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Blue Ridge Parkway

Photo Gallery

Parkway Construction

Construction photos of the Blue Ridge Parkway from the 1930s and 1940s.

Parkway Construction

The Parkway was designed to blend into the existing landscape, but lots of heavy rock removal and blasting was necessary before final landscaping could take place.

Construction
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Surveying the Parkway corridor

Selecting and surveying the Parkway location was the first step of construction.

Survey
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Building bridges across streams

Bridges across streams and drainages involved a special degree of planning and preparation in order to ensure the graceful appearance of the Parkway.

Bridges
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Rock lined drainage ditches on the Parkway

Every detail of Parkway construction, such as these rock lined drainage ditches, added to the overall grace and beauty of the design.

Construction details
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A new look for Ed Mabry's mill

A reflecting pond and a beautifully crafted stone bridge enhanced the beauty of Ed Mabry's mill near Meadows of Dan, Virginia.

Construction
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Visitors enjoy the Parkway views

Visitors in the 1940s enjoyed the new Parkway in much the same way as visitors do today.

Early Parkway visitors
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