bottled Water

$1.99

Glass Bottle Specialty Sodas

Ask Your Server For Details

$2.09