Afton in Nelson County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Blue Ridge Parkway

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 8, 2026

1. Blue Ridge Parkway Marker

Inscription. Just west of here is the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile-long scenic route that links Shenandoah National Park in VA with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in NC. An internationally recognized feat of landscape architecture and engineering, the parkway was designed to highlight the scenery and cultural heritage of southern Appalachia and to stimulate the region's economy during the Great Depression. This project, led by the National Park Service, relied on the collaboration of federal agencies, New Deal public works programs, private contractors, and the governments of NC and VA. Constructed between 1935 and 1987, the parkway is the longest linear park in the U.S.

Erected 2025 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number W-177.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.

Location. 38° 1.995′ N, 78° 51.119′ W. Marker is in Afton, Virginia, in Nelson County. It is on Interstate 64 at milepost 100.3 east of Three Notched Mountain Highway

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(U.S. 250), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Afton VA 22920, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rockfish Gap Meeting (here, next to this marker); Flight of Richard C. duPont (here, next to this marker); Greenwood-Afton Rural Historic District (a few steps from this marker); Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Laborers (approx. ¼ mile away); The Blue Ridge Railroad (approx. ¼ mile away); Nelson County / Augusta County (approx. 0.3 miles away); Claudius Crozet (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Several markers on display at the Afton Mountain Scenic View pullover from I-64 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 8, 2026

2. Several markers on display at the Afton Mountain Scenic View pullover from I-64

in Afton.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.