The Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway. . Two decisions have been particularly crucial in shaping Blowing Rock's destiny. The first of these was the decision by B.B. Dougherty to locate Watauga Academy (to become Appalachian State University) in Boone rather than Blowing Rock. The second was the decision of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1933, to support the construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway. , The Blue Ridge Parkway was a child of the Depression. It was designed to link the Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks and to provide jobs for Southern Appalachia's unemployed. It is America's first national, rural parkway, and along the 469 mile drive, its fortunate traveler encounters beauty, romance, and history. , From the earliest planning stages onward, Blowing Rock lobbied to be part of the Parkway route. Grover Robbins traveled to Washington, Baltimore, and Raleigh to assure Blowing Rock's inclusion. Robbins and other civic leaders recognized the potential for millions of tourists to come to the area via “the greatest scenic road in the world.” An internationally recognized design achievement, portions of this scenic highway were completed over the course of 52 years until the final section was opened around the slopes of Grandfather Mountain in September of 1987. Today, over 20 million annual visitors enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway. , Caption: Ranger giving directions on the Parkway