The Blue Ridge Mountains have been home for the Saponi, Cherokee, Monacan, and Tutelo indians. They have witnessed battles of the French and the British, and the Blue and the Gray. These mountains have been the outpost of the frontier settlers, and they have given coal and timber for a growing nation. Today, they offer refuge for the miner, recreation for the masses, and retreat for the millionaire.
The Blue Ridge Parkway
For seventy years, this highway known as ‘America's Favorite Scenic Drive’ has delighted tourists with its unparalleled vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains as well as its unique look into America's rural past. Stretching over 450 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway receives more visitors annually than any other property in the National Parks System.
Blue Ridge Parkway Links-
History of the Blue Ridge Parkway
National Park Service Information
Blue Ridge Parkway Vacation Planner
Blue Ridge Parkway Guide Book
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Civilian Conservation Corps-
The Blue Ridge Parkway would not exist without the brave, hardworking men of the CCC who forged this trail in the Great Depression, often with little more than hand tools. The tremendous achievement and great skill of these unsung heroes can be seen in the many structures they created for our enjoyment.
Civilian Conservation Corps Links-
History of the CCC
James F. Justin CCC Museum online
CCC and The National Park Service online book