Blue Ridge Parkway, Fancy Gap, Virginia
Posted by: 
fatcat161
N 36° 39.933 W 080° 41.528
17S E 527512 N 4057815
The Blue Ridge Parkway is considered one of the most popular scenic highway/byways of the National Park System. This access point is near Interstate 77 (exit 8).
Waymark Code: WM6FG5
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 05/26/2009
Views: 3
?The Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles long - 217 miles in Virginia, including the Skyline Drive, and 252 miles in North Carolina. Scenery is not the only thing to view on this Parkway, as the area is rich with culture and history as well.
The Parkway has several recreation areas, some exceeding 6,000 acres. These parks within the Parkway have visitor centers, camp grounds, picnic areas, trails and, in many instances, concessionaire-operated lodges, restaurants, and other facilities.
Additional information on the cultural history visit: (http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2280/stories/63449)
Construction began in Sept. 1935 and continued until the beginning of WWII, at which time it was 2/3 complete. In 1942, the CCC was closed out and work on the remaining sections of the Parkway was sporadic. The work was not completely finished until 1987 when the Linn Cove Viaduct was completed.
The Civilian Conservation Corp began work on several sections of the Parkway simultaneously, with sections being given priority where employment needs were greatest. Contractors were mandated to hire local people whenever possible. Four CCC camps were established at various points along the route to perform the work. The CCC camps were managed in military style with workers being housed in barracks, marched in formation and taking turns with kitchen duties. Almost all of the work on the Parkway, including the rigorous chore of tunnel digging, was done by hand and with very little machinery.
Visit (http://www.nps.gov/blri/historyculture/index.htm)
Program: America's Byways
Website: [Web Link]
Official Name: Blue Ridge Parkway
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Visit Instructions:
Please give a brief description of your visit. Maybe why you were there, what you found interesting, or something along those lines. Photos are also encouraged. Although the only requirement to log a visit to a waymark in this category is to physically visit the location, the photos and extra information you can provide about the area is very helpful to future visitors.