Skyline Drive’s historic groundbreaking: July 18, 1931

Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive sign picture taken by employee of WZRV/WFTR used by permission

Ninety-four years ago, on July 18th a defining moment in Virginia’s landscape and New Deal history took place!

The official groundbreaking of Skyline Drive near Front Royal.

That historic ceremony on July 18, 1931, ushered in the creation of a 105.5mile scenic byway that would stretch along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Although a field survey had begun earlier that year in January, July 18th marked the formal start of construction.

The Federal Drought Relief Administration initially funded the project to create a stunning route and provide jobs for Virginia farmers and apple pickers devastated by the severe 1930 drought.

Through the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) played a pivotal role in the development.

Work included grading slopes, building stone walls and overlooks, planting native vegetation, and constructing guardrails, signs, comfort stations, campgrounds, and picnic areas, efforts that shaped the Drive’s rustic charm and environmental sensitivity.

After the central section between Swift Run Gap and Thornton Gap opened in September 1934.

Subsequent construction pushed Skyline Drive north to Front Royal in October 1936 and south to Jarman Gap by August 1939.

The southernmost stretch connecting to Rockfish Gap was originally built as part of the Blue Ridge Parkway in 1939 and later incorporated into Skyline Drive.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Part of the Parkway reopens

Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive sign picture taken by employee of WZRV/WFTR used by permission

The Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 0 to milepost 198 in Virginia, which had closed due to impacts from Hurricane Helene, reopened at 8 a.m. on Friday, October 11th.

This included the scenic byway stretching from Shenandoah National Park south to Virginia Route 685 – Skyview Drive/Turkey Ridge Road, near Fancy Gap.

Visitor centers at Humpback Rocks, James River, and Peaks of Otter reopened, as power and water are restored to all facilities that were operational prior to the storm.

The Mabry Mill Cultural Site has opened as well, and the Eastern National/America’s National Parks sales outlet is operating daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Otter Creek Campground had closed for the season prior to the storm and will remain closed.
Peaks of Otter Lodge continued to operate without interruption.

The National Park Service expressed hope to reopen the remainder of the parkway in Virginia within the next two weeks.

The entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina continues to be closed as crews perform damage assessments following Hurricane Helene.

Updates are posted on the Blue Ridge Parkway website and through the park’s social media platforms.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

BRP and SNP set up wildlife cameras throughout the park

photo credit Scott Bradley Hesson with permission

In a social media post from the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) it was announced that trail cameras are set up to monitor wildlife.

Both the Shenandoah National Park (SNP) and BRP with 20 to 25 volunteers have set up wildlife trail cameras.

This is part of the volunteer Citizen Science Wildlife project.

The cameras are funded by the BRP foundation and are to be reviewed by wildlife biologist to inventory medium and large sized mammals in the park.

The cameras will be reviewed and moved every three weeks through October.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Officials open investigation after a body was found on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Authorities with the Blue Ridge Parkway and National Park opened an investigating after a body of a male was discovered.

A Parkway press release states that dispatchers were alerted to the discovery Saturday afternoon.

The body was found near the overlook in the Blowing Rock Yadkin Valley milepost 289 area.

The cause of death is still under investigation by state authorities and National Park investigators.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Bear hunt in the Blue Ridge Parkway is suspended

Blue Ridge Parkway social media sites announced that the sections of the park that were closed have reopened.

Officials reopened the section that was closed due to an aggressive bear attack last week.

The bear came at and seemed aggressive toward a couple and their dog last week.

The couple and dog escaped harm but continued acting aggressively at the couple’s car.

Despite the public’s outcry to let the bear live authorities believe euthanization was the best way to protect the public.

After a week long failed search for the animal the effort to find the bear was suspended.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.