Mile Markers and Memories
Blue Ridge Parkway prepares for 75th birthday in 2010

By Jeff Eason

When work began on the Blue Ridge Parkway on Sept. 11, 1935, Watauga County residents had no way of knowing how much the scenic byway would change the economic structure of the region. They did, however, know that the road’s construction and the much-needed jobs it brought with it were an immediate economic blessing to a region hit hard by the Great Depression.

On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, communities up and down the 469-mile length of the road are gathering together to figure out how they will contribute to next year’s celebration.

Nearly 100 people turned out last Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock for a discussion of the planned 75th anniversary. Parkway 75 Committee members Ranger Phil Francis, Leesa Brandon, Dawn Godwin and Becky Anderson gave a presentation designed to let attendees know how their community organizations and businesses could join forces with the Parkway’s birthday next year.

Ideas included official sponsorships of the anniversary event, participation at the official birthday celebration at Cumberland Knob in Virginia on Sept. 11, 2010, various symposia at Appalachian State University and Virginia Tech, the formation of the Appalachian Regional Commission, community spotlights, 75th anniversary merchandise and banners, land protection efforts, web site participation, and others.

The speakers stated that there would be plenty of opportunity for community involvement with the celebration, particularly in the areas of school projects for kids and local contributions to the anniversary Web site.

Park Ranger Phil Francis stated that the government’s current economic stimulus plan might double the Park Service’s budget for road improvements for national parks across the country. The completion of several Blue Ridge Parkway projects, such as the current renovation of the Goshen Creek Bridge in Watauga County, is a priority according to Francis.

“It is our goal to have all 469 miles open during the 75th anniversary,” said Francis.

The Blue Ridge Parkway’s 75th anniversary in 2010 falls directly between two other regional National Park anniversaries. This year the Great Smoky Mountains National Park turns 75. And in 2011, Shenandoah National Park will turn 75.

This fall, PBS will air documentary filmmaker Ken Burns’ six-part series “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” featuring footage of our regional parks as well as others including the Grand Canyon and the Everglades of Florida.

“Just as many of the lands that make up today’s national parks were the spiritual homes for the indigenous tribes who lived there, they had a profound and often spiritual effect on the settlers who first saw them and on the visionaries who fought tirelessly to preserve them as the common property of the American people,” said Burns. “They saw in them a visual, tangible representation of God’s majesty. Our film celebrates the beauty of these parks and the vision and foresight of the men and women who made sure that this land would be preserved.”

For more information on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s 75th Anniversary in 2010, contact Leesa Brandon at lbrandon@nccommerce.com, or visit www.blueridgeparkway75.org.